Adapting Urban Agriculture For Sustainable Food Security In Case Of Arada Sub-City Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

This research is conducted with the main objective of examining the existing condition of urban agriculture activities including its economic, social, and environmental benefits, role urban agriculture has to attain food security for urban agriculture beneficiaries in Arada Sub-city of Addis Ababa. Therefore, necessary data are generated from both primary and secondary sources, primary data were collected from field observation sample household survey informant interview while secondary data were obtained from urban agriculture concerned offices (Arada sub-city urban agriculture office, woredas, Arada sub-city planning office). These data were analyzed by both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The qualitative data analysis techniques include content and narrative analysis methods using a different kind of assistance software. Descriptive analysis method and household food balance model were used as quantitative data analysis techniques to look into the household per capital dietary energy contribution of urban agriculture in Arada sub-city. Also challenges and constraints urban farmers face regarding urban agriculture in terms of land availability, accessibility, and usability of land discussed with opinions and plans of urban planners and UA exerts have been analyzed. The findings of this study confirm a significant role of adapting urban agriculture in attaining urban household food security through studying overall urban farmers' identity, economical social, and environmental benefits side by side. Over 65 % percent of the surveyed sample households were obtaining 38% of dietary energy requirement only from their urban farmlands. Additionally, the paper tries to find out urban farmers challenge in terms of land, finance, knowledge etc. with urban agriculture expert and planners’ opinions and plans for future. Based on the findings of the study, important urban agriculture development schemes in terms of policy, land, finance have been recommended.