The contribution of Agroforestry to livelihoods in urban / peri- urban Kumasi
Loading...
Date
2003-11-28
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This research was aimed at deciphering information on the various contributions agroforestry has made towards the sustenance of livelihoods in urban/peri-urban Kumasi. Income was the main index employed in the assessment of livelihood as this influenced other livelihood parameters such as clothing, shelter and nutrition. The supplementary role played by most of the subsistent activities in terms of finance was a useful tool in the assessment of their impact on livelihoods. The pen-urban interface is the urban fringe denoting neighbourhoods abounding a city characterised by physical development activities with property rights actively changing hands whilst land use changes from predominantly agricultural to urban. A simple random sampling approach was adopted in the sample determination for the study. Data was collected through primary and secondary sources. The primary data was based on a rapid appraisal and field survey by means of structured questionnaire checklist. Though it came up that agro forestry is contributing in diverse ways to the sustenance of both urban and periurban livelihoods of the Kumasi metropolis, it has not received the attention it deserves. It is unconsciously being practiced in most households. Mixed fanning in home garden systems was found to be the most widely practiced agro forestry technology among the people. Almost all the organizations (both Governmental and Non-Governmental) contacted in the study area intimated that they operated primarily outside urban/pen- urban Kumasi, even though their offices are in Kumasi. A few however submitted that they provided technical advice, logistical support and incentives not to individuals, but well organised co-operatives strongly identified with one agro forestry programme or the other. Financial assistance for agro forestry was technically non-existent. It also came up
that most of the naturally occurring agro forestry resources in the area are seriously threatened by the law of ‘common property’ where everybody wants to enjoy but none wants to assume responsibility for the resources’ management. Though finance is acclaimed to be the number one constraint to production, the subsistent nature of most of the production systems in the study area made it to rank second to land availability. The insecurity with most tenurial systems is a disincentive to the development of agro forestry technologies in the area. It was identified that most of the agro forestry resource-based activities, especially fuel wood collection are becoming less attractive as a result of poor management of the resource. The huge profit margin between guinea grass and fuelwood (guinea grass about four times more financially rewarding than fuel wood) is enough evidence to call for a critical look by stakeholders interested in assisting poor peri-urban dwellers improve upon their livelihoods. Indigenous knowledge was also identified as a rich source of information on agro forestry. The importance therefore of exploiting this by experts and stakeholders on the subject matter cannot be underestimated. It is sad to note however that with the exception of poultry farmers, the issue of record keeping was technically of no priority to virtually all respondents in the other production activities. Database on these activities for referencing was thus non-existent. This compelled respondents to casually recall from memory much of the information requested in the course of administering the questionnaires. In conclusion, the issue of education on agro forestry needs to be vigorously pursued and accorded the urgency in urban/peri-urban areas as it is in rural communities. It is envisaged that when this is done, ignorance on the subject matter in the study area that is on the high side shall be minimised and the much anticipated impact on livelihoods realised.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Agroforestry, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Arts, 2003