The Effect of Innovative Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture on Resource use Efficiency in Bamenda City, Cameroon

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) has increasingly been recognized for its potential to affect resource use efficiency (RUE). By employing innovative practices and technologies, UPA helps reduce resource waste, improves productivity, and supports sustainability in cities. The main objective of this study was to investigate the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture innovations to resource use efficiency in the Bamenda City. Data was collected from 402 farmers practicing UPA in Bamenda city with the use of questionnaire. The Ordinary Least Squares-OLS method was employed and the empirical findings showed that overall; the practice of innovative UPA has a positive and significant effect on RUE. When decomposed into the use of organic and inorganic fertilizer, the effect is higher when farmers use inorganic than organic fertilizers. Access to extension services increases RUE more when inorganic, than organic fertilizers are used. These findings are consistent with empirical literature, demonstrating that innovative UPA plays a crucial role in enhancing RUE, particularly through the use of improved seeds, fertilizers, and extension services. The study recommends the advancement of policies that encourage the adoption of sustainable farm methods, such as the use of organic fertilizers, composting, water harvesting, and efficient irrigation systems, to optimize resource use. The study further recommends that extension services that provide tailored training on proper fertilizer application techniques and effective implementation of innovative UPA should be implemented by urban and peri-urban farmers to avoid misuse of resources and to ensure sustainability.