A good number of people resident in urban centres are developing interest in agriculture; a phenomenon that demands serious encouragement.

Memories are still fresh on the call by the Head of State on February 11 this year, in his address to the youths for them to “revolutionise their mindset” and get involved in agriculture. In that speech, he equally reminded the youths of the fact that the “soil has never betrayed anyone.” In effect, urban agriculture or agriculture practiced by people living in urban areas is fast becoming an important source of income.

It is providing families with primary or supplementary revenue. Income from urban agriculture is particularly high in many African cities today. In Bamako in Mali, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, the economic return to urban farmers has been estimated to be comparable to the income of unskilled construction workers.

In Yaounde for instance, during the dry season, farmers using wastewater irrigation and working in marshy valleys sell vegetables at more than double the wet-season price. Studies indicate that urban agriculture incomes during this period are estimated to hit 50 per cent above minimum wage.

Even though there are blockages as concerns access to agric land in urban areas, the need to plunge into the activity remains. The youths, many of whom are born in cities and are not aware of the importance of such activity needs to be educated. This is certainly the responsibility of the elders. “It is proper to urge the youths to work the land and it is unwise to dissuade them from doing so”, President Biya said, urging urban workers to set a good example for youths and take up farms in semi-urban areas. Already, a good number of elite are into the activity.

Many are acquiring land in the outskirts and nearby villages where they are developing modern agriculture and producing quite enough both for the market and household consumption.

Livestock in particular is gaining serious ground even though it is not clear if it is legally authorised. In effect, urban livestock production raises different concerns. There is growing worries over the transmission of diseases such as tetanus from livestock waste, improper disposal of animal corpses, and chemical contamination from the overuse of antibiotics and pesticides.

Given the potential benefits of urban agriculture, it will be necessary for government policies on urban planning to address land tenure for farmers and provide access to clean irrigation water to avoid the use of waste water for irrigation with the health consequences one can imagine. This notwithstanding, urban agriculture is proving to be an activity worth relying to boost poverty alleviation and food security.

It is not only a challenge for households but for policy makers who ought to fully integrate this growing sector into the mainstream of the country’s development.