The Antecedents' and Behavioral Determinants of Participation Intention in Community Urban Farming

Abstract

Community urban farming provides urban dwellers access to healthy, nutritious, home-grown, low-cost fresh produce. Indeed, it is seen as a mechanism that creates a source of income and reduces the cost of living. However, one of the challenges is the need for greater community participation in active urban farming, which prevents farmers from becoming self-sufficient. This study examines the behavioural determinants of farmers' intention to participate in community urban farming. The study uses the theory of planned behaviour and community development theory and assesses the behavioural determinants using data collected from 310 urban farmers. The results suggest that norm and publicity (subjective norm) are the strongest predictors of intention to participate, followed by farming facilities and costs (perceived behavioural control) and attitude towards community urban farming (attitude). This study provides essential information for policymakers to design better intervention programmes to improve participation in community urban farming so that they become self-sustaining urban farmers.