Agrotechnology

Urban agriculture for sustainable livelihood: A case of migrant women in Johannesburg

International Conference on Agri Biotech & Environmental Engineering

September 11-12, 2017 San Antonio, USA

Njenyuei Gideon Agho

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnology

Abstract:

The objective of the research was to examine how urban agriculture contributes to the sustainable livelihood of migrant women living in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The study focuses on the Cameroonian women community living in Turffontein. The study assesses the impact of urban agriculture on sustainable livelihood in the lives of Cameroonian women living in this suburb. It also examines the constraints encountered by these women in the practice of urban agriculture for sustainable livelihood. The study is based on a purposeful sample of Cameroonian migrant women living in the inner city of Johannesburg practicing urban agriculture. It uses a mixed method of approach with a transect walk to the area where this women practice the urban agriculture. It also included an in-depth face to face interactive interview and written sources such as journals, books and research reports where combined to gather relevant data. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings of this study reveal that urban agriculture is used as a strategy for sustainable livelihood among several Cameroonian migrant women in Turffontein. The study has also shown how through urban agriculture, these migrant women have been able to raise substantial income to support their respective families both in South Africa and in Cameroon. The study also shows the need to facilitate a proactive program that will support urban agriculture by low-income urban residents and this can be done mostly through government policies and also through the municipal cityâ??s review processes. The government should support the provisional use of urban farm projects and also encourage gardening in small spaces in the inner city of Johannesburg.