Resource management and agriculture in the periurban interface of Kumasi, Ghana: Problems and prospects

Abstract

This paper outlines pressures on agricultural land in periurban Kumasi, Ghana. A survey of agricultural practices underlines the recent and rapid transition from agricultural to urban land use in the periurban interface, and shows how farmers are reacting by reducing fallow periods. Farmers are also intensifying agriculture near streams and rivers through increased use of irrigation, in response to growing urban markets for a wider range of vegetables. We identify specific problems of water resource pollution and waste management, with particular reference to farmland irrigation. We report results of composting interventions as a community-based waste management strategy. We consider integrated organic waste recycling as a generic strategy to help protect periurban natural resources, to enhance food production through nutrient recycling, and to improve community sanitation.

Quantifying the spatio-temporal patterns of settlement growth in a metropolitan region of Ghana

“…Based on this, the urbanperiphery is conceptualized as a transition zone between fully urbanized land in cities, and areas in predominantly agricultural use (McGregor et al 2011;Webster 2002). As transition zones between the urban and rural, periurban areas are characterised by mixed land uses and indeterminate inner and outer boundaries, and are often split between a number of administrative areas (McGregor et al 2011;Webster 2002).…”

“…Based on this, the urbanperiphery is conceptualized as a transition zone between fully urbanized land in cities, and areas in predominantly agricultural use (McGregor et al 2011;Webster 2002). As transition zones between the urban and rural, periurban areas are characterised by mixed land uses and indeterminate inner and outer boundaries, and are often split between a number of administrative areas (McGregor et al 2011;Webster 2002). In Ghana for example, the lack of effective co-ordination among local governments coupled with a generally weak development control system (Acheampong and Ibrahim 2015;Owusu-Ansah and O'Connor 2006) presents major challenges for effective land use planning and development management in peri-urban areas.…”

Peri-urban morphology and indigenous livelihoods in Ghana

“…In such situations, the traditional livelihoods of peri-urban indigenes are threatened as peri-urban areas assume new urban morphology dominated by urban settlers. While many (Afrane & Amoako, 2011;Maxwell, Larbi, Lamptey, Zakariah, & Arma-Klemesu, 1999;McGregor et al, 2011) have argued that the new peri-urban morphology results in considerable loss of periurban agricultural land, others (Abass, Afriyie, & Adomako, 2013;Maxwell et al, 1999;Simon et al, 2004) are particularly worried about the future of traditional livelihoods particularly agriculture.…”

“…Previous studies (Gough & Yankson, 2000;Owusu & Agyei, 2007;Simon et al, 2004) indicate that the transformation of peri-urban morphology disrupts the livelihoods of peri-urban indigenes e those living in peri-urban communities since birth e who are predominantly small scale farmers, making their living conditions difficult and uncertain. As argued by McGregor et al (2011), continuous physical transformation of peri-urban areas often marginalises peri-urban indigenes particularly small scale farmers.…”

“…Urban planning researchers across the globe and some international organisations have described the emergence of the term peri-urban as a contemporary idea used to describe the peripheral regions of urban areas that absorb urban population spill-over and provide opportunities for the formation of new urban morphology (size and form) comprising rural and urban characteristics (e.g., Akrofi & Whittal, 2011;Amoateng, Cobbinah, & Owusu-Adade, 2013;Iaquinta & Drescher, 2000;McGregor, Adam-Bradford, Thompson, & Simon, 2011;Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, 1979). Peri-urban areas are frequently described as a less complex heterogeneous regions at the outskirt of an urban area e usually spanning 10e25 km from the city centre (Cobbinah & Amoako, 2012) e that provide urban residents an improved quality of life, in terms of environmental and social benefits, and hence sanctuaries for less stressful urban living (Afrane & Amoako, 2011;Brook & D avila, 2000;Mbiba & Huchzermeyer, 2002;Ravertz et al, 2013;Simon et al, 2004).…”