Sustainable Food Systems in Informal Settlements: Lessons from Urban Farming at Ponda Mali, Nakuru City, Kenya

Abstract

Urban farming remains an occupational panacea positively turning the wheels of food security in many urban households amongst the developing countries. Historically urban agriculture has been condemned amongst the developing countries, with critics framing it as an unwelcome symptom of overurbanization rather than a legitimate economic or spatial activity. While macro-level city plans in many countries overlook the food production capabilities of urban spaces, local residents face persistent challenges in food access and nutritional deficits. A study of 120 households purposed to demystify urban farming as a symptom of overurbanization amongst the developing countries basing on lessons from Ponda Mali Estate Nakuru City’s experience. A mixed method approach was adopted using the following tools; questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentary. The results showed that urban farming was a good strategy for the provision of food in urban setting agreed by both civil servants and self-employed (0.152<9.210 and 0.067<9.210) respectively. Females were more active in this activity compared to their male counterpart (95.8%). Both crop and animal rearing was practiced at Ponda Mali (93.3%). Urban farming was neither for employment nor leisure but a strategy for food security to both employed and self-employed statistically significant as follows (0.067<9.210 for Civil Servants and 0.952<9.210 for self-employed). So, urban farming functions neither as a primary source of employment nor as a leisure activity, but as a critical survival mechanism amongst the food insecure urbanites at Ponda Mali, Nakuru City-Kenya. The lessons drawn from Ponda Mali, Nakuru City can serve as a replicable blueprint for municipal authorities and community leaders designing resilient, self-sustaining food production networks in other informal settlements across developing countries Kenya inclusive.