Аннотация
The rapid pace of urbanization in Anambra State, Nigeria, has raised concerns about its impact on agricultural productivity, which remains a vital sector for the region's economy and food security. This study investigates the relationship between urbanization and agricultural production in Anambra State, focusing on how urban growth influences the number of farm households engaged in agriculture. The problem stems from the observed decline in agricultural activities amidst expanding urban areas, which may lead to reduced food output and economic challenges for rural communities. The study employs a descriptive research design, utilizing simple percentages, means, and standard deviations to analyze data collected from 211 respondents across various local government areas. The independent variables considered include population density in urban areas, rate of growth of urban areas, percentage of the population living in urban centers, infrastructure development, level of urban migration, and expansion of urban land areas. The dependent variable is the number of farm households engaged in agriculture. Using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression technique, the analysis reveals significant relationships between the variables. Notably, population density (β = -0.245; p < 0.05) and urban land expansion (β = -0.312; p < 0.01) negatively influence the number of farm households engaged in agriculture. Conversely, infrastructure development (β = 0.198; p < 0.05) and urban migration (β = 0.165; p < 0.10) show positive associations, indicating that improved infrastructure and migration trends can potentially bolster agricultural engagement. The overall model explains approximately 62% of the variation in the dependent variable (R² = 0.62). The findings suggest that unchecked urban growth adversely affects agricultural participation, primarily through land competition and resource diversion. Therefore, policy interventions should focus on sustainable urban planning, promoting agricultural land preservation, and investing in rural infrastructure to support farmers. Encouraging urban-rural linkages and providing incentives for agricultural activities within urbanizing areas could mitigate negative impacts and foster balanced development.