WASTEWATER REUSE FOR URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE: WHY IT'S NOT HAPPENING SOON

Abstract

Urban and peri urban agriculture (UPA) forms a key component of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) special program for food security. UPA is widely upheld as a possible solution to the increased food insecurity which is linked to urban population expansion. In developing economies such as Kenya, increased urban population is highly pronounced unlike in other developed economies. This is attributed to high birth rates, and the increasing rural-urban migration, leading to expansion of urban slums with high levels of urban poverty, unemployment, food insecurity and malnutrition. With UPA seen as an opportunity for improving food supply, local economy, health conditions and environmental sustainability, it's imperative to adopt such measures. However, limited sources of water in the urban cities are seen to limit pervasiveness of UPA despite its well-known benefits. In this study, investigation of the potential for an eco-friendlily UPA (EcoUPA) was carried out in Nairobi Kenya. Using stratified random sampling to identify respondents, carrying out field surveys and administering questionnaires to establish the existing water sources, wastewater treatment systems and the utilization of these systems for reuse of the wastewater. Further, the satisfaction levels of the respondents with their wastewater treatment systems, their openness to change, and the methods preferable to them were also determined. From the study, it was determined out of 300 respondents interviewed only 66 (22%) re-used wastewater and only 54 of them reused it for crops production. Ninety - eight (33%) of respondent were interested in getting information on wastewater treatment systems that allow reuse of water and 124 (41%) respondents were willing to pay for the new system.