Assessment of the contribution of urban agriculture to employment, income and food security in Kenya: A case of Kisumu municipality

Abstract

Kenya’s long – term development strategy (Vision 2030) has prioritised agricultural sector to drive the growth, although it does not mention urban agriculture. In 2009, the Kenya government prepared and approved National Land Policy. Prior to the passage of the National Land Policy, urban agriculture was not designated as an urban land use. Therefore, the National Land Policy creates a basis for systematic development of urban agriculture in the country. The main theme of this study is to assess the role of urban agriculture in income, employment and food supply. The study involved a survey of 194 urban farmers in Kisumu municipality. The results of the study show that urban agriculture is a manifestation of urban dualism. Most urban residents (60%) live in the informal settlements lacking basic infrastructure and services. In addition, a similar proportion of the residents live in poverty. Most urban farmers and their employees receive very low income, with a mean monthly income of US$ 135 (US$ 0.64 per person per day), which is below the acceptable one dollar a day per person. Urban agriculture supplements food requirements of the urban poor on the one hand and a source of income for the few commercial urban farmers on the other. Key words: Urban, agriculture, employment, income, food security, Kenya