The Contribution of Urban Agriculture to Food Security of Individual Urban Farmers in Yeka Sub City, Addis Ababa

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the contribution of urban agriculture to food security of households in lVoredas [Districts} 1, 2 and 3 of Jeka SubCity, Addis Ababa. The research covered the entire population (86) as the size was manageable. The primary data were collected mainly through household survey focus group discussion (FGD), and key informant interview. Descriptive statistics .frequency and the Pearson correlation co4ficient were used for the analysis of quantitative data. Data .from key informants and focus group discussion were transcribed, thematically classified, analysed and interoperated . The research followed purposive sampling technique in order to select the study area. As it contains the largest number of individual formers practising urban agriculture compared to the other Sub-Cities. World Food Programme Food Consumption Score Analytical Tool was employed to measure the food security status of a given household Findings showed that 7 4. 4% if the households studied were food-secure while 24.4% and 1.2% of the households were mildly and severely food insecure, respectively. It was also revealed that there is sign!ficant relationship between food security status and income. Urban agriculture contributes to one-third of the total income if the household On top of urban agricultur~ urban formers in Jeka Sub-City of Addis Ababa earn their income .from informal livelihood activities. Urban agriculture proved to play a sign!ficant role in improving the households 'food security and income. It has provided employment, cheap food and nutrition. Lack if farmland and water were the main challenges of urban formers. Institutional support makes a dilforence in improving urban formers productivity and thereby their food security status. Agricultural inputs like land and water are serious challenges of the urban formers. Hence_ in consultation with urban formers, relevant government offices and non-governmental organisations that are active in the area have to work in better integration and attempt to address the challenge if urban formers. Unused and wasted plots of land should be identified and be provided to the urban formers. Training has to be given based on needs. These minimise waste if resources and help utilise the scarce resources for the improvement of the sector and to the benifit if the urban formers. 

Keywords: Urban agriculture, food security, individual urban farmers, Yeka Sub-City, Addis Ababa