Economic Assessment of Urban and Peri-Urban Farming in Ibadan, Oyo State

Urban and peri-urban agriculture plays an increasingly important role in food supply and household income generation in rapidly urbanising Nigerian cities. Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in the South West zone, hosts one of the largest urban farming populations in West Africa, with vegetable, poultry, and small ruminant production occurring within and on the outskirts of the city. This study conducts an economic assessment of urban and peri-urban farming enterprises in Ibadan, focusing on land access, enterprise mix, input costs, and revenue generation. Using systematic sampling, 120 farmers were selected from three peri-urban zones of Ibadan for structured questionnaire interviews. Data were analysed using enterprise budgeting, descriptive statistics, and a return-on-investment calculation. Results indicate that vegetable production (especially fluted pumpkin and waterleaf) is the most prevalent enterprise, with an average gross margin of N67,000 per plot per cycle. Land rent was the highest fixed cost component, accounting for 22 percent of total costs. Proximity to markets significantly reduced transaction costs and increased net income. A majority of farmers reported multiple sources of farm income, reflecting diversified livelihood strategies. Key constraints include land insecurity, water scarcity, and urban pressure on agricultural space. The study recommends institutionalising urban agriculture in Ibadan's land use planning framework and providing secure land tenure arrangements for established urban farmers. Keywords: urban farming, peri-urban agriculture, Ibadan, enterprise budget, Oyo State