Socio-economic contributions and challenges of urban agriculture practice in Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract The study was conducted to make situational analysis of UA and its implication for socioeconomic improvement for urbanites in Addis Ababa and other four selected regional towns of Bahir Dar, Hawas, Adama and Bishoftu. The study also tried to draw policy implications for demystifying UA in Ethiopia. On the other hand both primary and secondary data was accessed through questionnaire, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and field observation and reviews of published and unpublished materials. The findings of this study show that, urban agriculture benefits the urban residents in general and the practitioners in particular in different was. UA member households are able to have access to fresh and nutrient-dense food and greater dietary diversity. This implies that UA practice has a significant contribution in improving the food security of the UA farmers. The study also indicated that UA practice in Ethiopia has a significant contribution in enhancing practionners income and in turn improving living standard.