Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2018·Ethiopia

Diversity and nutrient balances of urban and peri-urban farms in Ethiopia

Solomon Tulu Tadesse, O. Oenema, Christy van Beek, Fikre Lemessa Ocho

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems

Urban Farm DB summary

This study investigated the diversity and nutrient balances of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) systems in three Ethiopian cities, using data from 425 households (Addis Ababa: 175, Adama: 126, Jimma: 124). It identified six farm types, including commercial livestock (cLS) and subsistence field crop (sFC) systems. The study found that cLS systems accumulated significant nutrients (450 kg N, 85 kg P, 260 kg K ha−1 year−1) with low use efficiency (26% N and P, 15% K), while sFC systems depleted nutrients (−30 kg N, −17 kg K ha−1 year−1) with high use efficiency.