Spatial pattern and distribution of urban farms and climate change adaptation implications in urban Ghana

Abstract

Urban agriculture has gained increasing attention in recent years as a strategy for addressing food security, climate change, and sustainable development challenges in urban areas. However, the spatial pattern and distribution of urban farms and their consequential implications for climate change adaptation have received limited attention in both theory and practice. The study employed a mixed-methods research approach. Geospatial data was collected using the Global Positioning System. The average nearest neighbour (ANN) ratio analysis was done to determine the spatial distribution pattern of urban farms and was supplemented with 12 key informant interviews. The results showed that the rearing of animals—cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry—is clustered across the urban neighbourhood. Also, while keeping animals in open spaces distribution is dispersed, keeping animals in walls roofed with zinc and wooden structures roofed with zinc are clustered within the urban space. Interestingly, the distribution of urban farm sizes portrayed a clustered pattern across space. The results imply that the spatial pattern and distribution of urban farms are influenced by climate change adaptation measures, leading to potential shifts in agricultural practices, land use, and resource allocation within urban areas. Knowledge of the characteristics and distribution of urban farms is pertinent for policymakers and practitioners to focus attention on addressing climate change adaptation strategies and promoting sustainable development. Integration of urban agriculture into land use planning and zoning by the Town and Country Planning Department in Ghana is recommended.

Keywords:

• Urban agriculture
• nature of urban farms
• climate change adaptation
• farm spatial analysis

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Manuel Tejada, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Development Studies
• Cities and the Developing World
• Development Policy
• Urban Development
• Population and Development
• Sustainable Development
• Human Geography
• GIS, Remote Sensing and Cartography

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Endogenous Development Services (EDS) Ghana for providing office space for this work and all the Associates of EDS Ghana, particularly Dr. Issah Baddianaah. Also, we acknowledge the contributions of the following individuals and Institutions during the fieldwork, Mr. Abu Inusah, Mr. Crispin Kanaata Dankana, Mr. Richard B. Bapuurintiere, Mrs. Janet B. Yelfaare, Mr. Alex Tieronwie and Mr. Edward Kandolnyuo. Again, appreciation goes to the Crop and Animals Departments of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), The editorial services from ALHAJI Ibrahim Kwabena ANTWI, Former University Liberian, University for Development Studies, Tamale are acknowledged.

Authors’ contributions

Godwin Kumpong. Naazie: Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND Drafting the work or reviewing it critically for important intellectual content; AND Final approval of the version to be published; AND Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Isaac Agyemang: Drafting the work or reviewing it critically for important intellectual content; AND Final approval of the version to be published; AND Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Anthony Mwinlanaah. Tampah-Naah: Drafting the work or reviewing it critically for important intellectual content; AND Final approval of the version to be published; AND Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [GKN] upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Godwin K. Naazie

Godwin K. Naazie Naazie has a B.A. and MPhil in Environment and Resource Management. He is currently a PhD Candidate at the Department of Environment and Resource Studies, Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), Wa, Ghana, West Africa. His research focus is on agriculture and climate change adaptation. He is also a research fellow at the Endogenous Development Service (EDS), Ghana, and a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, William V.S. Tubman University (WVSTU), Liberia, West Africa. He teaches environmental science related courses.

Isaac Agyemang

Isaac Agyemang Agyemang is an Associate Professor of Environmental Management in the Department of Environment and Resources Studies at the SDD-UBIDS, Wa, Ghana. He holds a PhD from the University of Leeds, UK; a Masters of Human Ecology from the University of Brussels, Belgium; and a B.Sc. from the KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. Prof. Agyemang teaches environmental-related courses at the UBIDS. He has over 30 peer-reviewed journals and has supervised many undergraduates, masters, and Ph.D. theses and external examiner at the Presbyterian University College, Ghana, and the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and member, of KNUST O. R Tambo Ph.D. Research Chair.

Anthony M. Tampah-Naah

Anthony M. Tampah-Naah Tampah-Naah is a senior lecturer at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science and Arts, SDD-UBIDS, Wa, Ghana. He holds a Ph.D. and MPhil in Population and Health and a B.A. in Population and Family Life, all from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. His research focuses on population health, maternal and child health, and food and nutrition security. He has published scientific articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals and supervised many Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. Degree students.