The study was conducted in the towns of Ambo and Waliso with the main objective of assessing the types, technology use practices, and challenges faced by urban agriculture producers. It focused on all types of urban agricultural practices and related activities carried out in cities. The study used descriptive methods with qualitative survey data. Producers in urban agriculture have adopted and used various agricultural technologies to some extent, but the adoption of these technologies has not been completely optimal. Introducing new dairy and poultry technologies should be supported by continues training or technical assistance on how to manage and use the technology. The major challenges to urban agriculture in Ambo and Waliso towns include lack feed supply, problem of appropriate dairy cows and poultry chicks, high price of agriculture inputs, inadequate modern agriculture facilities and tools, absence of training and experience sharing visits with proper technology use, unavailability of credit services, poor technical support from agricultural offices and respective organizations, problems related to selling places and linkages of actors. Inadequate feed supply, problems with appropriate dairy cows and poultry chickens, high prices of agriculture inputs, insufficient modern agriculture facilities and tools, absence of training and experience sharing visits with proper technology use, unavailability of credit services, poor technical support from agricultural offices and respective organizations, problems with selling places and linkages were the major challenges to urban agriculture in Ambo and Waliso towns. The study findings would help in addressing the need for genuine urban agricultural development interventions, appropriate technology generation, and cost-effective methods to boost urban agricultural productivity and contribute to household livelihood improvement.
Keywords: Urban Agriculture, Agricultural technology, Opportunities, Challenges