An Assessment on Factors Affecting Urban Vegetable Production in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Urban agriculture has become increasingly important to the residents of Zimbabwe’s cities. We
conducted a survey on the factors affecting urban vegetable production in Harare, Zimbabwe. Our goal
was to assess the characteristics of Zimbabwe’s participants in urban agriculture and the effectiveness of
NGO and government initiatives promoting urban agriculture so as to assist poverty alleviation policy
makers. Data was gathered from the archives of 10 Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Stepwise
multiple linear regression model and K- means cluster were used to analyze the data gathered. Results
showed that income, home ownership, sex, age, and market as a primary source of vegetables
significantly affect residents’ likelihood to participate in urban vegetable production. In the case of urban
youth, it was found that this group is not likely to participate in urban vegetable production, even though
they are the intended beneficiaries of many NGO programs promoting the activity. In addition, it was
found that non-homeowners are not participating in urban vegetable production even though this is a low
income group that could benefit from participation.