IMPACT OF URBAN AGRICULTURE PRACTICES ON LIVELIHOOD IN

MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

*Jerry Habila1, Ibelieve Isaac2, Yakatun, Mohammed M3, Onwuka

Ethelberth O4 & Uzor Chidi A5.

1
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Nigeria
2
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Minna
3
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru
4
Department of Building Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Nigeria
5
Department of Estate Management, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Nigeria

*
Corresponding Author: jerroh01@gmail.com (+230766410001)

ABSTRACT

The recent shift in attention from rural to urban agriculture is closely linked to the global
transformation of humanity to a predominantly urban specie. Urban dwelling is doubtlessly
associated with high cost of living, unemployment and poverty. This study aims at
investigating the livelihood impacts of urban agricultural practices in Minna, Nigeria, with a
view to establishing the contributions of urban farming towards job creation and poverty
reduction, and the objectives were to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the
farmers, to identify the major agricultural practices and livelihood asset base of farmers in
Minna. Stratified sampling technique was used to administer questionnaires to 384 urban
farmers in Minna and the data obtained was descriptively analysed. The study reveals that
urban farming reduces unemployment, contributes to livelihood securitisation, reduces food
insecurity and ultimately leads to the attainment of urban and environmental sustainability.
However, it indicates that lack of access to credit facilities of the farmers and inadequate
markets are some of the major factors militating against the broadening of their livelihood
strategy. The study recommends financial empowerment and human capacity building
programmes for the urban farmers in Minna.
Keywords: Food security, Livelihood, Sustainable development, Urban farming, Urban
sustainability

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The 21st century is a century of urbanisation. Presently, more than 50% of the total population

of humanity lives in areas that has been classified as urban (UN-Habitat, 2008). This has

shifted emphasis and attention from the rural space to the urban space. It is however,

important to note that the current unprecedented pace of urbanisation is accompanied by

several negative problems (Baud, 2000; Orsini, Kahane, Nono-Womdim and Gianquinto,

2013). One major impact is that human population growth is associated with a rise in food

demand. The current spate of urbanisation requires cities to be self-sufficient in the

production of its needs, including food. Urban agriculture can help towards reducing food

security crisis in urban areas.

Urban agriculture may be defined as the production of crops and domesticated animals in and

around cities for the direct consumption of the urban residents. In the opinion of Tornaghi

(2014), it is the practice of animal husbandry, crop production and food distribution within

the geographic boundaries of cities. The popularity of the concept and practice of urban

agriculture has increases in the last few decades (Despommier, 2013; Orsini et al., 2013;

Tornaghi, 2014; Game and Primus, 2015). Urban agriculture is a self-sustaining approach of

the city residents to produce the food it consumes in the city and or its suburbs. It helps

towards improving the nutritional intake and food security status of urban residents (van

Veenhuizen, 2006). Furthermore, Food and Agricultural Organisation ([FAO] 2010) opined

that urban and peri-urban agriculture improves the possibility of attaining the target of

greener cities.

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Statement of Research Problem

From the foregoing, it can be seen that urban agricultural practices have been studied to a

considerable extent at global and national levels. However, it is evident that city-level studies

of urban agriculture in Niger State is relatively scarce. The only exception to this are Sanusi’s

(2014) study of the livelihood opportunities in peri- urban hurticulture in Minna and Salami,

Akawu and Abutu’s (2020) study of the role of indigenous practices on sustainable urban

agriculture and food security in Minna. In all, none of these studies assessed the livelihood

effects of urban agricultural practices. This is so, despite the importance of urban agriculture

in urban areas which had necessitated the allocation of agricultural land use as one of the

major urban land uses. This presents a vital research gap that needs to be covered. This study,

therefore, is an attempt to cover this identified research gap.

Aim and Objectives

This study aims at investigating the livelihood impacts of urban agricultural practices in

Minna, Nigeria, with a view to establishing the contributions of urban farming towards job

creation and poverty reduction. In order to achieve the aim, the following objectives will be

adopted:

i. To determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents

ii. To identify the major agricultural practices by farmers in the study area

iii. To determine the major livelihood asset base of urban farmers in Minna

The Study Area

Minna, the study area is the capital city of Niger State, Nigeria. It is located between latitude

9’24N – 9’48N and longitude 6’25E – 6’45E. It was originally inhabited by the Gbagyis, an

ethnic group known for their farming practice. However, owing to the present administrative

function of the city, it has assumed the status of a multi-ethnic city – inhabited by diverse

ethnic groups from across Nigeria. The location of Minna in Nigeria is shown in Figure 1.

3
Figure 1: Location of Minna in Nigeria
Source: Authors’ digitisation (2022)

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

It has been argued that urban agriculture is a global practice (de Bon, Parrot and Moustier,

2010; Tornaghi, 2014). However, the practice of urban farming is more pronounced in the

cities of developing countries (FAO, 2010; Orsini et al., 2013). It is important to stress that

urban agriculture occurs at different levels and scales, involving backyard gardening, rooftop

gardening, beehives, pens, poultry farms and the likes (Mougeot, 2005; Viljoen, 2005;

Redwood, 2008; Nordahl, 2009). It has been argued by FAO (2002) that food security is

attained when “all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to

sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an

active and healthy life”. This is hardly attainable with total dependence on the rural areas for

4
food production and supply. There is a burgeoning need to participate, strengthen and

enhance urban food production to achieve the goal of urban sustainability. In fact, Pearson,

Pearson and Pearson (2010) noted that urban agriculture is a viable approach towards

achieving all dimensions of sustainable development in cities.

In Africa in general and sub-Saharan Africa in particular, urban agriculture employs between

35-80% of the total urban (Cour, 2001; Parrot, Kahane, Nounamo and Nantchouang, 2016; de

Bon, 2010), and there is no evidence to suggest a possible decrease in this figure (World

Bank, 2007). This means that, like rural and mainstream agriculture, urban farming

contributes significantly to job creation and livelihood development in African cities.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

This study adopts the longitudinal survey design approach to the collection of data required

on impact. The present population of Minna is 439,612 (Population Stat, 2019). Out of this

population, stratified sampling technique was used to select 384 participants (urban farmers)

for this study using the sample size determination approach of Taherdoost (2017), primary

data was used for this study. The primary data were obtained from the urban farmers in

Minna with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered

to the respondents by the researcher and his field assistants. The questionnaire was kept as

brief as possible to guarantee optimal response and retrieval rate as too lengthy questionnaire

may yield little or poor responses. The descriptive approach was adopted to describe the

impact and livelihood effects of urban farming in Minna. Thus, data presentation follows the

use of tables and charts.

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4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Socio-demographic Characteristics of the respondents

The socio-demographic attributes of the urban farmers in Minna are summarised in Table 1.

55.73% of the urban farmers in the study area that participated in this study are males, while

44.27% are females. This indicates a close range in participation in urban farming between

men and women in Minna, Nigeria. Therefore, urban agriculture is adopted by every willing

and able resident without gender discrimination. With regards to the age of the farmers, only

those that are 18years and above were included in the survey. However, it was found that

majority (44.01%) of the urban farmers in Minna are between 38-47years old. This explains

the high proportion of married farmers (54.69%) in the study area. Being married implies that

the farmers take additional responsibilities to their own. Therefore, participation in urban

farming may be capable of providing the necessary inputs required for the upkeep of the

farming households.

Table 1: Socio-demographic Characteristics of the respondents

Frequency Percentage
GENDER
Male 214 55.73
Female 170 44.27
Total 384 100.00
AGE
18-27years 86 22.40
28-37years 74 19.27
38-47years 169 44.01
48-57years 38 9.90
> 57years 17 4.43
Total 384 100.00
MARITAL STATUS
Single 41 10.68
Married 210 54.69
Divorced 89 23.18
Separated 28 7.29
Widowed 16 4.17
Total 384 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

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The livelihood skills of the urban farmers in the study area are indicated in Table 2. It can be

seen that majority (67.97%) of the farmers are skilled in crop processing. This indicates that

they have the experience required to process their farm produce without incurring additional

processing cost. What this means is that the farmers in the study area tries as much as

possible to achieve higher output in terms of profit with little cost.

Table 2: Major Urban agriculture practices by Farmers

Major Urban agriculture practices by Farmers Frequency Percentage
Crop processing 261 67.97
Livestock/poultry treatment 55 14.32
Fish hatchery 12 3.13
Tractor driving 28 7.29
Handling of harvester 28 7.29
Total 384 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

Impact of new agric skills on the educational level of farmers

Table 3a shows the educational attainment of the urban farmers in Minna, Nigeria. The Table

indicates that 10.16% of the farmers have acquired informal education. It should, however, be

noted that informal education within the context of this study denotes Qur’anic/Arabic

education. The result also indicates that 56.50% of the farmers in Minna have obtained

secondary certificate and above, with up to 11.46% of them reporting to have graduated from

higher institution of learning. This indicates that participation in urban farming does not

really denote low educational attainment.

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Table 3a: Educational Attainment of farmers before urban agriculture practices

Major Urban Educational Attainment of farmers before urban agriculture practices

agriculture Informal Primary Secondary Diploma/NCE HND/Degree
practices by Education School School
Farmers Certificate Certificate Total

Crop processing 24 61 55 101 20 261

Livestock/poultry 8 11 21 5 10 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 2 3 3 2 2 12
Tractor driving 1 7 4 9 7 28
Handling of 4 2 8 9 5 28
harvester
Total 39 84 91 126 44 384

% Distribution 10.16 21.88 23.70 32.80 11.46 100.00

Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

Table 3b shows the educational attainment of the urban farmers in Minna, Nigeria. The Table

indicates that less than 1% of the farmers are still having the informal education as their

status, informal education within the context of this study denotes Qur’anic/Arabic education.

The result also indicates that after participating in major urban agricultural practices, 52.09%

of the farmers in Minna have obtained secondary certificate and above, with up to 45.31% of

them reporting to have graduated from higher institution of learning. This indicates that

educational attainment have influence in the level of participation in urban farming in the

study area.

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Table 3b: Educational Attainment of farmers after urban agriculture practices

Major Urban Educational Attainment of farmers after urban agriculture practices

agriculture Informal Primary Secondary Diploma/NCE HND/Degree
practices by Education School School
Farmers Certificate Certificate Total

Crop processing 0 0 21 123 117 261

Livestock/poultry 2 7 8 21 17 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 1 0 3 2 6 12
Tractor driving 0 0 0 8 20 28
Handling of 0 0 4 10 14 28
Harvester
Total 3 7 36 164 174 384
% Distribution 0.78 1.82 9.38 42.71 45.31 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

Social Capital Base

Urban agriculture in Minna also improves the social capital of the farmers. Table 4 reveals

that participation in urban faming helps in establishment of farming cooperatives (30.73%),

creation of new ties (20.57%) and group membership (29.43%). Social capital is a very

valuable asset whose importance to the existence and wellbeing of man cannot be

overemphasised. By helping to establish and maintain social capital, urban agriculture is a

highly sustainable livelihood strategy which has the ability to bounce back from shocks and

stresses.

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Table 4: Impact of Major Urban agriculture practices Social Capital Base of farmers
Social Capital Base of farmers
Major Urban
agriculture Creation of new Strengthening Establishment Membership
Ties of existing of farming of
practices by
ties cooperatives cooperatives Total
Farmers
Crop processing 41 60 80 77 261

Livestock/poultry 19 8 15 16 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 3 2 3 4 12
Tractor driving 8 1 9 10 28
Handling of 8 3 11 6 28
harvester
Total 79 74 118 113 384
% Distribution 20.57 19.27 30.73 29.43 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

Impact on Physical Capital Base of farmers

Participation in urban farming also expands the physical capital structure of the urban farmers

in Minna. The result in Table 5 shows that urban farming has contributed to ownership of an

automobile (33.85%), ownership of agricultural storage facilities (19.54%), ownership of

farm machinery (13.54%) and ownership of residential housing (8.59%). These are viable

assets that can be converted to liquid capital in times of livelihoods shocks. However, it is

worthy of note that only about 24.48% of the urban farmers in the study area own a

farmhouse. This implies that the post-harvest management of their farm produce is done at

home.

Table 5: Impact of Major Urban agriculture practices on Physical Capital Base of farmers
Physical Capital Base of farmers

10
 Major Urban Ownership Residential Ownership Ownership Ownership
agriculture of farm housing of an of a of storage
practices by machinery ownership automobile farmhouse facilities Total
Farmers
Crop processing 39 21 99 64 38 261
Livestock/poultry 4 5 14 13 19 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 2 2 3 4 1 12
Tractor driving 4 2 5 7 10 28
Handling of 3 3 9 6 7 28
harvester
Total 52 33 130 94 75 384
% Distribution 13.54 8.59 33.85 24.48 19.54 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

Impact on Natural Capital Base of farmers

The urban farmers in Minna (47.92%) reported that they own at least a piece of land for

farming and (52.08%) of the farmers have a plot of land for residential housing construction

as seen in (Table 6). This shows that participation in urban farming enhances their natural

capital base. These natural capitals are valuable assets that can easily be converted to cash

when the need arises. More so, these assets are very essential in livelihood development. For

instance, farmlands are necessary for farming livelihood, while residential plots are valuable

assets in real estate development. This implies that the farmers can easily diversify their

livelihood into real estate development, thereby improving the chances of livelihood security

(and consequently, reducing livelihood vulnerability) among the farmers.

Table 6: Impact of Major Urban agriculture practices on Natural Capital Base of farmers
Natural Capital Base of farmers
Major Urban
agriculture practices Ownership of farmland Ownership of building plot

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 by Farmers Total
Crop processing 120 141 261
Livestock/poultry 31 24 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 6 6 12
Tractor driving 10 18 28
Handling of harvester 17 11 28
Total 184 200 384
% Distribution 47.92 52.08 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

Impact on Financial Capital Base of Farmers

The result in Table 7a indicates the monthly income level of farmers before the

commencement of urban agriculture practices, it shows that 13.80% of the farmers earn less

than N20,000 monthly, while about 13.28% earn between N20,000-N30,000 per month. On

the aggregate, about 13% of the farmers earn below N30,000 which is the approved minimum

wage of Nigeria. This indicates that most (87%) of urban farmers in Minna earn considerably

above the national average minimum wage per month. Therefore, it is a viable way towards

improving the financial freedom and advancement of urban residents.

Table 7a: Financial Capital Base of farmers before Urban agriculture practices using
Monthly income range of farmers

Major Urban Monthly income range of farmers before in Naira value

agriculture Less than N20,00 - N30,005 - N40,005 - More
practices by N20,000 N30,000 N40,000 N50,000 than
Farmers N50,000 Total

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 Crop processing 30 35 101 52 43 261
Livestock/poultry 7 6 20 10 12 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 3 2 3 2 2 12
Tractor driving 7 3 5 9 4 28
Handling of 6 5 9 5 3 28
Harvester
Total 53 51 138 78 64 384
% Distribution 13.80 13.28 35.68 20.57 16.67 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

The result in Table 7b indicates the monthly income level of farmers after the commencement

of urban agriculture practices, it shows that 3.91% of the farmers earn less than N20,000

monthly, while about 5.73% earn between N20,000-N30,000 per month. On the aggregate,

less than 5% of the farmers earn below N30,000, the approved minimum wage of Nigeria.

This indicates that the commencement of urban agricultural practices in the study area has led

to advancement in the level of income of the farmers. Majority of the farmers (95%) of urban

farmers in Minna earn above the approved minimum wage monthly. Therefore, urban

agricultural practices in urban areas is considered to be a viable way of improving the

financial status of urban residents especially in Minna.

Table 7b: Financial Capital Base of farmers after Urban agriculture practices using
Monthly income range of farmers

Major Urban Monthly income range of farmers after in Naira value

agriculture Less than N20,00 - N30,005 - N40,005 - More
practices by N20,000 N30,000 N40,000 N50,000 than
Farmers N50,000 Total
Crop processing 10 14 34 51 152 261

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Livestock/poultry 2 4 10 24 15 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 0 1 2 5 4 12
Tractor driving 3 1 3 12 9 28
Handling of 0 2 4 7 15 28
Harvester
Total 15 22 53 99 195 384
% Distribution 3.91 5.73 13.80 25.78 50.78 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

Major Obstacles to urban agriculture practices of farmers

Table 8 indicates that the major (28.39%) obstacle to urban farming is lack of access to credit

facilities for by majority of urban farmers in the study area, this may be an indication of poor

governmental and/or institutional support for urban farming. Inadequate markets (23.96%),

Inadequate machineries (20.31%), inadequate finance (15.62%) and changing urban policies

and regulations (11.72%). As Table 8 reveals, inadequate finance and changing urban

policies and regulations does not constitute a hindering factor in the practice of urban

agriculture in Minna. This implies that access to credit loans and available and viable markets

for selling agricultural produce should be made available to all urban farming in the study

area for effective delivery of agricultural produce to other places.

Table 8: Major Obstacles to urban agriculture practices of farmers in Minna

Major Obstacles to urban agriculture practices of farmers

Obstacles to urban agriculture practices

Major urban
agriculture Inadequate Changing Inadequate Inadequate Lack of
practices of Finance Urban machineries markets access to Total

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 farmers policies credit
and facilities
regulations
Crop processing 31 24 59 67 80 261
Livestock/poultry 19 5 10 16 5 55
treatment
Fish hatchery 3 2 2 1 4 12
Tractor driving 4 4 3 6 11 28
Handling of 3 10 4 2 9 28
harvester
Total 60 45 78 92 109 384
% Distribution 15.62 11.72 20.31 23.96 28.39 100.00
Source: Author’s Field Survey, 2022

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The rising pace of urbanisation in the Global South is accompanied with high rate of urban

poverty and unemployment. The formal sector of the third world countries, particularly

Nigeria, is incapable of employing all the urban residents. Yet, urban areas in Nigeria and

elsewhere are characterised by high cost of living. Similarly, there is a rising recognition of

the problem of urban food insecurity. This has engendered the adoption of urban agriculture

as both a livelihood strategy and a way of offsetting the food security challenges of cities.

This study has shown that participation in urban agriculture improves the financial, human

and social capital base of the urban farmers, while contributing to the enhancement of their

physical capital bases. More so, it reveals that the adoption of urban agriculture reduces urban

food stress to a significant level. However, the urban farmers lack adequate policy and

financial support to improve and widen their livelihood strategy. Therefore, this study

recommends empowerment programmes and establishment of government grants towards

improving the production capacity of the farmers in Minna.

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