The Role of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Promoting the Development of Urban Agriculture: The case of Addis Ababa City
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Like in other countries, non-governmental and civil society actors are visible on the overall
institutional landscape of Ethiopian society. Currently th ere are more than 2000 NGO/CSO
operating in Eth iopia. Specifically in Addis Ababa city more than 200 NGO/CSO engaged in
different developmental activities among which 24 NGO have been implementing Urban
Agriculture (UA) in different levels. The objective of the research was to assess NGOs efforts
for promoting the development of UA in Addis Ababa. The research focused on two NGOs
engaged in UA, namely ENDA Et hiopi a (Environmental Developmental Action) and Progress
Integrated Community Development Organization (P ICDO) International and Local NGOs
respectively. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected; Quantitative data were
collected using a structured questionnai re, designed specifically for the study. For structured
su rvey 69(41 from ENDA) & (25from PICDO) project participants who were engaged in UA
activity were se lected from a sample frame created by stratified random sample. The sample
shou ld be broad ly representat ive of project participants from the two NGOs. Qualitative data
were collected from primary source through, interview, observation and case study.
UA program being undertaken by the NGOs target the most vulnerable groups in the society
including, PLWI-IA, OVCs, OVCs and women- headed households. These socially marginalized
households engage in food production relaying on very small plots of land, marginal and vacant
open places and using different kits.
The sponsorship of urban gardening projects by these NGOs create employment for 36.7%
sample respondents and improve household food supply for the entire project participants. The
research revealed that gardening be done with virtua lly no economic resources, using locally
available planting material s, green manu res, 97% of the project participant used compost for
their soil ferti lity, by composting biodegradable household wastes. 100% of the sample
respondents used integrated pest management (lPM) for control ling pest and diseases using
biological means.
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Another important result of the study was the fact thatI3.6% of the respondents their major water
source was ' used water' and 15.2 % of house hold mainly using barrel, sacks and tire for
producing vegetables.
The research findings shows that NGOs role for the promotion of UA has been quiet
ind ispensable with regard to creat ing employment, income increase and livelihoods
diversification of the target groups (PLWHA) in particular, and as a city in Addis Ababa in
general.
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Role of Non Governmental Organizations