Caleb Mireri

In: UA Magazine 7 - Economic Aspects of Urban Agriculture

Unlike in rural Kenya where agricultural promotion is an integral part of development initiatives, agriculture is excluded from formal urban land-use systems. However, urban agriculture constitutes a critical food security strategy for low income urban farming families. Also, urban agriculture is an important aspect of urban agribusiness where the sector generates important income and employment opportunities. Urban agriculture lacks access to efficient credit and investment support services. The agro-based industries are playing an important role in the promotion of urban agriculture, which can be enhanced by an organised farmers' society and favourable government policy environment. This paper covers two case studies of farmer-industry linkages in the capital city of Nairobi.