Abstract:
The number of urban poor is rapidly increasing as urban population grows. Urban vegetable production is
therefore a response to the available market demand and the challenges of unemployment and food insecurity
resulting from the urbanisation. The study examined the contribution of urban vegetable production to farmers’
livelihoods in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ashanti Region of Ghana. Descriptive survey design was used for the study.
Based on a simple random sampling technique, 300 urban vegetable farmers were selected and interviewed.
Cronbach alpha coefficient values showed high reliability and consistency of the farmers’ livelihood subscales. The
study that the contribution of urban vegetable production to farmers’ livelihoods differed significantly regarding
different livelihood subscales (ANOVA). Post-hoc multiple comparisons test (Dunnett’s T3) result revealed that the
contribution of urban vegetable production to farmers’ mean livelihoods was generally ‘low’. However, it
contributed ‘moderately high’ to their natural and physical capitals. The strength of association between farmers’
mean livelihood subscales also showed that urban vegetable production impacted differently and significantly on
their livelihoods. It is recommended that Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs) should be formed to help empower
and protect farmers’ from the exploitation of prospective buyers. It would also help address common challenges
confronting members including high input cost, lack of credit facilities and inadequate marketing avenues.
