Environmental management of urban farming and water quality: implications for food security.
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Urban farming, in its small scale comprises of various production systems and practices that
can lead to poor soil conditions, water pollution and the extension of climate change impacts.
Moreover, smallholder farmers are in turn challenged by climate change impacts including
heavy rainfall, high temperatures, hailstorms and pests exacerbated by the lack of knowledge,
institutional support, governance framework, limited financial resources and technology. As a
result, farmers are vulnerable to urban farming and environmental risks that affect the farmers’
food and nutrition security. On the other hand, if done well, urban farming (UF) can benefit the
urban environment through flood water mitigation, water infiltration and greening of the
environment, while improving food security. The study was conducted in the communities of
Sobantu, Sweetwaters and Mpophomeni, in KwaZulu-Natal. This study employed a mixedmethods
research approach, which combines quantitative and qualitative analysis. The
quantitative approach used a survey questionnaire to elicit responses from 78 urban and
periurban smallholder farmers who were purposefully selected to participate in the study. Focus
group discussions and field observations were used to collect in-depth qualitative data about
the challenges urban farmers faced in urban farming. Additionally, the logit regression model
was used to identify factors that influence the farmers adoption of urban farming management
practices. The study revealed that the majority of the farmers were faced with environmental
problems including poor soil conditions, water quality and access problems and climate change
impacts, of which had an impact on crop yield and farm profit. Furthermore, results showed
that 69.2% of farmers were aware of the environmental implications of urban farming.
However, it was found that due to the farmers limited financial resources, farmers identified
urban farming mainly as a source of income and a strategy to obtain extra food and less for the
benefit of the environment. The study found that market availability (p=0.003), training on soil
management (p=0.0011) and access to credit (p=0.097) were significant factors in the adoption
of urban farming practices. The study further revealed that the farmers adoption of urban
farming and water quality management practices were challenged by socio-economic and
institutional factors such as the lack of knowledge, farmer training, access to markets, access
to credit and poor extension support. An environmental management framework was provided
to address the challenges that hinder the smallholder farmers adoption of urban farming and
water quality management practices.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.