Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 12.1 Desired farming arrangements in Zaria
No of
samples
Location preference (%)
Agricultural technique preference (%)
Urban core Peri-urban Horticulture Legumes Cereals Livestock
0.1-1.0
32 (16%)
100
-
15
25
60
-
1.1-2.0
70 (35%)
67
33
17
20
53
10
2.1-3.0
48 (24%)
25
75
17
20
41
22
3.1-4.0
26 (13%)
-
100
-
15
65
20
4.1-5.0
24 (12%)
-
100
-
35
60
5
Total
200 (100%)
38.4
61.6
9.8
23
55.8
11.4
Source: Field work, 2001.
which leads to fewer transportation costs. Farmers' preferences for engaging
in agriculture within urban or peri-urban areas, in addition to their expressed
desire for a variety of farm sizes (Table 12.1), suggest how UA could affect the
urban landscape of Zaria.
Most farmers in Zaria are commuters who live in the city and commute
to their farms in the peri-urban areas during farming seasons. They do not
have an actual farmstead or herds to manage which would necessitate them
migrating to and living in the area during the farming season. Some farmers
acquired land by renting it, usually for one farming season at a time. And
although renting land was seen as theoretically feasible, in terms of land
security it is weak because leases are not always renewed by landlords, who
will not rent to the same person again if they receive a better offer.
A typology of the spatial patterns of urban agriculture
As with most cities, UA in Zaria is commonly employed on different types of
vacant land regardless of whether it is private, public or semi-public. UA is
also practised in other areas where access to land is easy such as in
commercial areas, industrial areas, along rights-of-way, floodplains and other
open spaces. This project prepared a typology of UA land uses which includes
the following:
Urban agriculture on public and semi-public land: Agricultural activities in
any part of the township depend on how much of the land has been
developed and upon the control measures adopted by those institutions
owning the land. Most public and semi-public lands are farmed. The
institutions that own the land include the Nigerian Railway Corporation,
Ahmadu Bello University, the Nigeria Police Academy, the army depot,
the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, the Federal College of
Education, military barracks, missionary areas, state polytechnics and
secondary schools and other institutions. The dominant crops are cereals,
legumes and tubers, but horticulture is also practised.
.
