Research & reports

Michael R. Hoadley · Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) · Global

A talk by Michael Hoadley, founder of Chicago firm Fewzion, discussed challenges in vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture. The presentation emphasized the importance of framing discussions within the context of economically self-sustainable models, free of dependence on policy subsidy and philanthropy. This highlights concerns about policymakers' over-zealous view of urban agriculture as a panacea for social ills.

Patrick F. Banga · · Zimbabwe

Unsanctioned urban agricultural activities in Emakhandeni High Density Suburb of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, negatively impact biodiversity. Researchers interviewed 100 people and conducted field visits, finding that the majority of cultivators operate outside existing laws and guidelines. This leads to progressive land degradation, massive deforestation, soil erosion, dried wetlands, lowered water table, and compromised groundwater quality due to pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.

Shogo Mlozi · International NGO Journal · Tanzania

This paper assesses the knowledge of livestock keepers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, regarding the climate change effects of their activities. Over two-thirds of respondents did not believe solid waste, liquid waste, and pollution from livestock would affect future climate risks. However, they did perceive chemical pollution and land degradation from urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) livestock keeping as having climate change effects.

Marc van lersel · · Global

Agriculture faces the 21st-century challenge of feeding a growing, urbanizing population while minimizing negative environmental impact. Urban farming has been presented as a potential solution to perceived problems with conventional agricultural production, but its effectiveness as a comprehensive solution is questioned.

Ines Vlahović, Ksenija Karlović · Agronomski glasnik ·

A survey conducted from May to August 2011 examined the frequency of poisonous and allergenic plant species at nine educational institutions in the town of Samobor, Croatia — three kindergartens, four elementary schools, one high school and one library. The survey identified 15 poisonous plant species, represented by 182 specimens, and 17 allergenic plant species, represented by 129 specimens.

Alan Hallsworth, Alfred Wong · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

A short commentary on urban gardening. It states that although urban gardening is highly popular among civic politicians and some vocal advocates, there is no basis to expect this food-supply concept could ever deliver fresher or lower-cost food to most people living within the structure of a modern urbanized society.

Rachel Slocum, Arun Saldanha · · Global

An edited collection (2013) argues that an unacknowledged racial dimension underlies the production and consumption of food under globalization, examining this across three "socio-physical spatialities"—fields, bodies, and markets—through international, multidisciplinary case studies. The volume states that human groups become entrenched in racial hierarchies through food at scales ranging from the household to the slave trade and empire, and includes a chapter specifically addressing urban agriculture and race in South Africa (by Jane Battersby) among contributions covering topics such as bracero labor in California and food-justice organizing in Newtown. The abstract presents this as the collection's conceptual argument rather than as findings from a single empirical study.

Ruth Stewart, Marcel Korth, Laurenz Langer, Shannon Rafferty, Natalie Rebelo Da Silva, Carina van Rooyen · Environmental Evidence · Global

This is a systematic review protocol — not a completed review — that sets out methods for identifying, appraising and synthesizing evidence on how urban agriculture programs affect food security and nutrition in low- and middle-income countries. It notes urban agriculture is widely promoted as providing the urban poor with food and income while improving the urban environment, but also carries potential disadvantages: use of wastewater can contaminate produce, intensive irrigation can spread malaria and water-borne disease and strain limited water supplies, and soil erosion and intensive fertilizer/pesticide use can pose health risks and environmental damage. Despite the current policy drive to promote urban agriculture, the paper states that the evidence base for its benefits and harms is not well understood. As a protocol, it reports planned search, screening, bias-appraisal and synthesis methods rather than results.

Rowena Passy · Education 3-13 · Global

This article reports on two projects investigating school gardens, finding that while they can effectively engage primary children in learning, a divide exists among teachers regarding garden use. The article argues that mixed messages in policy concerning outdoor learning act as a barrier to teachers utilizing school gardens.

Ghulam Murtaza, Abdul Ghafoor, Muhammad Zia‐ur‐Rehman, Muḥammad Ṣābir, Asif Naeem · Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis · Global

This study investigated metal accumulation in plants grown in urban agricultural lands irrigated with untreated city effluent in developing countries. Sewage samples showed hazardous electrical conductivities, sodium adsorption ratios, and residual sodium carbonate for irrigation, although metal levels were near permissible limits. Critically, plants acquired metal contents that were greater than those found in the raw sewage or soils, indicating significant metal uptake.

Sylvestre Dasylva · Journal of environmental science & engineering · Senegal (Dakar)

This paper discusses rainwater management in the "niayes" zone of Dakar, Senegal. This area is characterized by agricultural depressions with typically high groundwater levels, but a recent drop has turned some into runoff-gathering sites, used for urban agriculture among other services. However, two acute problems are observed: hydrological drying due to insufficient rainwater refill and urbanization of these bottom-lands. Furthermore, decreasing pluviometry exacerbates nuisances like floods and malaria.

Lori Leonard, W. J. S. Mwegoha, Charles Kihampa · International Journal of Plant Animal and Environmental Sciences · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)

This study investigated public awareness and health risks from heavy metal pollution in vegetables irrigated with Msimbazi River water in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Over 71% of 35 respondents used the river for irrigation, and high levels of chromium, lead, and copper were detected in popular vegetables. 69% of respondents were unaware of industrial pollution, and 63% were unaware of potential health effects. The study found that 95.6% of adults, 30.7% of children aged 6-12, and 12.5% of children aged 2-6 were at risk of lead carcinogenic effects, while 5% of children aged 2-6, 2.8% of children aged 6-12, and 1.2% of adults were at risk from carcinogenic cadmium effects.

Jenny Calabio, Ma. Luisa Albacete · WVSU Research Journal · Philippines (Iloilo City)

This study, conducted from July 2007 to July 2008 at the Urban Agriculture Demonstration Site in La Paz, Iloilo City, evaluated soil media and ameliorants for container-grown green onion, pechay, and tomato. Pure compost was found to be the best medium for increasing yields. However, the use of IMO and rice hull as soil ameliorants did not increase yields for the three tested vegetables, and rice hull generally reduced pechay yields.

Ishani Shrestha · · Global

This thesis examined the economic viability of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms globally. The study found that current share prices of CSA farms do not reflect all production costs, suggesting that CSA might not be an economically viable approach to sustainable agriculture if current pricing strategies continue. A Contingent Valuation survey indicated potential for CSA farms to raise share prices without losing sales and for the U.S. government to benefit from subsidizing sustainable agriculture.

BD Mntambo · Huria Journal of the Open University of Tanzania · Tanzania

In Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania, a study examined urban agriculture practices within the policy context, focusing on the experiences and attitudes of women cultivating vegetables in open spaces through an in-depth survey. Findings indicated that women's participation in urban agriculture contributes to food security, increased household income, and poverty reduction. However, a mismatch exists between the benefits of urban farming and current policies, negatively affecting women's participation, as policies are not supportive of urban farmers, particularly women, leading to small-scale cultivation and low income.

Aubin Ondo, Pascale Prudent, C. Massiani, Menye Biyogo, Mariane Domeizel, Jacques Rabier, François Eba · Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society · Gabon (Libreville)

An assessment of urban agriculture's impact on soil properties and metal uptake by leafy vegetables in Libreville, Gabon, found strong soil acidification and decreased nutrient/metal concentrations due to agricultural practices. Metal transfer to plants was significant, with amaranth accumulating more metals than other vegetables, though cadmium and lead were not detectable in plant tissues. Amaranth and roselle preferentially concentrated metals in their leaves.

Greg Sharzer · Historical Materialism · Global

This critique examines urban agriculture (UA) in the Global North through the lens of capitalist production, specifically capital centralization and rent. It argues that while UA can occupy market niches, its prospects for replacing large-scale agriculture are limited. The expansion of UA is constrained by rising land values and rent, as evidenced by examples in Detroit, Markham, and Los Angeles.

Evaristo Mwaba Kapungwe · Indonesian Journal of Biotechnology (Universitas Gadjah Mada) · Zambia

This study investigated farming practices related to heavy metal contaminated wastewater irrigated farming in two peri-urban areas of Zambia: New Farm in Mufulira and Chilumba Gardens in Kafue. Data was collected by observing crop cultivation activities at field plots along transects in stratified land zones. The results revealed that farming practices were characterized by traditional land management and multiple cropping systems, influenced by agro-ecological factors and the availability of heavy metal contaminated wastewater, which has the potential to contaminate soils and crops.

Rabiul Islam, Chamhuri Siwar · Advances in Environmental Biology · Malaysia

This research analyzed the current situation and future potential of urban agriculture in Malaysia using a literature review. Study participants demonstrated a relatively greater awareness of environmental and community benefits of urban agriculture compared to food security, health, or economic benefits. Malaysian urban agriculture was found to be constrained by a lack of adequate land use planning, weak support for urban farmers, and an absence of an integrated development approach. Major challenges identified included perceptions of limited space, limited resources, and education.

Stefan Reyburn · Environnement urbain · Global

This abstract is an article on the challenges and prospects of urban agriculture, published in the journal Urban Environment via the Érudit platform. This abstract does not contain detailed content regarding specific challenges or prospects related to urban agriculture governance.

Y. Niang, S. Niang, Saliou Niassy, Y Dieng, Mohamed Gaye, K. Diarra · International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences · Senegal

This study assessed the effect of wastewater on the agronomical performance and hygienic quality of tomato and lettuce in Senegal, comparing it to tap water, irrigation modes, and fertilizers. While tomato showed no pathogenic germs with wastewater, lettuce watered with wastewater via aspersion contained significantly more pathogenic germs than those watered in draining mode. Significant differences in yield and fruit size were observed between lettuce treated with tap water and wastewater.

Yves Cabannes · Environment and Urbanization · Global

This action research, conducted by local teams in 17 cities across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, investigated how urban farmers finance their activities. The study found that urban farmers primarily rely on their own resources, and a lack of access to financing is a major bottleneck for maintaining and expanding their operations. It also identified gaps between farmers' needs and existing public and private financial practices.

Iwona Makuch · Soil Science Annual · Global

This study investigated the influence of intensive horticulture on lead content and its fractions in soil profiles from house gardens, allotment gardens, and arable fields. It was not determined that the manner of usage had any influence on total lead content or its distribution in soil profiles. However, the usage manner did influence the content and distribution of lead fraction III, which is connected with organic matter, with humus horizons of garden soils showing the highest content.

Mirelys Rodríguez Alfaro, Olegário Muñiz Ugarte, Bernardo Calero Martín, A. Álvarez, Francisco Martínez Rodríguez, Teudys Limeres Jiménez, Mercedes Orphee Montoya, Adriana M. de Aguilar Accioly · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cuba

This study evaluated the heavy metal content of Cadmium, Lead, and Nickel in organic fertilizers (composts from urban solid waste) and substrates, and their effect on vegetables grown in organoponics in Havana and Guantánamo, Cuba. Composts obtained from unsorted urban solid waste and the substrates prepared from them were found to contain heavy metals, especially Cadmium and Lead, above maximum permissible limits. It was concluded that these products should not be used for food production, as these metals translocate to the edible parts of the cultivated vegetables.

Batanai L Sammie, Charles Nyamutowa, Munyaradzi Gwazane · International Journal of Scientific Research · Zimbabwe

This study used FGDs and case studies to identify perceived causes of failure of NGO urban agriculture initiatives in Zimbabwe. The study identified the principal-agent relationship between NNGOs and LNGOs as the epicenter of all initiative failures.