Promoting urban agriculture for sustainable poverty alleviation in Nigeria: Issues for appropriate extension policy

Abstract

The increasing spate of rural-urban migration has remained a critical issue with far-reaching consequences on the agricultural and national development. Several policies guiding extension service delivery have focused primarily on the rural sector since agriculture has been recognized as a rural industry. This paper takes a look at promoting urban agriculture for sustainable poverty alleviation in Nigeria with special focus on appropriate policy to enhance extension service delivery for urban agriculture. It examined the roles agriculture is expected to play in poverty alleviation in Nigeria and further identified workable ways of promoting urban agriculture through effective extension service, tailored to attract the interest and patronage of Nigerian urban poor. It was therefore recommended among others that extension agencies should organize an effective urban extension services that guides and assists smallholder urban farmers with needed information on what types of food products in demand in urban areas so that they can respond appropriately.