Research & reports

Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.

6 results

• A scoping review of the impact of urbanization on food security in Sub-Saharan Africa

  2026

  Alemseged Gerezgiher Hailu, daniel girmay, samuel ataklti · Discover Food · Sub-Saharan Africa

  This scoping review analyzed 155 sources (2009–2024) on urbanization's impact on food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. Findings showed rapid urban expansion converted 30% of peri-urban agricultural land in some regions, increasing dependence on imported staples, and low-income households spend 60–80% of income on food. A policy gap was identified, with only 12% of countries having supportive policies and 19% of cities designating land for farming.

  Environmental trade-offsFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureClimate changeHealth
  Read source →DOI: 10.1007/s44187-026-01044-2

• Farming in cities: Potentials and challenges of urban agriculture in Maputo and Cape Town

  2019

  Erik Engel, Karin Fiege, Anja Kühn · · Africa

  The UFISAMO project analyzed urban agriculture (UA) in Maputo and Cape Town. In Maputo, UA is the main income source for about 5% of the population, though it often does not cover monthly food costs, and a major challenge is the uncontrolled application of pesticides due to mono-cropping. In Cape Town's townships, UA plays a negligible role in income and food security due to small plots, sandy soils, water stress, and weak market links.

  Environmental trade-offsCommunityEconomicsHealthPolicy
  Read source →DOI: 10.18452/20559

• Health and Environmental Hazards Posed by Urban Livestock Keeping in Enugu Urban, Nigeria: Implication for Climate Change Mitigation

  2013

  AN Asadu, EM Igbokwe, JM Chah, IA Enwelu · Journal of Agricultural Extension · Nigeria (Enugu)

  This study investigated farmers' perceptions of health and environmental hazards from urban livestock keeping in Enugu Urban, Nigeria, interviewing 75 heads of households. While all respondents were aware of general health and environmental implications, only 4.0% knew livestock could cause climate change. Identified environmental issues included crop destruction (89.3%), urban filth (89.3%), and noise (88.0%), while health issues included disease spread (50.7%), accidents (46.7%), and bad smell (86.7%).

  Environmental trade-offsHealthClimate changeCommunity
  Read source →DOI: 10.4314/jae.v16i2.2

• Agriculture urbaine et valorisation des déchets au Bénin : une approche de développement durable

  2010

  Hygin Faust Kakai, Alban Gilles Kakai, Armelle Grey Tohouegnon · VertigO · Benin (Cotonou)

  This study in Benin examined urban agriculture and waste valorization in Cotonou, Abomey, and Abomey-Calavi. In Cotonou, overexploitation of sandy, organic-poor soil in market gardening led to soil impoverishment, forcing gardeners to use chemical fertilizers with negative environmental impacts. However, some market gardeners adopted compost use, transitioning to organized organic urban agriculture after a waste management project supported waste valorization. This dynamic was not observed in Abomey, where urban agriculture is practiced in family spaces and public areas, unlike Cotonou's developed sites. Abomey-Calavi, despite rapid demographic growth, was almost devoid of urban agriculture practices.

  Environmental trade-offsOrganic cycleCompostEconomicsHealth
  Read source →DOI: 10.4000/vertigo.9994

• Development of vegetable farming: a cause of the emergence of insecticide resistance in populations of Anopheles gambiae in urban areas of Benin

  2009

  Anges Yadouléton, Alex Asidi, Rousseau F Djouaka, B. James, Christian Agossou, Martin Akogbéto · Malaria Journal · Benin

  A study in urban areas of Benin investigated the impact of rapid vegetable farming development on the emergence of insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae populations, using sociological data, bioassay tests, and biochemical analysis. The expansion of urban agriculture led to improper insecticide use for vegetable pests, exerting strong selection pressure on mosquito larval populations. This resulted in the emergence of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, with permethrin mortality rates of 76% in Parakou, 23.5% in Porto-Novo, and 17% in Cotonou.

  Environmental trade-offsEconomicsHealthClimate change
  Read source →DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-103

• To Subsidise My Income: Urban farming in an East-African town, by Dick Foeken

  2008

  M. 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 linkage
  Read source →DOI: 10.1093/afraf/adn071