Agriculture can be practiced by both urban and rural farmers, and it should provide benefits to those who engage in it by helping them earn income from what they choose to produce.
This article focuses on agriculture in a way that may surprise some people, especially those who associate farming only with rural areas. In this context, agriculture refers to the cultivation of green vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, cabbage, sweet potato leaves, and spinach. This type of farming can be carried out in two main ways.
The first method involves the use of greenhouses, while the second is open-field farming conducted in designated areas. Ideally, the government should allocate specific spaces within urban settings to support such activities.
To better understand this sector, insights were gathered from Hussein Kayera, an urban planning specialist and assistant lecturer at the Ardhi University. He explains the history of urban vegetable farming in Tanzania and how citizens can benefit from it. According to Kayera, urban horticulture is legally recognized, but there are no officially designated areas for it.
Kayera notes that urban agriculture was first permitted by the government in the 1970s, later banned in the 1980s, and then reintroduced in 2000. He emphasizes that farmers can grow vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, spinach, cassava leaves, and other crops within cities.
He points out that while urban vegetable farming is legal and beneficial, the government has not effectively allocated land for it. As a result, many farmers are forced to cultivate crops along rivers and drainage channels, often using water contaminated with industrial waste. This situation poses serious health risks.
According to Kayera, urban agriculture faces several challenges. These include the lack of officially designated farming areas, insecure land ownership, and the use of unsafe water sources. Additionally, some farmers use pesticides improperly, which can harm both producers and consumers.
He further explains that the use of polluted land and water leads to unsafe food production, threatening public health. Other challenges include limited access to reliable markets and difficulties in storing vegetables for long periods without spoilage. However, Kayera believes that if given proper attention, urban agriculture could reduce unemployment and increase the availability of safer, chemical-free vegetables.
A vegetable farmer from the Msimbazi Valley in Dar es Salaam, Janeth Mlinga, shares her experience. She says agriculture is the foundation of her livelihood, providing food and income for her family. Despite concerns that vegetables grown in the valley may be unsafe due to industrial pollution, she maintains that her produce is not harmful.
Mlinga explains that she has been farming spinach, sweet potato leaves, and okra in the valley for over ten years. She says she has never heard of anyone becoming seriously ill or dying from consuming vegetables grown in the area. According to her, the vegetables are safe, and farmers themselves consume what they produce, which assures them of the quality.
However, research conducted by Ardhi University in the Msimbazi Valley paints a different picture. Studies of soil and water samples revealed the presence of harmful chemicals and toxins, exceeding standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).
The research found that some farming areas are also used as dumping sites for hazardous waste, including used batteries, electronic waste, automotive parts, and other materials. These toxic substances often end up in irrigation water, posing serious health risks to consumers.
Further findings showed that vegetables irrigated with contaminated water contained dangerous elements such as lead, copper, and chromium, all of which can negatively affect human health.
Despite these risks, vegetables from the Msimbazi Valley are widely sold in markets across Dar es Salaam, including Ilala, Kariakoo, Buguruni, Tazara, Mwananyamala, Kigogo, Vingunguti, Tabata, and surrounding areas. This highlights the importance of addressing the challenges facing urban agriculture to ensure food safety and protect public health.