This research paper is a study on urban agriculture with particular emphasis on small-scalerndairy farming in selected areas of Addis Ababa. The general objective of the study is tornidentify some of the major problems and constraints faced by the urban dairy farmers, andrninvestigate and explain the character and role of urban agriculture with emphasis to smallscalerndairy farming. It also tries to see the types of assistance needed and suggestes possiblernsolutions to the problems.rnThe analysis of the study utilized both primary and secondary data. The primary data wererncollected through a questionnaire survey that covered 240 small-scale dairy farmingrnhouseholds with less than five dairy cows in their herd in twelve 'weredas', two 'weredas'rneach from the six zones, of Addis Ababa. The 'weredas' are located in the central andrnperipheral parts of the city. The secondary data were collected from different libraries,rndocument centers, organizations and offices.rnThe study discusses the role of urban agriculture in connection with nutrition and foodrnsecurity, income generation and employment, and environmental improvement. Anrnassessment was also made on the problems of urban agriculture. An attempt was made torninvestigate the socio-economic and demographic profile of the dairy farming households.rnAccordingly, people in the higher age groups with low level of education and largernhousehold size, well established migrants, males (85.5%), married (76.5%) and people fromrndiverse occupation groups are major participants. Amhara and Oromo ethnic groupsrncomprise the bulk of the dairy farmers (88%) and 93.3% of the producers belong tornOrthodox religion.rnAs the findings of the study reveal, the need to feed family as the major factor that motivatedrndairy farmers to start the activity is 59.2% and business at residence as the majorrnconsideration in site selection is 75.0%. Most of the dairy farmers initially purchased dairyrncows to start operation (80.8%) using their own money (82.1%) and acquired informationrnand skills to run activity mainly from relatives/friends (80.8%).rnThe dairy herd in both locations is composed of local, crossbred and pure exotic breeds.rnThe local breeds are found to have extended calving intervals, short lactation lengths andrnlow milk yields compared to crosses and exotic breeds. Average production of milk and fat, original cost and feed supply were major factors considered in initial breed selection.The producers mainly conduct the dairying activity using family labour in smaller land area,rnincluding the living accommodation. Stall-feeding is practiced in both locations, but grazingrnis also common in the periphery, and the major feed sources include hay, wheat bran,rnconcentrate oil cake and "atela". Animal feed is not only costly but its availability is alsornseasonal. Feed is brought to farm using vehicles, donkeys and human porters. Piped waterrnis a major source of drinking water for animals. Natural mating is the most frequently usedrnbreeding method used by 77.9% of the farmers. About 71.7% of the producers obtainrnveterinary services from MoA while others use private clinics and local traditionalrnpractitioners. Nearly 74.2% of the farmers have never been supported by extension agentsrnin their activity.rnEvidence from the findings of this study indicated that the most ranked source of expense ofrnmilk production is animal feed followed by utilities and labour. Similarly, the most rankedrnfactor that affects the productivity of the dairy cows and profitability of the dairy farms isrnchoice of breeds followed by feed resources and improved feed system, and veterinaryrnservices and animal health care. The major problems in managing the dairy farms includernshortage and high cost of animal feed; diseases like mastitis, pneumonia, anthrax, tickrnrelated, foot and mouth; low production potential of indigenous cattle; lack of adequaternspace for dairying; lack of labour, credit and veterinary and extension services. Most of thernproducers have fear of eviction and do not know government's attitude towards urban dairyrnfarming and its recognition, and most of them have never received assistance from therngovernment.rnMost of the producers (63.7%) do not keep records of daily milk output from each cowrnmilked. Most of the milk is allocated for sale and the sale of fresh milk is the most frequentrnand regular source of cash income for the producers. The majority of the farmers sold milkrndirectly to consumers. Proximity, price and reliability were considered in the selection ofrnmarket outlets. Milk prices are found to be slightly higher in the inner city compared to thernperiphery and prices are determined mainly by the producers. Milk is sold at the point ofrnproduction (farm gate) or is delivered to customer's house mainly on foot. Fresh milk is the most frequently consumed product by the producers followed by Yoghurt. Unsold milk is processed into butter and local cheese, consumed by the family or is fed to animals. Most of the producers use manure as a source of household energy