Perceived effects of urbanization on rural farm households in Adama District, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, the rapid growth of urban areas has increased pressure on rural farmland owners. The study aimed at assessing the variations in perceived effects of urbanization on rural farm households based on their proximity to urban areas and identifying the socioeconomic factors that influence these variations. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 397 households for the study, with 148 households located near the urban centre and 249 of them situated significantly further from the urban area. The ordered logistic regression model was utilized to analyze the perceived effects and the factors contributing to the variation of viewpoints. The results revealed a significant difference between the two categories of farm households regarding their perception of urbanization. Those located far away from urban centres perceived positive effects of urbanization on various aspects, including increased income diversification, agricultural production, creation of job opportunities, and community relationships, with an average mean value of 3.25 out of 5. On the other hand, farm households near urban areas perceived these effects negatively, with an average mean value of 2.47. Furthermore, the ordered logistic regression analysis results indicated that the distance from the urban centre, educational status of households, family sizes, and farmland sizes significantly impact the perception of urbanization among farm households near urban centres. Therefore, when planning urbanization projects, policymakers and stakeholders are suggested to consider the concerns and perceptions of rural farmers.