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Name of the Asset | The Role of Urban Agriculture in Addressing Household Poverty and Food Security: The Case of Zambia
Type of Asset | Working Paper
Date | September 2009
Summary
Since the attainment of political independence in 1964, copper mining has been the mainstay of the national economy of Zambia. Efforts taken to diversify the Zambian economy by focusing on agriculture, tourism and manufacturing in the past have not been very successful. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of urban agriculture, which can be an important tool in reducing urban poverty in Zambia.
The paper examines the significance of urban agriculture among households who already practice this activity in Zambia, drawing from primary sources. Interviews were conducted with 400 small-scale urban farmers in Lusaka, Kabw Ndola and Kitwe.
The study finds that urban agriculture is a significant contributor to household income and also provides better access to food. The practice of urban agriculture must, therefore, receive government support as a strategy for poverty reduction. The recognition of urban agriculture as a legitimate part of land use, the provision of agricultural/veterinary extension services and pilot demonstration projects are among the steps recommended to legitimize urban agriculture in Zambia.
Authors:
- Godfrey Hampwaye, University of Zambia, Geography Department
- Lutangu Ingombe, University of Zambia, Geography Department
- Etienne Nel, University of Zambia, Geography Department
Country and/or Region | Zambia
Name of the Program | Global Research Project, ‘Institutional Capacity Strengthening of African Public Policy Institutes to Support Inclusive Growth and the MDGs.’
Funder(s) | The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) and Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA)
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