A City of Farmers: Informal Urban Agriculture in Open Spaces of Nairobi, Kenya

George Jackson is a retired professional agrologist.

This report details the results of a study of urban agriculture in
Nairobi, Kenya. Freeman, the leader of the study team and the author of
the report, is associated with Toronto’s York University. The study
was conducted in 1987, in co-operation with Nairobi’s Kenyatta
University.

The study found that one-third of the population of this African city
were involved in growing food for use by their immediate families. Many
of these families came from rural areas to find work and fortune in the
city. This form of urban agriculture provided them with a variety of
diet, freed up their money to purchase other goods and services, and
provided a more secure food supply for their families.

Freeman discusses the ownership of the lands used for growing food, the
products grown, the production problems, and the work force necessary.
He suggests that the official plans for cities such as Nairobi should
include provision for urban agriculture. He proposes that “the shambas
(gardens) of Nairobi and other urban centres may be viewed as symbols of
a group of vigorous, energetic and determined workers who, in spite of
poverty and misfortune, have the drive to succeed and to better their
existence.”

This study provides a background for those from other countries who
would impose their values on the lifestyle of other people. Freeman
refers in particular to planners who see urban agriculture as a conflict
with recognized urban-planning goals.

The book includes a glossary of Kiswhali terms and a fairly long
bibliography of economic and geographic studies of urban development in
the Third World. This report should find a place in reference libraries
that serve those conducting African studies.