Paper short abstract:

Migration of farmers from rural farming areas to practice market gardening in cities has received less research attention. Using mixed method approach, the study found that most participants were farmers at community of origin but practice gardening as a livelihood mitigation strategy in the city.

Paper long abstract:

Migration in general is a well-known area of research in all spheres of life but migration of farmers from rural farming communities to practice market gardening in cities is less known especially in Ghana and has received less research attention. Farmers abandon large farmlands, good soils and water sources to migrate to the cities to continue same pre-occupation. This study therefore explored the relationship between migration and market gardening in cities using Accra as a study focus.

The study adopted a concurrent mixed methods approach and migration systems theory and push-pull theory to uncover the causes of rural farmers migration to cities and why market gardening is chosen over other pre-occupations. In all, a total of 150 market gardeners were sampled for the survey and some key informants using probability and non-probability techniques.

The study found that, most participants were farming in their communities of origin prior to migrating to the city. However, market gardening is considered alternative livelihood mitigation strategy for the migrants. The migrants identified were not only Ghanaians but other foreign nationals from neighbouring countries. The study revealed that, chieftaincy disputes, low prices for produce, climate change and irrigation inputs inefficiencies informed migrants to move from rural communities to the cities. Migrant gardeners create hundreds of jobs for city dwellers in the value chain and also remit regularly to families left behind. Nonetheless, access to lands, high inputs cost, freshwater challenges were found to obstruct the sustenance of the industry in Ghana.