Understanding Urban Farm households Vulnerability to Economic shocks in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

High level of vulnerability of urban farmers to economic shocks occasioned by variability in climate often hampers their effective participation in economic activities. Lack of information on the vulnerability status of urban households often limit their effective participation in economic activities. This study assessed the vulnerability status of urban farmers in South-south region of Nigeria. Data for this study was obtained from two hundred and eighty nine (289) households that were randomly selected from three States in South-south Nigeria and analyzed using vulnerability index analysis. The results indicated that the vulnerability of urban farmers in the area is caused by lack of access to formal credit (0.95), lack of access to land (0.86), low asset value (0.82), loss of primary income earner (0.81), loss of productive asset (0.73), low farm income (0.71), high dependent population and low level of education (0.69). Also, households that were totally dependent on farm income were 66% more likely to be vulnerable to economic shocks. The study shows the economic vulnerability of urban farmers is high and recommends capacity building, provision of formal credit and provision of land in cities for urban agriculture.