EFFECTS OF PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE ON URBAN POVERTY REDUCTION IN THE SEKONDI TAKORADI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Agriculture, which is the main source of livelihood of peri-urban

dwellers in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is seriously being threatened by rapid

urbanization due to the discovery of oil in the Tano Basin. The oil industry is

gradually impacting the urban development pattern of the twin city. Hence

peri-urban agriculture has been limited to areas such as riverbanks, roadsides,

parks and lands under high-voltage electrical towers that cannot be used for

buildings.

The main thrust of this research was to assess how peri-urban

agriculture can be integrated into the economy of Sekondi-Takoradi

Metropolis. A triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative methods was

used in order to give the research statistical and conceptual significance.

The research result demonstrates that peri-urban agriculture is an

important feature of the urban and peri-urban land use system. Peri-urban

agriculture makes important contribution to employment, income and food

supply. The urban economies can greatly benefit from urban agriculture, if all

the Metropolitan/Municipal/District Assemblies can develop a policy and

institutional framework on the sector.

It is therefore clear from the study that adoption of polices by Planners

is key to the realization of peri-urban food security and sustainable city

development. In order to realize the full potential of per-urban agriculture,

there is the need to develop a policy and institutional framework for the sector.

This would enable urban farmers unlock critical technical and financial

support services.