Food Production in Urban Areas: A Study of Urban Agriculture in Accra, Ghana

by Kwaku Obosu-Mensah

Overview

Published in 1999, this book explores the emergence of contemporary urban agriculture as well as official attitudes toward this practice. Using three theoretical models, the author tells us who is more likely to be involved in urban agriculture. In line with this, he explains why, contrary to expectations, in Ghana there are more males than females involved in urban agriculture. The author also addresses issues such as the influence of social inequality and the effects of social networks on urban agriculture. Furthermore, he identifies the problems urban cultivators encounter as city farmers and how they cope with such problems. Finally, the author predicts the future trend in urban agriculture. This thought-provoking book will be of interest not only to public policy makers and planners, but also to students and teachers of African studies, urban studies, and sociology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780429853333
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/20/2018
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	244
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Kwaku Obosu-Mensah

Table of Contents

Contents: The emergence of contemporary urban agriculture; Official attitudes toward urban agriculture; Characteristics of urban farmers; Influence of social inequality on urban agriculture; Effects of social networks on urban agriculture; General problems of urban farmers and ways of coping; Conclusion and policy recommendations; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Sociologist and researcher Kwaku Obosu-Mensah first defines urban agriculture and reviews current theoretical materials on the topic. He then addresses methodology and provides a history of contemporary urban agriculture in Ghana, discussing changes in official attitudes toward urban agriculture and analyzes the importance of social inequality in determining the type of cultivation an individual is likely to engage in. He evaluates the effects of social networks on urban agriculture and discusses problems faced by urban cultivators. In the final section, he predicts the future of the trend in Ghana and other sub-Saharan African countries. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

’All those who seek a deeper understanding of the practices, motives, problems and policy implications of urban agriculture - a growing part of the informal sector in sub-Saharan Africa - will find this book illuminating. The lessons to be learned from this study of food production in Accra apply to a host of other cities in the developing world, and thus the book has broader relevance and value for all urban analysts, development planners and policy makers concerned with alleviating poverty.’ Professor D.B. Freeman, York University, Canada 'This book fills a significant gap in studies on Accra and urban agriculture in West Africa generally...Obosu-Mensah has opened up a little-researched area of Ghanaian studies. Both specialists and non-specialists will find the book very illuminating and well worth reading.' African Studies Review

From the Publisher