CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The rapid rate of urban growth in Third World countries is a cause for concern. Whereas in 1960, only 22% of the population of Third World countries lived in Urban Area, the figure is projected to increase to 44% by the new millennium (Anderson 1994). The situation is particularly alarming in Sub-Saharan Africa where, although about 70% of the population still live and work in rural areas, the average annual urban growth rate of 4.8% between 1980 and 1993 was more rapid (World Bank, 1995).

Past experience of cities in developed countries suggest that the future sustainable development and political stability of the Third World cities will depend upon food supplies for burgeoning populations (Peddison et al 1990; Walton and Seddon, 1994). There has been a growing interest in recent years in the considerable potential of agriculture in and around the large cities of Sub-Saharan African (SSA), as one possible element in solving the problem of future food supply. The International Food Policy Research Institute opined that “One way to help ward off hunger among low-income households of the future may be through ‘Urban Agriculture’, the farming of small plot of land available in urban environments or on the perimeter of the city” (IFPRI, 1996).
Eqziabler et al (1994), stress the importance of urban agriculture for many reasons, including provision of employment, food supply, supplementing income and producing important nutrition not normally available to low-income households. Urban Agriculture, defined as production in the home or plots in urban or Peri-urban areas, is more widespread and important than generally thought. Some believe that it is not only potentially significant source of income, food, energy and micro nutrients for family members but that it can also benefit the environment by providing a way to use solid waste and water.

The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) defined Urban