Potential of Amaranthus in improving urban farmers’ livelihoods in Kampala
Date
2021-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : During the last couple of decades, the importance of urban agriculture has increased. There is, however, substantial knowledge gap on agriculture as practised in urban spaces. This study investigates the potentials of amaranthus to improve urban livelihood in Kampala. Amaranthus is
an under-valued crop, faces low participation, and the urban farmers do not fully exploit its
potential opportunities in Kampala, and yet the awareness of the health benefits has contributed to
the increase in the consumption in Kampala.
Previous studies on Uganda have focused on promoting grain amaranthus production as a way to
improve food security, nutrition and household income. Few other studies gave an insight on
cultivation in urban areas, particularly in utilising small spaces. The literature is, however, still
sparse and mostly focussed on production in general and did not focus on urban agriculture
specifically. The study was conducted in Kampala across four divisions among 120 urban growing
households and 82 amaranthus growing households. Four key informant interviews were also
obtained from the institutional structures involved/governing urban farming in Kampala.
Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) were used to assess the potential of growing amaranthus
in enhancing household livelihoods.
Contrary to other findings on urban farming, it was observed in this study that more male farmers
are engaging in amaranthus growing than female, this could be a new trend. Similarly, more maleheaded
households are seen participating compared to female-headed households. It was also
observed that female farmers took up growing amaranthus for own consumption while male
farmers were mainly doing it for income. Amaranthus had the least opportunity cost compared to
other crops thus a more competitive crop compared to other crops. The study concluded that
amaranthus has the potential to enhance household livelihoods since household can obtain their
desired outcome like more food supply, income and health benefits from the production of this
crop. However, this could be improved through more favourable ordinances and policies towards
urban farming. Various potentials were observed in this study, i.e. economic potentials, incomegenerating
potentials, employment potentials and social impacts. Therefore, accept the hypothesis
that growing amaranthus could enhance urban farmers household livelihood.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MAgricAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
Keywords
Amaranths -- Kampala (Uganda), Urban agriculture -- Kampala (Uganda), Cities and towns -- Food supply -- Kampala (Uganda), Sustainable living -- Kampala (Uganda), UCTD