Gender Analysis of the Contribution of Urban Agriculture to Sustainable Livelihoods in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

This article examines the sustainability of livelihoods through urban agriculture (UA): gender dimensions in Accra, Ghana. The population used for the study was the vegetable producers within and around Accra, Ghana. A mix of sampling techniques was followed in choosing UA producers. While a random sampling technique was employed in choosing male UA producers, all female producers who were willing to be interviewed were chosen. In all, 92 male producers and 8 female producers gave consistent responses that were analyzed. The results show that the mean age for male producers is 39.4 years. Female producers are more elderly with a mean age of 49.8 years. The mean year of schooling is 6.4 years for male producers and 7.1 years for female producers. While all the households are involved in irrigated farming, only 13% male and 25% female managed farms practiced irrigated farming alone. The majority of the male and female farmers indicated that high contribution of urban agriculture to their livelihoods. Farm size and access to credit were significant determinants of income from urban agriculture among the respondents.

Keywords:

• assets
• gender
• income
• livelihoods
• resource use
• urban agriculture

Acknowledgments

This study was carried out within the frame of the Cities Farming for the Future (CFF) programme of the International Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security (RUAF Foundation). The authors acknowledge the financial support from DGIS and IDRC as well as the contribution of local partners to CFF implementation in Accra.