Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 12.2 Urban land devoted for agriculture in Zaria
Urban land use
Land devoted for agric
(ha)
Percentage of land
currently used for UA
Residential areas
Commercial areas
Industrial areas
Public and semi-public spaces
Open spaces, parks and playfield
Roads and streets
Railways
Airports
7316
399
534
2668
1061
2809
268
300
54
50
67
58
56
65
63
47
Total
15,357.7
58 (mean)
Source: Urban field work, 2001.
This disadvantage has prevented them from forming cooperative bodies,
political and social groups that are formally recognized by the authorities.
Also, it has hindered farmers from negotiating for technological
improvements and asking for financial and credit assistance from the
government or private-sector banks. In fact, UA is not recognized by the
government. The ramifications of this create a great deal of uncertainty about
the future of UA in Zaria.
Determinants of urban agricultural patterns in Zaria
As Table 12.2 shows, much of the land proposed in the master plan for
Zaria's urban area is being used for agriculture. The development of
agriculture has been encouraged by the availability of land (under many
different jurisdictions) in the urban area, the abundance of incidental vacant
land, socio-economic factors and so on.
Availability of land
Most of the land in Zaria's urban area has remained undeveloped regardless
of its proposed use. As a result, these lands become attractive areas for
Table 12.3 Mode of land acquisition for urban agriculture in Zaria
Mode
No of respondents
Percentages
Inheritance/gift
56
28
Rent/hire
89
44
Leasehold
41
21
Conversion of a building plot to a farm
14
7
Total
200
100
Source: Urban field work, 2001.
