The Contribution of Urban Agriculture to Women’s Food Security at the Household Level: The Case of Akaki–Kaliti; Subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2023-06-20
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Urban agriculture in Addis Ababa city is being implemented by individual households and micro and small enterprises for various reasons. The main objective of this research is to assess the contribution of urban agriculture to the food security of urban women at the HH level. The study was done in two woredas (woreda 1 & 3) in the Akaki-kality sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used in the study. In total two Focus Group Discussions were done from the two woredas and a total of 100 households purposively sampled were administered with a semi-structured questionnaire; four key informants were interviewed. The study used the Food Consumption Score to measure household’s food consumption, their main sources, and the main food groups consumed. The Finding showed that the income women obtained from urban agriculture contributes to the household’s food access through its role in improving their purchasing power and strengthening the coping capacity of women. This implies that the increased income for women due to practicing urban agriculture improves the food security of women at the household level. The result also showed the product women got from UA helps them to increase their food intake and balanced diet. Critical challenges of women participating in UA included: lack of access to adequate agricultural technologies, technical support for training, and agricultural inputs such as better seeds, seedlings, pullets, fertilizer, and pesticides. In addition, more urban agricultural land is needed. Apart from the efforts made by agricultural technical experts to organize UA beneficiaries, there are additional issues, such as institutional instability and improper delivery of the necessary technical assistance at all levels. This research recommended: there should be a focus on microeconomic programs (like improving the living standard) for women and reducing the living cost of society by taking measurements like easy access to credit; access to farming plot land through lease or renting and providing modern UA input by both the Govt and NGO; Extension and training on empowerment and advocacy to raise women’s voice in the HH. Providing necessary knowledge, technology, and skills for the production of better urban agriculture production by the women so that the women can be benefited from the UA to alleviate the food insecurity in the HH.
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household food security, women food security, urban agriculture, Addis Ababa city