ABSTRACT

In urban areas where household food security relies on household income, work opportunities and an efficient grocery store system are crucial to improving access to food. In this study, the researcher used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches in order to ascertain and be able to describe the characteristics                      of variables of interests in situation. In addition, the study was also said to be explanatory in design because there is intent to establish the relationship between dependent variable of the study. Additionally, graphs, tables and charts were used to organize and illustrate the data clearly and precisely were be employed questioner, interview. 48.2% of respondents were food secure, while 23.1% and 28.7% of them were slightly and moderately food insecure respectively. 33.8% of respondents believed that crop production helped them to meet variety of food needs for daily consumption and the rest replied it was not sufficient to meet their daily varieties of food needed. Most of respondents replied their income was increased by urban agriculture they engaged in. Results showed that 72.3% of respondents have land resources used for urban agriculture and 27.7% replied they didn’t have land resources used for farm. There was food insecurity prevalence among urban agriculture engaged households therefore this needs additional supports and increasing intensity of urban agriculture types.

Keywords: Crop production, urban agriculture, Food security, Bamenda III municipality

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Crop production plays a vital role in ensuring household food security on a global scale. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), crop production is the foundation of the world’s food systems, providing the majority of the world’s food supply (FAO, 2020).  Crop production contributes to food security in several ways. Firstly, it provides households with a source of income, which can be used to purchase food and other household necessities. Secondly, crop production provides households with a source of food that is often fresher and more nutritious than store-bought alternatives. Finally, crop production can help to build resilience against food insecurity by providing households with the skills and resources needed to grow their own food. In many developing countries, crop production is the primary source of food for households. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, more than 60% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods, according to the World Bank. In these regions, crop production is often the only way for households to access enough food to meet their basic needs (World Bank 2021).

Crop production is a critical component of food security in Africa, as it provides the bulk of the food consumed by households in the region. In this section, we will discuss the contributions of crop production to households’ food security in Africa. Firstly, crop production provides households with a diverse range of food items. Households can cultivate a variety of crops that can provide them with different nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This diversity in crop production ensures that households have access to a balanced diet, which is essential for good health. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, 2019), over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land is in Africa, which presents an opportunity for households to cultivate a variety of crops. Secondly, crop production contributes to household income and livelihoods. Crop production can provide households with income through the sale of surplus produce. This income can be used to purchase other food items that the household may not be able to produce, such as meat, dairy products, and processed foods. Income from crop production can also be used to invest in other income-generating activities, such as livestock rearing or small businesses. Thirdly, crop production can enhance food security in times of food shortages and emergencies. Crop production can help households to build food reserves that can be used during periods of food shortages or emergencies, such as droughts, floods, or conflicts. Households can store surplus produce, which can be consumed when there is a shortage of food in the market or when food prices are high (Ndiritu, 2019).

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions in the world that suffers from food insecurity due to several factors, including poverty, climate change, and conflicts. According to the World Bank, more than 239 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were hungry or malnourished in 2019 (World Bank, 2021). Crop production is critical for food security in sub-Saharan Africa as it provides the majority of the food consumed in the region. Smallholder farmers produce about 80% of the food in sub-Saharan Africa (FAO, 2019). These farmers grow a variety of crops, including maize, beans, cassava, sweet potato, and sorghum, among others. Crop production contributes to food security in several ways, including: increasing food availability, diversification, income generation, etc. Crop production increases food availability, which is one of the pillars of food security. When farmers grow crops, they increase the amount of food available for consumption, either for their own households or for sale in local markets. Crop production enables households to diversify their diets, which is essential for good nutrition. Growing a variety of crops ensures that households have access to different types of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Crop production provides a source of income for households. Farmers can sell their crops in local markets, which provides them with money to purchase other food items or invest in other income-generating activities. Crop production improves households’ resilience to shocks such as droughts, floods, and other climate-related disasters. When households have their own food production, they are better able to cope with food shortages and price spikes in local markets. Crop production plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for households in sub-Saharan Africa (Devereux, 2018). It increases food availability, diversifies diets, generates income, and improves households’ resilience to shocks. Therefore, it is essential to invest in crop production to promote food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition in the region (Christiaensen, 2018).

In African countries UA is a common practice in almost every city. FAO (2012) states that 35 million of urban residents in the continent are expected to practice urban agriculture by 2020. In Bamenda, over half of residents practise UA whereas in other regions such as Bamenda III and Yaoundé in Cameroon many urban residents raise livestock such as poultry, dairy cattle and pigs (Tefere, 2010).This is mainly meant to achieve food security. Another factor to drive the rise of UA is the increasing demand for perishable goods, together with the comparative advantages of producing in the proximity of markets and the access to soil fertility improving matter such as organic waste and waste, and access to unoccupied public land.

In Cameroon urban off plot agriculture is more pronounced during the rainy season when maize the main crop grown. Mashoko (2010) states that cultivation takes place in almost every vacant place and maize fields become part of the cities‟ landscape. UA is on the increase since many individuals in urban areas are trying to coup up with food shortages and looking for means of survival through the engaging themselves into agricultural activities (Basure and Taru., 2010).

Crop production plays a crucial role in ensuring household food security in Cameroon. In fact, agriculture is the mainstay of the country’s economy, providing employment for over 70% of the population and contributing about 20% to the country’s GDP (FAO, 2021). Crop production in Cameroon is diversified and includes both food and cash crops. Food crops such as cassava, maize, plantains, and yams are staple foods for many households, while cash crops such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber provide income for farmers. According to a study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in 2013, crop production accounts for about 80% of the dietary energy supply in Cameroon. The study found that households that produce their own food have a higher dietary diversity and consume more animal products, which are important sources of protein, than those that do not.  Furthermore, crop production contributes to household income and food security through the sale of surplus produce. Farmers are able to earn income from the sale of their crops, which can be used to purchase other food items or invest in other income-generating activities.  However, crop production in Cameroon faces several challenges, including inadequate access to inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, poor infrastructure, and climate change. These challenges can limit the productivity and profitability of crop production, which can in turn affect household food security.

Crop production plays a significant role in ensuring food security in households in the North West region of Cameroon. The region is known for its fertile soils, suitable climatic conditions, and diverse agroecological zones that support the cultivation of various crops. The production of crops such as maize, beans, rice, cassava, and potatoes provides food for households and generates income for farmers. According to a study conducted by Ndam et al. (2015), crop production contributes to about 70% of household food needs in the North West region of Cameroon. The study revealed that maize is the most commonly cultivated crop in the region, followed by beans and cassava. These crops are grown mainly for subsistence purposes, but surplus production is sold in local markets, providing income for farmers and contributing to local food security. Another study by Awung et al. (2018) examined the contribution of crop production to household food security in the North West region of Cameroon. The study revealed that crop production played a significant role in ensuring food security, with households relying on multiple crops to meet their dietary needs. The study found that maize, cassava, and beans were the most important crops for household food security, with households using these crops to prepare various food items such as fufu, garri, and porridge. Crop production plays a vital role in ensuring food security in households in the North West region of Cameroon. The production of crops such as maize, beans, rice, cassava, and potatoes provides food for households and generates income for farmers. These crops are grown mainly for subsistence purposes, but surplus production is sold in local markets, providing income for farmers and contributing to local food security.

However, crop production in  Bamenda is encountering challenges that are external to the system. The shortage of specific policy and strategy, institutional instability and lack of technical support to the world, the rapidly growing population pressure, competition of other investment sectors are the profound constraints of urban farming (Mandefro, 2010). The limitation within the area of research associated with the food security contributions of the arena is additionally another shortcoming of urban agriculture. Therefore, it’s highly important to grasp the contribution of crop production to household food security and income level for evidence based political beliefs and for future steps taken for any improvement in contributions of CP.

Thus, the motive behind finishing up this research is to explore the understanding that crop production contributes to the household’s food securities, a case of urban agriculture in Bamenda III municipality.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In the present-day world urbanization is escalating over time within the expense of arable land. Cities throughout the globe face with unpredictable social, economic and ecological challenges, not slightest of which is a way to give to eat their growing population (UN, 2006). The potentials of crop production in Cameroon, especially within the big cities do not seem to be to be doubted just in case of Urban agriculture in Bamenda III ; Government has recognized crop production mutually of the important tools to finish poverty (Thoma, 2013). CP has been dispensed in most areas of  Bamenda ; but it’s not known why those urban dwellers of the sub-cities chose to have interaction in such a venture, and what constraints they’re facing. Crop production tremendously contributes to the improved food and nutritional security at household and community level. Its implications for food security are the increased supply of fresh and perishable food products like milk and vegetables, satisfying the consumption need of the urban poor and increased income of households engaged within the production, processing and marketing of UA products. Though, crop production within the city administration of  Bamenda has been undermined and even wasn’t supported by the event policy and/or strategy. The institutional instability and in appropriate organizational setup of UA office within the city also dropped at the inadequate facilities and limited instruction for the people engaged in urban agriculture.

Generally, researches undertaken within the fields of agriculture are highly specializing in the agricultural Centre; however, with in the case of crop production it absolutely was not given due attention that it deserves. To that effect, the contribution of crop production to the households’ food security and also the national economy wasn’t statistically measured and made available. The widespread misconception of the world related to the limited awareness on the potential role of crop production brought to insufficient consideration by the event actors. On top of those, the world is constrained by exogenous factors just like the rapidly increasing growth compounded by urbanization and expansion of settlements, dwindling of land and water resources used for urban agriculture, lack of technologies  appropriates to urban agriculture, competition of other investment sectors, and threats like environmental hazards.

Many of the urban development studies in developing countries think about housing, urban services, and nonagricultural informal activities (Muluget, 2006). However, they mainly exclude or give little attention to CP; even those studies that were conducted within the area of CP, they paid attention to the environmental concerns and a touch concern to any or all food security dimensions in order that the researcher built a heartfelt aspiration to point out the importance of CP in addressing the two basic dimensions of food security, availability and access and its converging role to the achievement of the food security goal at household level. In due consideration of the above reasons, the researcher has intended to hold out study research deliberately selecting the Bamenda III Municipality to examines the food security contributions of the crop production within the selected urban farmers. The planners and the policy makers would be guided by the findings of such studies in formulating suitable policies that will help in increasing crop production and reducing the household food insecurity.

1.3. Research Questions

Given the focus of this study, the following questions will be addressed in the research:

1. What are major types of urban Agricultural production practices the study areas?
2. What are the key opportunities and challenges crop production productions in the study area?
3. What are the facing factors are affecting crop production in the study area?

1.4 Objective of the study

General Objective of the research was to explore the contribution of crop production (CP) to the household food security of urban farmers in Bamenda III, taking Bamenda III as a case study. The Specific objectives of the research are to:

1. Evaluate the current crop production practice in the study area
2. Identify the constraints and opportunities associated with crop production in the study
3. Assess contributions of crop production to household food security in the study areas