Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
61 results(3 / 3)
Anopheles gambiae distribution and insecticide resistance in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé (Cameroon): influence of urban agriculture and pollution
2011Christophe Antonio‐Nkondjio, Billy Tene‐Fossog, Cyrille Ndo, Benjamin Menze Djantio, Serge Zebaze Togouet, Parfait Awono‐Ambene, Carlo Costantini, Charles S. Wondji, Hilary Ranson · Malaria Journal · Cameroon
This study assessed the influence of urban pollution and agriculture on malaria vector distribution and insecticide susceptibility in Douala and Yaoundé, Cameroon, from October 2009 to December 2010. Researchers sampled 1,546 anopheline larval breeding sites and analyzed water parameters. Findings showed mosquitoes from cultivated urban areas exhibited the highest insecticide resistance levels, with urban agriculture, rather than pollution, suggested as the major factor driving resistance.
Environmental trade-offsHealthClimate changeUrban–rural linkageSpatial dispersion and characterisation of mosquito breeding habitats in urban vegetable-production areas of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
2010Barbara Matthys, Benjamin G. Koudou, Eliézer K. N’Goran, Penelope Vounatsou, Laura Gosoniu, Moussa Koné, G. Gissé, Jürg Utzinger · Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology · Côte d'Ivoire (Abidjan)
Two surveys were conducted in market gardens of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, during the rainy and dry seasons to identify mosquito breeding habitats. The study found that urban agriculture areas may lead to higher densities of mosquito breeding sites, with "agricultural trenches" between seedbeds being the most likely sites to be positive for Anopheles larvae and mosquito pupae.
Environmental trade-offsHealthUrban–rural linkageUrban–agricultural water appropriation: the Hyderabad, India case
2009Mattia Celio, Christopher A. Scott, Mark Giordano · Geographical Journal · India (Hyderabad)
A study in Hyderabad, India, examined urban water capture and its impacts on pre-existing claims, particularly agriculture. Urban water appropriation often leads to conflict with existing water uses. The findings indicate that the magnitude and direction of impacts from urban water transfer on agriculture vary spatially and temporally, depending on location-specific rainfall patterns, existing water infrastructure and institutions, and farmers' adaptive capacities, including recourse to groundwater.
Environmental trade-offsUrban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsCommercial horticultural practice in Nigeria: its socio-spatial effects in Lagos city.
2009Abegunde A. A, Emmanuel Olufemi Omisore, O. F. Oluodo, D O Olaleye · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Nigeria (Lagos)
A study in the Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos, Nigeria, investigated the socio-spatial effects of urban horticultural gardens. Of 75 identified gardens, 63 managers were interviewed, revealing that 79.4% of gardens were profit-oriented. Gardens had inadequate setbacks (mean 1.45 m) from roads, leading to off-street parking and traffic congestion. Only 20% of horticulturists aimed to improve urban aesthetics, indicating a need for urban planners to educate them to prioritize urban aesthetics over economic gain.
Environmental trade-offsEconomicsUrban–rural linkageImpact of urban agriculture on malaria vectors in Accra, Ghana
2008Eveline Klinkenberg, Philip J. McCall, Michael D. Wilson, Felix P. Amerasinghe, Martin J. Donnelly · Malaria Journal · Ghana
This study investigated the impact of urban agriculture on malaria transmission risk in Accra, Ghana, through larval and adult mosquito surveys. It found that Anopheles spp. and Culex quinquefasciatus outdoor biting rates were three and four times higher, respectively, in areas around agricultural sites compared to areas far from agriculture. The annual Entomological Inoculation Rate (EIR) was also higher in agricultural areas (19.2) than non-agricultural areas (6.6), suggesting that urban agricultural areas may increase malaria transmission risk by providing resting sites for adult mosquitoes.
Environmental trade-offsHealthUrban–rural linkageTo Subsidise My Income: Urban farming in an East-African town, by Dick Foeken
2008M. B. David · African Affairs · Kenya
This study on urban agriculture in the Kenyan town of Nakuru illustrates health and environmental problems associated with keeping livestock in urban areas, the small size of plots cultivated, and the dependence of urban households on rural sources of food. These findings were observed in the context of economic hardships occasioned by structural adjustment programmes since the 1980s.
Environmental trade-offsCommunityEconomicsHealthUrban–rural linkageURBAN FARMING AND MALARIA RISK FACTORS IN A MEDIUM-SIZED TOWN IN COTE D’IVOIRE
2006Barbara Matthys, Penelope Vounatsou, Giovanna Raso, Andres B. Tschannen, EMMANUEL GBEDE BECKET, Laura Gosoniu, Guéladio Cissé, Marcel Tanner, ELIÉZER K. N’GORAN, Jürg Utzinger · American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · Côte d'Ivoire
This study investigated malaria risk factors in urban farming communities in a medium-sized town in Côte d'Ivoire, conducting two cross-sectional surveys among 112 households across six agricultural zones. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was 32.1%. Findings indicate that specific crop systems and agricultural practices may increase the risk of malaria in urban settings of tropical Africa.
Environmental trade-offsHealthUrban–rural linkageEat Here: Reclaiming Homegrown Pleasures in a Global Supermarket
2004Brian Halweil · · Global
This book points out that the long-distance food system consumes staggering amounts of fuel, generates greenhouse gases, and compromises food security. Since 1961, the tonnage of food shipped between nations has grown fourfold, with food in the United States typically traveling 1,500 to 2,500 miles from farm to plate. While this system often runs roughshod over local cuisines, varieties, and agriculture, a local-foods movement is beginning to emerge globally.
Environmental trade-offsFood miles & supply chainFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeUrban–rural linkageUrban and peri-urban agricultural production in Beijing municipality and its impact on water quality
2003James M. Wolf, M S van Wijk, X Cheng, Yuanhao Hu, C.A. van Diepen, A.W. Jongbloed, H van Keulen, C H Lu, R.P. Roetter · Environment and Urbanization · China (Beijing)
This paper reviews agricultural production trends in Beijing Municipality and their impact on water quality. Rapid urbanization and agricultural intensification have led to concerns regarding water resource quantity and quality. The agricultural sector, while supplying food, is a major water user and has contributed to significant water supply-demand gaps and high levels of water pollution, particularly from intensive crop, vegetable, and livestock production.
Environmental trade-offsUrban–rural linkageEconomicsClimate changeOrganic cycleThe Paleoecology and Ancient Settlement of the Petexbatun Region, Guatemala
1997Nicholas P. Dunning, Timothy Beach, David J. Rue · Ancient Mesoamerica · Guatemala
This study of the Petexbatun region, Guatemala, found that ancient Maya peoples in Preclassic times cleared large areas of upland tropical forest for agriculture, leading to significant soil erosion. During the Late Classic period, population expanded, forest clearance resumed, and upland agriculture, including terracing, was practiced, which significantly checked soil erosion. The study suggests considerable variation in urban agriculture among the region's major centers.
Environmental trade-offsUrban–rural linkageClimate changeUrban agriculture in Dar es Salaam: Its contribution to solving the economic crisis and the damage it does to the environment
1996M. R. S. Mlozi · Development Southern Africa · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
This article discusses urban agriculture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, examining its role in helping residents cope with the country's economic crisis. The study also associates urban agriculture with environmental degradation in the city. Factors encouraging urban agriculture at four levels are identified, and concerted efforts at all four levels are suggested to mitigate further environmental degradation.
Environmental trade-offsEconomicsClimate changeUrban–rural linkage