Effects of peri-urban agriculture on urban poverty reduction in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis

Abstract

Agriculture, which is the main source of livelihood of peri-urban dwellers in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is seriously being threatened by rapid urbanization due to the discovery of oil in the Tano Basin. The oil industry is gradually impacting the urban development pattern of the twin city. Hence peri-urban agriculture has been limited to areas such as riverbanks, roadsides, parks and lands under high-voltage electrical towers that cannot be used for buildings. The main thrust of this research was to assess how peri-urban agriculture can be integrated into the economy of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. A triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative methods was used in order to give the research statistical and conceptual significance. The research result demonstrates that peri-urban agriculture is an important feature of the urban and peri-urban land use system. Peri-urban agriculture makes important contribution to employment, income and food supply. The urban economies can greatly benefit from urban agriculture, if all the Metropolitan/Municipa /District Assemblies can develop a policy and institutional framework on the sector.It is therefore clear from the study that adoption of polices by Planners is key to the realization of peri-urban food security and sustainable city development. In order to realize the full potential of per-urban agriculture,there is the need to develop a policy and institutional framework for the sector.This would enable urban farmers unlock critical technical and financial support services.