Urban Agriculture Impacts on the Environment of Awka, Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria

Background and Objective: Economic growth and migration from rural regions fuel urbanization and its spread brings with it a slew of issues, including food insecurity, poverty and the exclusion of some socioeconomic groups from urban social services. Urban agriculture is the raising, processing, food distribution and other essentials through intensive planting and rearing of animals in and around urban areas. This work focused on the impacts of urban agriculture on the environment of Awka, Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria and it portrayed agriculture as a developmental tool that expands the economic base of the city through the production, processing, packaging and marketing of consumable goods. Materials and Methods: The sample for the study was chosen using a multi-stage sampling process. Data acquired from the study were evaluated using simple descriptive statistics and Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient. To represent data from the field survey, descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency distribution tables, percentages and histograms were used. Results: The findings showed that urban agriculture makes a significant contribution to the well-being of some city people by providing revenue, employment for a large population, food security and poverty reduction. Conclusion: The urban agriculture should be considered in a broader context, as a lucrative, commercial activity that may create high earnings and give jobs, not merely for the poor’s survival.