An analysis of the profitability and choice of metropolitan waste-use in urban agriculture of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The study attempts to analyse the profitability of urban agriculture using metropolitan organic waste in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. The results show that the enterprise is profitable, and that output price is the most important determinant of the maximum variable profit. Other price factors, specifically planting materials, labour, and metropolitan waste (organic manure), account for less. Further analysis shows that level of education, age of farmers, per capita farm income, and household size are important determinants of choice of urban agriculture for food security and improvement of environmental quality. The chances of farmers willing to pay for urban agriculture will increase when their level of education and per capita income increase, while the chances of not willing to pay for such venture will increase when their ages and household size increase. The creation of more market outlets for urban produced foods is recommended, among others.