Environmental Perspective of Urban Agriculture in Debre Markos Town, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Urban agriculture plays great role in environmental benefits to urban farmers in particular and urban dwellers at large to grasp the significance of the sector towards urban environments. It also contributes challenges to the environment unless urban farmers take care of farming practices. So, the study focused on identifying the major types of UA in Debre Markos Town, identifying stakeholders involved in urban agriculture, challenges of urban agriculture to the environment and environmental benefits of urban agriculture. Basically the study employed a descriptive research type. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. And 152 samples were systematically selected from individual farmers, micro and small enterprise under urban agriculture, and investors. Eight officials were selected through purposive sampling from relevant governmental organizations. Empirical data was collected through structured questionnaire, interview guiding questions, focus group discussion, and on spot observation. The data gathered via the aforementioned techniques were analyzed and the findings were presented using tables, charts, and plates. Accordingly, the findings revealed that animal husbandry is the most common urban agricultural activity in Debre Markos Town following green biodiversity enrichment. In addition, though the multi-stakeholders are participating in urban agriculture, their environmental concern was very low. It is evident that 55.9% of challenges of urban agriculture to the environment are waste dumping, soil loss and loss of biodiversity due to ignorance of environmental attention while farming in the town. From the study, it is concluded that composting of both municipal and household waste for urban agriculture is a neglected activity which would have been used for augmenting of soil fertility instead of polluting the urban environment. It also recommends that awareness creation; spur on institutional support with special attention to the environment and rendering technical extension service as it has been case for rural areas to solve negative environmental outlooks and practices of urban farmers should be strengthened.

Key words: urban agriculture, urban farmer, environmental challenge, environmental benefit, Ethiopia