Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.26, No.1, 2010
103
PROBLEMS FACED BY URBAN REISDENTS IN PERFORMING URBAN
DOMESTIC HORTICULTURE IN HAYATABAD TOWNSHIP: PESHAWAR
AYESHA KHAN and UROOBA PERVAIZ
Department of Agricultural Extension Education and Communication, NWFP Agricultural University,
Peshawar - Pakistan.
ABSTRACT
In this research article an attempt is made to identify the kind and extent of horticultural activities,
problems faced, availability of extension service and suggestions for the type of extension services needed in
Hayatabad Township, Peshawar. A list of constructed houses of 4 phases i.e. I, II, III and IV of plot sizes 5 Marla,
10 Marla, 1 Kanal and 2 Kanal was obtained from Peshawar Development Authority (PDA). A stratified random
sample of 50 owner-occupied houses was drawn with proportional allocation for 4 house sizes. An interview
schedule was used to collect data during March- April 2008. The study found that all the respondents of the sampled
households were literate. The sampled households were residing for an average of about 8 years. The horticultural
activities comprised of lawns, flower plants, creepers, trees (Fruit and ornamental) and kitchen garden. The
association between horticultural activities and plot size were significant for all horticultural activities except
flower pots which was non-significant. The residents faced problems in the maintenance of activities and significant
relation exist between problems and plot size for only lawns and kitchen garden. The households resolved their
problems mostly through informal consultations. No formal system of extension services was available to cater for
the domestic horticultural activities and solutions of problems. It is suggested that special write-ups, electronic
media programmes (radio/TV) and constitution of forum of experts/professionals for consultation on problems and
needs of domestic horticulture.
Key Words: Urban domestic horticulture, problems of domestic horticulture, urban residents, extension services.
Citation: Khan, A and U. Pervaiz. 2010. Problems faced by urban residents in performing urban domestic
horticulture in Hayatabad township. Sarhad J. Agric. 26(1): 103-109.
INTRODUCTION
No developing country can afford to ignore the phenomenon of urbanization, which will be one of the
strongest social forces in coming years, especially in developing countries. Within the next 20 years, more poor and
undernourished people in developing countries will live in the cities than in rural areas. Today there are 35 cities
whose population surpasses 5 million inhabitants and most of these are located in developing countries (Girardet,
1995). The urban population in developing countries is growing three times faster (3 % annually) than the rural
population (less than 1 % annually). By the year 2030, the rural population will have grown by more than 235
million, but the urban population will have grown by 2.4 billion (United Nations, 1998). Proper vegetation in the
urban localities particularly the residential houses has become of paramount importance on many counts- clean
environment, aesthetic view, hobby and light physical exercise, kitchen garden for reduced dependence on rural
products and getting fresh fruits and vegetables and is also a source of generating additional earnings. Almost all
urban residents have some vegetation depending on available space in their house premises. The spacious houses
have varied vegetation- lawns, flower plants, vegetables or kitchen garden, fruit and ornamental trees. Both the
owner and Malis look after the vegetation.
Urban Agriculture/Horticulture
Horticulture is derived from two Latin words ‘hortus’ means ‘garden’ and ‘calere’ is ‘to cultivate’. Janick
defines horticulture as “that branch of agriculture concerned with intensively cultivated plants used for food, for
medicinal purposes or for aesthetic gratification”. Urban agriculture, defined as production in the home or plots in
urban or peri-urban areas, is more widespread and important than generally thought. Some believe that it is not only
a potentially significant source of income, food, energy, and micronutrients for family members, but that it can also
benefit the environment by providing a way to reuse solid wastes and water. A number of studies now exist on the
topic (Yeung, 1985; Sanyal, 1985; Rakodi, 1988; Lee-Smith et al. 1987; Freeman, 1991; Mvena, Lupanga, and
Ayesha Khan et al. Problems faced by urban residents in performing urban domestic horticulture…
104
Mlozi, 1991; Sawio, 1993; Mbiba, 1995; Drakakis-Smith, 1991; Egziabher et al. 1994; Maxwell, 1995; Maxwell
and Zziwa, 1992; UNDP, 1996). Smith et al. (1996) cite surveys that found that from 28% to 80 % of urban
households in developing countries practice some form of urban agriculture. In Asia, commercial urban farming is
more highly developed, especially with regard to vegetable and perishable-food production, but much of this
production is also for home consumption (Prudencio-Bohrt, 1993). Still, most research on urban agriculture
continues to reflect the conclusions of Sanyal (1985) that it is predominantly a strategy adopted by households
whose monetary incomes are inadequate to purchase sufficient food (Maxwell 1995; Maxwell and Zziwa, 1992).
Benefits of Urban Domestic Horticulture
Floriculture, fruit and ornamental trees, vegetables or kitchen garden and grassy lawns are important
activities in most urban residences. The houses undoubtedly give a pleasant and colourful look with freshness and
fragrance in the air, clean and clear atmosphere and healthy environment and a sober soothing morning effect. All
very essential for agile mental and robust physical health. Urban greening can reduce air pollutants to varying
degrees. Air pollution is directly reduced when dust and smoke particles are trapped by the vegetation. In addition,
plants absorb toxic gases, especially those from vehicle exhausts, which are a major component of urban smog
(Nowak et al.1996). Akbari et al. (1992) found that tree shade could reduce the average air temperature in buildings
by as much as 5 degree Celsius.
Significance of Urban Agriculture
As with any farm household, a household involved in urban agriculture is both producer and consumer.
Urban agriculture also improves access to food by raising incomes if production is sold. The significance of urban
agriculture can be measured in several ways: in terms of the proportion of the urban population engaged in the
practice, in terms of income and employment, in terms of total production, and in terms of the impact on access to
food and nutrition. In any case, the importance of urban agriculture varies with the city. Availability of land and
agricultural inputs and municipal policies toward farming determine the extent of urban agriculture in most cases.
The urban sector, residential localities in particular with their much needed vegetation, has received no attention
under the prevailing agricultural extension system and services. Virtually these have been ignored and neglected in
spite of their rapid growth- in number, population, territorial expansion, planned housing, centers of socio-economic
development, trade and commerce and seats of public and private sector set-ups- federal, provincial, regional and
district. Domestic horticulture is being practiced by every household in the space available in every township in
Pakistan. However, little is known, at least in scientifically studied and documented form, about the state of the art
of domestic horticulture being pursued. The residents do face problems about their horticultural pursuits, mostly for
want of extension services. This research paper “Problems Faced by Urban Residents in Performing Domestic
Horticulture in Hayatabad Township, Peshawar” is an attempt to explore the nature of domestic horticulture and
problems faced.
Objectives
These include the following:
i. The kind and extent of horticultural activities carried out in owner occupied houses.
ii. The problems faced in carrying out the horticultural activities.
iii. The availability of extension services/ personnel for problem solving.
iv. The suggestions about the type of extension services required.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Hayatabad Township, Peshawar was selected as a case-study for this survey. In early 1970s Peshawar
Development Authority (PDA) launched Hayatabad Township. It has seven Phases, out of these four were selected.
The owner-occupied houses of 4 phases i.e. I, II, III and IV constituted the sample frame. Each phase has varied
number of houses of 4 sizes- 5 Marla, 10 Marla, 1 Kanal and 2 Kanal. A list of constructed houses was obtained
from PDA. The township had 11563 residential plots. Owners had constructed houses on 4165 plots (36%). A
stratified random sample of 50 owner-occupied houses was drawn with proportional allocation for 4 sizes of houses.
The formula of proportional allocation is:
nh = n × Nh / N
The distribution of sampled houses by size and phase is given in Table I.
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.26, No.1, 2010
Table I
Phase
I
II
III
IV
Total
105
Phase-wise number of total constructed/sampled houses by plot size
Number of total constructed/sampled houses by size
5 Marla
10 Marla
1 Kanal
2 Kanal
Total
Sampled
Total
Sampled
Total
Sampled
Total
Sampled
553
7
435
5
200
2
164
2
147
2
136
2
443
5
252
3
501
6
353
4
276
3
2
285
3
203
3
214
3
1
1484
18
1127
14
1133
13
419
5
Total
Total
1352
978
1132
701
4163
Sampled
16
12
13
9
50
An interview schedule was used as a research tool for the collection of required data. Data were collected
during March - April 2008. Frequency distribution tables were made and Chi-Sq test was used to find association
between different variables.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Family Education
Urban localities in general have relatively more and higher literacy rate and education among both males
and females. The literacy and education of the 50 surveyed households are presented by gender and by house size in
Table II.
Table II
Educational status of sampled respondents by gender and house size
Household Members by Gender and by House Size
5 Marla
10 Marla
1 Kanal
2 Kanal
Family
M
F
M
F
M
F
M
F
Education
Matric
3
6
3
7
3
Higher
26
24
34
26
28
22
11
8
Students
33
21
11
13
12
10
4
3
Total
62
51
75
46
38
35
15
11
Note: M stands for Male and F for Female.
Total (%)
Sub-Total
M
F
6
16
99
80
60
47
165
143
22 (7)
179(58)
107(35)
308(100)
The data presented in Table II show that all the respondents in the sampled households were literate. Out of
these, 22 members of sampled households were educated up to matric, in which 6 were male and 16 were female.
The respondents further reported that 179 members of sampled households were having higher degrees and 107
members were students.
Years of residence
The PDA staggered phase-wise allotment of plots in Hayatabad. Allottees, however, constructed houses in
accordance with their convenience and need. The respondents, therefore, were residing in their houses for varying
number of years (3-25). This information is shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 shows that about 44% of the total sampled households were residing in Hayatabad Township for up
to 10 years. The remaining 56% of the respondents were residing for over 20 years. It is pertinent to note that only
residents of 5 Marla were living in the township for more than 20 years. The average period of residing households
was 8.03 years. The number of years of residence may have some reflection on the state of horticulture- normally
the longer duration the better and more mature the plants.
Horticultural Activities
Every household has some horticulture, depending on the space spared after utilization for family living.
Table III displays output for testing the significance of the relationship for size of plot and horticultural activities. It
is clear from the output that relationship is statistically significant as (P< 0.01) and we reject the null hypothesis of
no relationship. Only flower pots have non-significant relationship with plot size. The bigger the house size, the
larger the available space and greater the scope for more varied horticulture- lawns, flower plants, fruit and
ornamental trees and vegetables. Our results are in conformity with (Lalitha, 2004) who concluded that farm size
was found significant in adoption and diffusion of agricultural technologies.
Ayesha Khan et al. Problems faced by urban residents in performing urban domestic horticulture…
106
12
10
Frequency
8
6
plot size
4
5 marla
10 marla
2
1 kanal
0
2 kanals
upto 10 years
11-20 years
21> years
year of residence
Fig. 1. Years of residence
Table III Associations between horticultural activities and plot size
Horticultural Activity
Plot Size
5 Marla
10 Marla
1 Kanal
No.
%
No.
%
No.
%
Lawn
No
12
67
6
33
Yes
6
19
8
25
13
41
Flower beds
No
11
73
3
20
1
7
Yes
7
20
11
31
12
34
Flower pots
No
3
50
2
33
1
17
Yes
15
34
12
27
12
27
Creepers
No
10
67
4
26
1
7
Yes
8
23
10
29
12
34
Trees (Fruit)
No
12
71
5
29
Yes
6
18
9
27
13
40
Trees
No
10
63
5
30
1
7
(Ornamental)
Yes
8
23
9
27
12
35
Kitchen Garden
No
18
46
12
31
8
20
2
18
5
46
Yes
*
N.S
2 Kanal
No.
%
5
15
5
15
5
12
5
14
5
15
5
15
1
3
4
36
Total
Chi.Sq
18
32
15
35
6
44
15
35
17
33
16
34
39
11
17.7*
14.01*
1.35 N.S
10.83*
17.85*
10.56*
17.41*
Significant at 1%
Non-significant
Horticultural Problems
The households were consulted about the problems and difficulties faced in carrying out horticultural
activities. The major problems reported were; watering, weeds, insects/pests, lack of sunshine, ants, poor soil and
lack of guidance and know-how. The results regarding association between horticultural problems and size of plot
are presented in Table IV. It is clear from the results that lawn and kitchen gardening has significant (P<0.01)
relationship with plot size while flower plants and trees has non-significant relationship.
Solution of problems
The households were consulted as to how they solved their problems regarding horticultural activities.
Their responses are given below in Table V.
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.26, No.1, 2010
107
Table IV Associations between horticultural problems and plot size
Plot Size
Horticultural Problems
5 Marla
10 Marla
1 Kanal
No.
%
No.
%
No.
%
No
14
50
32
3
11
Lawn (Watering, Weeds, poor
soil, insect/pests, sunshine)
Yes
4
18
5
23
10
46
Flower plants (watering, dust,
No
10
39
8
31
5
19
ants, diseases, sunshine, lack of
Yes
8
33
6
25
6
33
guidance)
Trees (watering, fruit flies and
No
12
44
8
30
6
22
pests, thining, slow growth, not
Yes
6
26
6
26
7
30
bearing fruit)
Kitchen Garden (disease,
No
18
43
13
31
9
21
insects/pests, sunshine, lack of
Yes
1
13
4
50
know-how)
*
N.S
Total
Chi.
Sq
28
22
26
24
10.09*
2 Kanal
No.
%
2
7
3
13
3
11
2
9
1.32
N.S
1
4
4
18
27
23
3.86
2
3
5
37
42
8
13.55*
N.S
Significant at 1%
Non-significant
Table V Problems solutions by sampled households
Solution
5 Marla
No effort made
2
Personal Know-how
7
Mali Takes Care
3
Professionals Consulted
4
Private Nurseries Approached
-
Number of houses by house size
10 Marla
1 Kanal
2 Kanal
2
4
8
10
4
4
6
5
5
7
3
2
3
Total
8
29
18
19
5
Table V shows that the members of 29 households personally tried to solve horticultural problems, while
19 sampled households consulted professionals, Malis/gardener took care of 18 houses, while 5 households
approached private nurseries around the township to solve their horticulturist problems. Only 8 households made no
effort to solve their problems. This situation calls for urban extension activities under the supervision of qualified
staff (Ayesha, 2003).
Extension personnel
The 50 households were consulted about the state of extension personnel and services, providing the
desired information regarding their domestic horticultural activities and operations and resolution of their
difficulties. Their responses are given by size of houses in Table VI.
Table VI
Extension personnel of government, private sector organizations and NGOs in Hayatabad
No. of Houses by Size
Extension Personnel of
5 Marla
10 Marla
1 Kanal
2 Kanal
Government Extension Services
Private Sector Organizations
3
1
3
1
NGOs
1
Others
i. Friends/Relatives/Neighbours
3
2
3
2
ii. Consultation with Professionals
1
1
1
1
iii. Mali contacted Experts
2
Total
10
4
7
4
Total
8
1
10
4
2
25
It is evident from Table VI that no extension personnel of government and non-government organizations
provided horticultural information to the households. However, 8 households did get some information from
personnel of private sector organizations particularly during their sale promotion campaigns about their products;
one-fifth households consulted friends, neighbours, and relatives; and 4 households approached professionals when
need arose; while 2 households left the matter to their Malis to make necessary contact with concerned quarters for
remedial measures.
Ayesha Khan et al. Problems faced by urban residents in performing urban domestic horticulture…
108
Ostensibly Hayatabad had extension personnel of neither public nor private sector organizations, nor even
NGOs. Hence, horticultural needs of residents of Hayatabad were not formally tended to by professionals. Even the
informal consultations among the friends, neighbours and relatives were rare. Hayatabad, thus, need urgently
extension services for proper development of domestic horticultural pursuits and resolution of the problems
residents faced in fructification of their efforts.
Households suggestions for urban extension services
Lastly, suggestions of the 50 households were solicited in respect of required Urban Extension Services.
Varying number of households offered many suggestions, which are presented by house size in Table VII.
Table VII
Surveyed household’s suggestions for urban extension services
No. of Houses by Size
5 Marla
10 Marla
1 Kanal
SUGGESTIONS
Specific Professional Services
5
7
5
Regular transmissions of Radio, T.V.
7
4
3
Specific Information and Know-how
6
4
3
Special Write-ups on Domestic Horticulture
3
5
4
Training, Seminar and Workshops
1
3
Seasonal Visits by Horticultural Experts
1
1
Hayatabad Advisory Body
Films, Shows, Competitions for Motivation
Total
21
22
19
Note: Totals do not tally due to multiple answers.
Total
2 Kanal
4
2
2
3
1
1
1
14
21
16
15
15
4
3
1
1
76
Table VI lists suggestions of owner residents of Hayatabad Township, which focus on information, knowhow and advice on specific activities of urban domestic horticulture in the form of professional services, write-ups
and regular Radio and T.V transmissions. These suggestions reflect the needs of the residents to equip themselves
with the ken, the know-how and the do-how, for improvement of their horticulture.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This case study of horticultural problems in owner-occupied houses of Hayatabad Township has come out
with the following conclusions. Horticultural activities in Hayatabad comprised of lawns, floriculture- seasonal and
perennial flower plants and creepers, fruit and ornamental trees and kitchen garden. The households faced problems
in maintenance of lawns, floriculture, trees and vegetables and resorted to informal consultations with neighbours,
relatives and professionals to solve their problems. The major problems reported were; watering, weeds,
insects/pests, lack of sunshine, ants, poor soil and lack of guidance and know-how. It is also concluded, that
Hayatabad residents had no formal system of extension services to cater for the domestic horticultural activities and
solution of their problems.
Well-organized formal extension education programmes and services are needed for the horticultural
activities and operations being carried out by urban dwellers in their residences. Keeping in view the above
discussion, the following recommendations are offered.
i.
Special write-ups, pamphlets and leaflets, booklets and instructional manuals should be prepared by the
agricultural scientists, and agricultural extension services, to cater for the varied needs of the domestic
horticulture.
ii. The electronic media, Radio and TV should arrange specific education programmes for urban domestic
horticulture. The transmission should suit timings of the urban residents, preferably in the morning for
women and in the afternoon and evening for men.
iii. Constitution of a forum of professionals, retired and on-job, for consultations on problems and needs,
which arise more frequently and require urgent solutions for benefit of domestic horticulture.
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.26, No.1, 2010
109
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