Urban Vegetable Farming Research Articles

Safeguarding Sustainability: Exploring Safety Practice Adherence among Urban Vegetable Farmers in Ghana

Safeguarding Sustainability: Exploring Safety Practice Adherence among Urban Vegetable Farmers in Ghana

Toward the elimination of NTDs: application of cost-effective and sensitive molecular environmental surveillance tools—a pilot study

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over a billion people worldwide. The 2021–2030 NTD road map calls for innovative and highly efficient interventions to eliminate or significantly reduce the burden of NTDs. These include sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic techniques for disease surveillance. Environmental surveillance has been employed effectively in this regard to measure and track infectious diseases such as polio on a population-wide scale. In this study, environmental surveillance was used as a cost-effective tool for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in Accra, Ghana, in an area that is populated by urban vegetable farmers. The activities of urban farmers expose them to the risk of STH infection, as well as impact the transmission in urban areas since leafy vegetables could carry infective stages of STHs. A total of 32 wastewater samples were collected from eight points on the Nima Creek (the main source of irrigation for the farmers) over a 7-week period. Real-time PCR and melt peak analysis were used to screen four STHs (i.e., Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Trichuris trichiura). This study revealed that A. lumbricoides (17 out of 32 wastewater samples, 53.3%) was the most prevalent STH, followed by A. duodenale (31.2%), T. trichiura (21.9%), and N. americanus (12.5%). Environmental surveillance helps in the detection of the types of STH pathogens circulating within the community and in the design of mass drug administration (MDA) strategies. This surveillance technique can also provide preliminary information for environmental modifications to help reduce STH transmission in line with the One Health approach recommended in the 2021–2030 NTD road map.

Enrichment, Bioaccumulation and Health Risks of Trace Metals in Soils and Leafy Vegetables Grown on the Banks of the Ugandan Lifeline River, River Rwizi

Urban vegetable farming in wetlands and riverbanks are common features of Ugandan cities. However, urbanization has led to various anthropogenic activities that can lead to the pollution of water resources, enrichment of pollutants in soils and, consequently, pollutant bioaccumulation in edible tissues of plants cultivated on such soils. In this study, we report on the levels of six trace metals (TMTs) in 75 samples of leafy vegetables (Brassica oleracea L., Spinacia oleracea L., Amaranthus hybridus L., Cucurbita pepo L. and Solanum nigrum L.) and soils (n = 75) grown on the banks of River Rwizi, the second longest river in Uganda only after the Nile River. The concentrations of TMTs (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu) in edible vegetable tissues and soils were quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentrations (in mg kg−1) of the TMTs in the soil samples were 205–373.84 (Mn), 12.72–65.04 (Zn), 0.26–0.42 (Cd), 3.36–16.80 (Pb), 5.96–25.06 (Cr) and 2.83–35.27 (Cu). In vegetable samples, the concentrations ranged from 43.25 to 110.00 (Mn), 1.08 to 1.83 (Cd), 41.06 to 71.20 (Zn), 4.31 to 6.16 (Pb), 0.65 to 0.81 (Cr) and 5.70 to 14.35 (Cu). With the exception of Mn and Cr, the rest of the TMTs were bioaccumulated in the edible vegetable tissues (bioconcentration factors = 1.03 to 10.71). Considering chronic daily intake through ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation of the TMTs in soils from the banks of River Rwizi, there are no potential non-cancer and carcinogenic health effects that could be experienced in both adults and children. Consumption of leafy vegetables could pose both non-cancer health risks (from ingestion of Zn, Pb, Cr, Mn and Cd) and cancer health risks (due to intake of Cd) in both children and adults. There is therefore a need to enforce regulations to mitigate the pollution of River Rwizi for a more sustainable economic development.

Information Needs and Sources Used by Urban Vegetable Farmers. A Case of Vegetable Farmers in Morogoro Municipality

While the role of information in improving vegetable farming in urban areas is widely acknowledged in the literature, its potential cannot be realized unless the information needs that enlighten the stakeholders about appropriate information sources are known. This is because vegetable farming is an information-intensive endeavor full of uncertainties. The study investigated the perceived implication of extension services, information needs, and sources used by vegetable farmers in Morogoro urban Tanzania. A quantitative method research design was used to collect data from 60 respondents. A questionnaire was used in the data collection process. Descriptive analysis was used for analyzing quantitative data. The findings show farmers needed information on pest and disease control, amount and type of fertilizer to apply, produce market, and storage. Fellow farmers (friends and colleagues) ranked as an important source of information followed by public extension officers, researchers, NGOs, input suppliers, Nanenane exhibitions, individual farmers, social networks, books and fliers, and hired extension officers.Recommendations have been provided that, equip vegetable farmers with the up-to-date knowledge and skills to shape farmers’ knowledge through various extension trainings in their localities, by doing this, farmers will increase awareness of multiple challenges about vegetable production. Employing more skilled extension officers with expertise in horticultural crops and use of modern ICT facilities to improve vegetable farmers’ access to information.

Urbanization effects on urban vegetable farmers adaptation: Evidence from Ghana

AbstractThis study argues that urban change and urban agriculture are linked and this relationship affects urban farmers. This causes urban farmers to adapt to the urban change and, in this study, within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). This is because urban agriculture serves as a source of livelihood for urban dwellers and a source of vital food ingredients which helps address food security concerns in the city. This study employs an exploratory sequential mixed method to investigate this phenomenon, which first uses a qualitative methodology and then quantitative methodology to investigate the changes that have occurred within the GAMA and how the farmers are adapting to these changes. A heterogeneous sampling aproach was used to select a total of 29 farmers from 10 farm sites for the qualitative data, while a multistage sampling approach was used to select 251 farmers from 16 farm sites for the quantitative data. The changes within the urban space realized by farmers include climate, land scarcity, increased population, and lifestyle dynamics. The population increase and lifestyle change, for instance, increased demand for vegetables and land scarcity caused farmers to move to secured lands, which led to farmers enjoying security on those lands. However, increased population, for instance, led to more unplanned settlements, which negatively resulted in polluted streams for farming. It also led to land scarcity that has resulted in the eviction of farmers from their farmlands. In adapting to some of the effects of these changes, farmers used several water sources to reduce their dependence on the polluted streams and embarked on intensification and relocated to cheap and cost‐free lands to be able to manage the land scarcity challenge. All these adaptation strategies prove farmers' resilience to the intense urban changes, which affect their farming activities. This calls for a specialized and focused support for urban agriculture by stakeholders responsible for the promotion of urban agriculture.

Impacts of climate variability on the vegetable production of urban farmers in the Addis Ababa metropolitan area: Nexus of climate-smart agricultural technologies

This study was aimed at examining the impacts of climate variability on vegetable production and nexus climate-smart agriculture technologies. The study was conducted on vegetable farmers along the little Akaki River in Addis Ababa. Field data was collected from 156 randomly selected vegetable farmers via semi-structured survey questions. Climate data from 1996 to 2020 was analysed using qualitative and quantitative descriptive statistics methods. The results of monthly and annual precipitation variability indicated a coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 23% to 73% and 49% to 98%, respectively. Seasonally, CV ranges between 34% and 99%, 50%–97%, and 20%–84% in Belg, Bega, and Kiremt, respectively. The results of respondents' perceptions indicated an increasing trend in temperature and precipitation variability. Vegetable urban farmers perceived an increase in the frequency of floods and rain falls (44.9%), drought frequency (13.5%), temperature (89.7%), and a decrease in the trend of vegetable productivity (86.5%) as the major impacts of climate variability. However, changing vegetable varieties (31.4%), early planting (26.9%), mixed farming (26.6%), late planting (5.1%), using agrochemicals (4.5%), and agroforestry (1.9%) are the major on-farm climates where smart agriculture technologies were identified for adaptation. Shift occupation (37.8%), nonadaptation (36.5%), and non-farm activations (24.4%) were employed by the farmers as off-farm adaptation options. In addition, vulnerability analysis indicated that the absence of direct access to the market, inadequate access to weather information, land fragmentation, and tenure complications are the major determinants of being vulnerable. Finally, high precipitation and temperature variability affect vegetable productivity. Practical ImplicationsClimate extreme phenomena are substantial pressures on urban agricultural production systems in risk-prone cities, where climate service challenges are rising globally (Sanfo et al., 2022; Kifle et al., 2022; Ebissa and Desta, 2022); besides, the requirement to produce more urban vegetables to feed residents, an ever-increasing and vulnerable group, is undeniable (Martinez et al., 2022). Additionally, climate variability and change threaten urban and pre-urban farmers’ livelihoods and agricultural farming, particularly in semi-arid areas in Africa (Magesa et al., 2023). Furthermore, 64 % of the world’s poorest people lived in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020, which strongly requires the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger) and 11 (make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable) in the region (Magesa et al., 2023; Chitakira and Ngcobo, 2021; Degefu et al., 2021c).Thus, cities are exposure to compatible climate information services is vital for anticipating climate variability risks in vegetable production, optimizing the training of practitioners (urban farmers), and adapting to climate change through climate smart agriculture technologies (Degefu et al., 2021a; Chitakira and Ngcobo, 2021; Kifle et al., 2022). Moreover, it is compulsory to ascertain and analyze impact insights and their origins, vulnerabilities, and adaptive potential among urban farmers before beginning with the exercise of any given climate service to understand the demands of urban vegetable farmers and the possible exploitation of nexuses (Dendir and Simane, 2021).Conversely, in Ethiopia, the agriculture sector is identified as one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate change and vulnerability (Kifle et al., 2022). On top of these, the productivity and the concern of urban agriculture (vegetable production) is highly ignored and reduced the potential, productivity and suitability of ecological land (Kifle et al., 2022; Degefu et al., 2021b; Degefu et al., 2021c). Besides, the combined effect of climate variability, population pressure, and urban ecosystem dynamics reduced urban vegetable production and leads the farming community into a viscous of poverty circle and worsens food security (Amberber et al., 2020; Degefu et al., 2021c).However, previous studies have revealed that the effectiveness of climate information services on urban ecosystems depends on (i) the ability of urban farmers to access, understand, and overcome institutional constraints (Kiplagat et al., 2022) (ii) the capacity of end-users to translate the information and knowledge into effective decision-making options (Dendir and Simane, 2021), and (iii) the capacity of end-users to translate the information and knowledge into effective decision-making options (Martinez et al., 2022). To that end, the disparity between the awareness of urban farmers and policymakers towards the benefits of CSA and their practices implies that indigenous knowledge-based research on CSA farming and land management technology should be conducted. Therefore, it is crucial to appreciate the practices and adoption of CSA at the city level to realise triple-win outcomes: increased productivity, enhanced resilience, and mitigating climate variability and change.

Locked on All Sides: Experiences of Urban Vegetable Farmers During Ghana’s COVID-19 Lockdown

Locked on All Sides: Experiences of Urban Vegetable Farmers During Ghana’s COVID-19 Lockdown

A simplified non-greenhouse hydroponic system for small-scale soilless urban vegetable farming

Majority of under-developed countries continue to face a challenge of food insecurity around urban areas resulting from factors such as; limited access to arable land. This study aimed at developing a simplified low-tech hydroponic system for growing leafy vegetables alongside testing its economic viability. This was intended to support urban vegetable production and henceforth contributing to food security more so in under-developed states dealing with the challenge of increasing urban population vs. reducing arable land around urban/ peri-urban areas. A hydroponic unit for growing 60 leafy vegetables (using lettuce as a study crop) under non-controlled environmental conditions was designed and developed using low-cost and low-tech materials. Kratky hydroponic method which involves growing crops using water as a media without the need for water pumps and electricity was used. A study was also carried out to assess the profitability of the system. The results indicated a: net present values of 16.37$, internal rate of return of 12.57%, profitability index of 1.1 and non-discounted payback period of approximately 8 months (4 cropping seasons).These findings showed that the system has the potential to improve urban food production and availability in especially in developing countries in a profitable manner. Vegetable production using the hydroponic system can also contribute to:•tachievement of sustainable development goals, 2 (zero hunger) and 3 (good health and wellbeing);•improvement in urban agriculture production and income generation among urban farmers;•enhanced adoption of low-cost, low-tech, environmental-friendly and sustainable farming systems.

Dynamics and sustainability of urban and peri-urban vegetable farming in Yaound City, Cameroon

In the context of rapid urbanisation of Cameroon, it is estimated that 70% of the total population will be dwelling in urban centres by 2060. Meanwhile, vegetable production has become an important economic activity for the urban and peri-urban poor because of its shorter production cycle. Thus, this study aims at describing the dynamics of the changes and sustainability within vegetable production systems in urban and peri-urban areas. A survey was conducted among 185 vegetable farmers and 184 non-vegetable farmers in urban and peri-urban areas of Yaounde using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive results show that vegetable production is concentrated in densely populated areas with underpinning socio-economic characteristics. On average, vegetable producers are married (70.0%), educated (94.0%) and mostly young adults (24.0%). Most (70.0%) of the respondents have vegetable farming as their main source of income. The most dominant cropping system is the strip cropping system between traditional vegetables. The results of the sustainability analysis show that the profitability of vegetable production decreases with population density. While mulching, crop rotation and the application of organic manure increase with population density, land fallow is observed to decrease. The perceptions of vegetable producers and non-producers towards vegetable production are broadly similar. Finally, more than half of vegetable producers (53.0%) will not be able keep working on their plots in the next 10 years. Therefore, urban policy planners should take into account vegetable production when elaborating master and zoning plans to better preserve and integrate it as part of the urban development plan. Key words: Urbanization, vegetable production system, sustainable agriculture, Yaounde

The role of urban vegetable production in Jos (Nigeria) as a source of livelihood

Many cities of developing countries experience widespread poverty due to accelerated migration of people from rural to urban areas as well as high population growth rates. The city of Jos in Plateau State is experiencing rapid population growth as well, with the attendant problems of food insecurity, insufficient income, unemployment and environmental degradation. This study assessed the role that urban vegetable production plays in providing a source of livelihood to small-scale farmers in Jos. The farmers were registered with the third Fadama Project in Nigeria. Such projects derive their name from the native Hausa word ‘fadama’ which means irrigable lands on flood-prone and low-lying plains. Forty percent (40%) of urban vegetable farmers were randomly selected to have a sample size of 94 participants. A mixed method approach was used and this involved questionnaire-administered interviews. The primary data obtained were transcribed and subjected to ANOVA and t-test analysis. From the results obtained, most of the vegetables farm plots are located predominantly in the southern part of the study area. Results indicated that vegetable farming is playing an important role in providing 84% part-time and 5% full-time employment opportunities as well as reducing food insecurity among the study participants. In addition, most farmers achieved an income of more than the minimum wage of ₦30, 000 (US$ 72. 24) as approved by the Nigerian Government. The results also showed that lack of credit facilities, seasonal variations and the high cost of farm inputs and equipment are the most serious problems faced by participants. Other challenges associated with small-scale urban farming entailed the negative environmental impacts that may lead to the decline of environmental quality, thus undermining long term sustainability. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences among participants in terms of the relationship between the type of vegetables they produce, incomes generated, environmental impacts and their demographical attributes. These attributes are the age, gender, marital status, and educational background of participants. Based on these findings, and the socio-economic importance of vegetable farming in this study area, governments and financial institutions should establish better policies in order to solve the problems faced by small-scale vegetable farmers in urban areas.

Urban vegetable farming in Ghana: assessing the health risks from objective and subjective lenses

Urban vegetable farming remains a potential public health threat in many underdeveloped countries where wastewater is predominantly used. This paper assesses health risks associated with the use of contaminated water for vegetable farming from an objective and farmers' subjective lenses. Samples of water and vegetables taken from vegetable farming communities in Kumasi were tested for microbial contamination using the most probable number (MPN) method. Besides, health risk perceptions of farmers were assessed using thematic analytical framework. Results show high contamination levels of total coliform, Escherichia coli and Enterococci aerogenes bacteria in both water and vegetable samples, far above the World Health Organisation standards and the benchmark set by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food. While objective laboratory results show that both the irrigation water and the vegetables produced pose public health risks, farmers generally assessed these as safe. Strict supervision, enforcement of relevant by-laws and continuous public education by metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are key in ensuring healthy vegetable production for the consuming public.

Urban vegetable farming in Ghana: assessing the health risks from objective and subjective lenses

Urban vegetable farming remains a potential public health threat in many underdeveloped countries where wastewater is predominantly used. This paper assesses health risks associated with the use of contaminated water for vegetable farming from an objective and farmers' subjective lenses. Samples of water and vegetables taken from vegetable farming communities in Kumasi were tested for microbial contamination using the most probable number (MPN) method. Besides, health risk perceptions of farmers were assessed using thematic analytical framework. Results show high contamination levels of total coliform, Escherichia coli and Enterococci aerogenes bacteria in both water and vegetable samples, far above the World Health Organisation standards and the benchmark set by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food. While objective laboratory results show that both the irrigation water and the vegetables produced pose public health risks, farmers generally assessed these as safe. Strict supervision, enforcement of relevant by-laws and continuous public education by metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are key in ensuring healthy vegetable production for the consuming public.

Occurrence and Seasonal Variations of Lead Concentrations in River Water and Edible Vegetables Grown along Morogoro River Bank

Urban vegetable farming is popular in Tanzania and other countries partly due to readily available market and reliable transport to reach consumers. River banks are usually used to grow such vegetables due to closer proximity to water and whenever necessary use such water for irrigation. However in urban settings river water pollution by toxic heavy metals and subsequent accumulation of the metals in nearby grown vegetables has been reported as among major sources of exposure to humans and animals. Heavy metals, including lead (Pb) have many health effects to human and animals ranging from acute to chronic illnesses. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of lead in Morogoro river and in edible vegetables (Amaranthus retroflexus) grown along the river bank. Water and vegetable samples collected during dry and rainy seasons were prepared and analysed for occurrence and levels of lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). It was found that concentration of Lead in the water and vegetable samples were up to 0.95 mg/L, and 0.026 mg/Kg respectively. It was also found that 77% of the water samples and 28% of the vegetable samples had lead levels above the WHO recommendations. The frequency and levels of lead occurrence varied with topographical, diurnal and seasonal characteristics of sample collection. The results of this study raise concerns on the use of water for human and animal consumption from rivers which run across urban areas and call for further studies to investigate for any health consequences to consumers

Occurrence and Seasonal Variations of Lead Concentrations in River Water and Edible Vegetables Grown along Morogoro River Bank

Urban vegetable farming is popular in Tanzania and other countries partly due to readily available market and reliable transport to reach consumers. River banks are usually used to grow such vegetables due to closer proximity to water and whenever necessary use such water for irrigation. However in urban settings river water pollution by toxic heavy metals and subsequent accumulation of the metals in nearby grown vegetables has been reported as among major sources of exposure to humans and animals. Heavy metals, including lead (Pb) have many health effects to human and animals ranging from acute to chronic illnesses. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of lead in Morogoro river and in edible vegetables (Amaranthus retroflexus) grown along the river bank. Water and vegetable samples collected during dry and rainy seasons were prepared and analysed for occurrence and levels of lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). It was found that concentration of Lead in the water and vegetable samples were up to 0.95 mg/L, and 0.026 mg/Kg respectively. It was also found that 77% of the water samples and 28% of the vegetable samples had lead levels above the WHO recommendations. The frequency and levels of lead occurrence varied with topographical, diurnal and seasonal characteristics of sample collection. The results of this study raise concerns on the use of water for human and animal consumption from rivers which run across urban areas and call for further studies to investigate for any health consequences to consumers

Pre- and Post-Harvest Practices of Urban Leafy Green Vegetable Farmers in Accra, Ghana and Their Association with Microbial Quality of Vegetables Produced

Vegetable farming is the most practiced urban agriculture in Ghana. A previous study of our laboratory revealed poor microbial quality of, and presence of Salmonella on, leafy green vegetables grown or sold in Accra, Ghana. The aims of this study were to determine agricultural practices of urban vegetable farmers and the association between agricultural practices and microbial safety of vegetables produced. A survey was conducted among 102 farmers from 12 farming areas who produced exotic and indigenous leafy greens in Accra, Ghana to identify their farming practices. It was observed that water from waste drains pumped into shallow wells was used for irrigation by 70% of the farmers. Incompletely composted manure was commonly used (99%) in farming. Vegetables were usually harvested using bare hands (96%) and knives (73%) and transported mainly in sacks (94%) to market centers under non-refrigerated conditions. Over 60% of the farmers disagreed that the use of polluted irrigation water can contaminate vegetables or make consumers sick. According to the seemingly unrelated regression model, farmers with no formal education and less food safety knowledge and had been planting on their current farmlands for several years were likely to produced vegetables with higher fecal coliform and Enterococcus sp. counts compared to other farmers. Vegetables cultivated by farmers who disagreed that the use of contaminated water can make consumers sick were associated with the production of vegetables with high fecal coliform and Enterococcus sp. counts. Education and improved agricultural and post-harvest handling practices should be encouraged among vegetable producers in the area to improve food safety.

Wastewater-irrigated urban vegetable farming in Ethiopia: A review on their potential contamination and health effects

In response to rapid urbanization and increase in population, there is water scarcity and growing demand for water for irrigation. Nowadays, use of wastewater in agriculture for production of veget...

Perception of Organic Farming among Urban Vegetable Farmers in Delta Central Agricultural Zone

This study examined the perception of urban vegetable farmers on organic farming. Data were collected from 102 respondents using a multi stage sampling technique and a structured interview schedule. Results indicate that the majority of the farmers were females (89.2%) with (87.25%) married and mean age 40.8. Only 10.8% had no education. Most respondents (70.59%) went into vegetable farming as a means of secondary income and for home consumption (82.35%). Major constraints faced by respondents include bulkiness of organic materials ( x= 3.34), inability to handle/preserve/process organic material (x = 2.99) and no access to training on organic vegetable farming (( x= 3.79). Perception of farmers on organic farming was generally unfavourable (58.8%) however, it was significantly correlated to age (r = 0.171), marital status (χ 2 = 17.96, p = 0.05) and educational attainment (χ 2 = 6.397, p = 0.05). It concluded that farmers used organic farming to improve on their income and soil nutrient status and as such recommended appropriate institutional support to encourage organic farming. Keywords : Organic farming, urban and vegetable farmers.

English

English

On-farm urban vegetable farming practices and health risk perceptions of farmers in Kumasi

The paper examines risk perceptions of urban and peri-urban vegetable farmers in relation to their on-farm activities. The study involved 66 in-depth interviews with vegetable farmers from four farming sites in urban and peri-urban Kumasi using interview guide and systematic observations. Relevant data were analysed thematically using NVivo 9 analytical software. Findings show that most vegetable farmers used contaminated water for irrigation and also applied fertilizers and pesticides to crops without any regulations. While these practices are potential health threats to both farmers and the unsuspecting public, the farmers perceived it otherwise and demonstrated lack of knowledge of the harmful health effects of these chemical compounds and the wastewater utilised. The paper argues that the current vegetable farming practices in the study communities are consequences of farmers’ low risk perception, which is shaped by socio-economic, political and cultural circumstances. Effective monitoring by environmental health agencies, coupled with sustained public education and campaigns on the potential health risks of unsafe farming practices could engender acceptable behavioural change among farmers.

Profitability and constraints to urban exotic vegetable production systems in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana: a recipe for job creation

Some vegetable producers perceive their venture to be unprofitable owing to cheating at the farm gate. This study sought to determine profitability of production of exotic vegetables which are not native of Ghana. The study used data collected from 80 urban exotic vegetable farmers. Descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, multiple linear regression, and the Garrett ranking scale were the methods of analysis. The most profitable system from the results of the net margin ratio was the production of lettuce as a sole crop with net margin ratio of 71% which explains the popularity of lettuce among exotic vegetable producers in the metropolis. Household size, experience, and access to credit positively affected profitability while farm size as well as costs of labor and fertilizer had negative effects. Farmers ranked high input cost, land tenure insecurity, and high cost of irrigation as challenges to urban exotic vegetable production. We recommend that urban exotic vegetable production should be considered as a source of employment. Government and financial institutions should improve farmer access to credit to enable them to hire adequate labor and acquire technologies and production inputs.