Assessing the Contribution of Urban Agriculture to Household Food Security in Ibadan, Oyo State: A Horticulture-Focused Study

Urban agriculture is increasingly recognized as a food security strategy in rapidly growing Nigerian cities, where food access and affordability remain persistent challenges for low-income urban households. In Ibadan, Oyo State, urban vegetable and fruit production occurs across diverse spaces including vacant plots, backyards, roadsides, and institutional land, yet its contribution to household food security has not been rigorously quantified. This study assesses the contribution of urban horticultural production to household food security in Ibadan, using a mixed-methods approach combining structured household surveys, dietary recall assessments, and focus group discussions. A sample of 180 urban farming households and 180 non-farming control households matched by income level were surveyed. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale scores were compared across groups. Dietary diversity scores and caloric contribution from home-produced vegetables and fruits were computed. Results indicate that urban horticultural households exhibit significantly higher dietary diversity scores and lower food insecurity prevalence compared to matched controls. Home-produced vegetables contribute approximately 22 percent of total household caloric intake in active farming households. The study recommends institutional recognition of urban horticulture as a formal food security strategy and integration of urban farming support into Ibadan's metropolitan food systems planning framework. Keywords: urban agriculture, food security, dietary diversity, Ibadan, urban horticulture