Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 12.6 Occupational status of urban farmers surveyed in Zaria
Occupation
Number of respondents
Percentage
Public and private sector
Self-employed
Retired workers
Unemployed
66
42
24
68
33
21
12
34
Total
200
100
Source: Urban field work, 2001.
Table 12.7 shows how much farm produce is consumed and sold by urban
farmers. Farmers and their families consume approximately 81 per cent of
their own produce and sell the rest. This situation - where UA is used
primarily for sustenance - may be attributed to a poor food distribution
system, as well as an increase in food prices. In addition, when families are
large, there is more food consumption, so only a little produce can be sold to
acquire farm inputs or cooking ingredients.
Implications of planning laws and regulations on
urban agriculture
Physical-planning laws in Nigeria ignore UA. Thus, despite the potential
benefits, UA is not recognized as an important activity. In fact, development-
control measures often have a negative impact on the development of
agriculture. Some of the problems include reductions in farm size (and thus a
reduction in urban farmers' income) and an increased food insecurity in Zaria.
Table 12.7 Distribution of farm produce consumed and sold by urban
farmers in Zaria
Age group (years)
Number
of
respondents
Average
family
size
Annual
percentage of
own produce
consumed
Annual
percentage
of own
produce sold
28-33
34-39
40-45
46-51
52-57
58-63
64-69
24
32
54
38
20
18
14
3
5
7
9
12
13
12
75
77
70
86
81
79
88
25
23
30
14
19
21
12
Total
200
7.6
80.7
19.3
Source: Field work, 2001.
