Soil and water conservation practices and challenges in vegetable farming: A case study of urban and peri-urban Accra, Ghana

Urban and peri-urban vegetable farming is vital for sustaining livelihoods and food systems in rapidly growing sub-Saharan African cities. However, the distinct opportunities and challenges faced by urban and peri-urban producers under environmental and socioeconomic pressures remain poorly understood. This study addresses this gap by examining soil and water conservation (SWC) practices and associated constraints from an urban-peri-urban perspective in Ghana's Greater Accra Region. A survey of 130 farmers across five urban sites (Dzorwulu, Airport Residential Area, Okponglo, Korle-Bu, and Kwabenya) and three peri-urban sites (Dawhenya, Pokuase, and Katapor), complemented by 22 key informant interviews, was conducted to compare SWC practices and evaluate barriers to adoption. Farmers employed diverse, often integrated soil fertility management practices, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, poultry manure, and mulching, with choices largely driven by resource availability. Poultry manure use was predominant (96% of urban and 80% of peri-urban farmers) due to accessibility, while mulching adoption (71% urban, 24% peri-urban) reflected site-specific trade-offs. Water management strategies included sprinkler and drip irrigation, and basin planting shaped by costs, infrastructure, and environmental conditions. While climatic pressures, environmental degradation, and limited access to extension services constrained adoption similarly across sites (Mann–Whitney U test, p > 0.05), eviction/compensation risks and financial limitations were significantly more severe in urban areas (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.05). These findings underscore the need for regional interventions that integrate SWC, strengthen land tenure security, and improve access to affordable inputs and irrigation to enhance the resilience and sustainability of urban and peri-urban vegetable production systems.