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INFLUENCE OF URBAN FARMING ON POVERTY STATUS OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the economic potentials of urban farming as poverty reduction strategy among urban dwellers, using the case of civil servants in Ogun State, Nigeria as an example. The study was based on a cross-section survey of 150 civil servants selected by multi-stage sampling technique. One hundred of the sampled civil servants were involved in farming. Primary data were collected on socio-economic characteristics, income, and returns from various economic activities undertaken by members of the selected civil servantsâ€™, among others. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and logit regression as well as Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices. The study found that majority (62%) of the civil servants was male, with 66.7% having tertiary education. The mean age of the respondents was 40 years. Most (97%) of those engaged in urban farming were senior civil servants on grade level 7 and above, majority (71%) of which were engaged in livestock production dominated by poultry and/or fish farming. The mean income of the sampled civil servants was N58, 456.00/month. Income from urban farming accounted 48.9% of the total income of an average civil servant that was involved in farming (N67,704.00/month ). Studentâ€™s t- test of difference between two means showed that the mean household income of civil servants that were engaged in urban farming is significantly higher (t=6.09, p<0.01) than that of their counterparts that were not (N39,910.00/month). Using the mean per capita income (N58, 456.00/month) as the relative poverty line, the study found that 60.7% of the civil servants were relatively poor. The poverty incidence was however lower among households of civil servants that were engaged in urban agriculture (49.3%) than those that were not (82.0%). OLS regression analysis revealed that income from urban agriculture is significantly (p<0.01) enhanced by the amount of funds invested, farming experience (p<0.01). Those engaged in livestock production were also revealed as having significantly (p<0.01) higher farm income than those engaged in crop production. Logit regression analysis also revealed that the likelihood of falling below the relative poverty line is reduced with involvement in urban farming (p<0.05) and/or other non-salary income generating activities (p<0.01). The study, therefore, concluded that practicing urban farming as a secondary occupation and investment/participation in non-salary income generating activities by civil servants can contribute significantly to reducing poverty among civil servants. The study thus recommended government support/encouragement for civil servants to be engaged in part-time urban farming as part of the strategies for lowering poverty level among urban dwellers, most especially, civil servants.