Research & reports

Misrak Misikir Sebisibe · Journals & Books Hosting (International Knowledge Sharing Platform) · Ethiopia

This study in Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia, investigated determinants of women's participation in urban agriculture using a sample of 204 women respondents. The Tobit model found that age negatively affected participation, while dependency ratio, credit access, extension worker contact, land ownership, neighbor influence, farm experience, and improved seed access positively affected it. Descriptive analysis showed 22% of women in the study area participated in urban agriculture, with an average participation extent of 34.3%, generating average monthly incomes ranging from 557 to 3392 birr.

C.O. Edeoghon, A.A. Idowu · Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management · Nigeria (Lagos State)

This study investigated the role of agricultural enterprises in the food security status of urban farmers in Ikorodu metropolis, Lagos State, Nigeria. A survey of 150 urban farmers, selected using a multistage technique and structured questionnaires, revealed an average food security score of 2.73, indicating food security without hunger. The relationship between food security and agricultural enterprises suggested that fruit, vegetable, and fisheries enterprises tend to move urban farmers towards food secure groups.

Okoro Enyinnaya Okoro, Iwueke Nyainbau Tarinabo, Agunanna Henry Ibe, Ndulaka Chigozie Martin · International Journal of Environmental Chemistry · Nigeria (Aba)

This study investigated the economic and environmental contributions of urban farming in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery and data from 100 urban farmers. Most respondents were self-employed females aged 41-50, primarily engaged in cassava and maize farming to supplement income. The findings indicate a significant environmental contribution of urban farming in Aba.

C. O. Odudu · Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology · Africa

This study evaluated how competition constraints affect land accessibility for urban crop farmers in Lagos, Nigeria, using multi-stage (purposive and simple random) sampling of farmers across seven of ten farming-active communities delineated by the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, with structured questionnaires analyzed by descriptive statistics and linear regression. It found 19.5% of farmers had been forced off their locations, 10.3% vacated voluntarily, 1.4% left due to high rents, and 67.8% were missing values; urban farmers were largely unaffected by competition or high rents because they occupied marginal land not sought by competing uses, yet regression analysis showed competition constraint explained only 3.5% of variance in farmer productivity while still significantly affecting it, given farmers' confinement to marginal land. The study concludes government should support urban farming by providing designated agricultural land in the metropolis.

Jonathan Crush, Bruce Frayne, Cameron McCordic · Journal of food security · Africa

This study uses household survey data from Maseru, Lesotho, to assess the relationship between household engagement in urban agriculture and food security. It found no consistent, statistically significant relationship between urban agriculture practice and food security; some urban agriculture practices were associated with significantly greater odds of food security only among middle-income households in the sample. Because the observed benefits appeared conditional on household income, the study concludes that a generalized, production-centered approach to food insecurity may not be the most effective means of addressing household food insecurity in Maseru.

Aliyi Mama Gasu, Uma Devi Pongiya, Fatuma Hamid Mohammed · Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology · Ethiopia

A study assessed the challenges and opportunities of composting organic solid waste in Robe Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, using a descriptive survey design with a sample of 384 households drawn proportionally from three kebeles using a combination of probability and non-probability sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, field observation, and photography and analyzed with SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The study found that no proper composting of organic solid waste is currently taking place in the town. Barriers identified included lack of awareness, insufficient space for composting, lack of government support, absence of a policy framework, institutional gaps such as no dedicated urban agriculture department, and budget constraints. Opportunities noted included the large volume of available organic waste, farmers already engaged in urban agriculture, a suitable composting environment, high demand for organic fertilizer, and rising prices of chemical fertilizer.

Gareth Haysom, Jonathan Crush, Mary Caesar · Hungry Cities Partnership (Report No. 3), African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town · South Africa

Hungry Cities Partnership Report No. 3 examines Cape Town's demographics, economy, informal sector, urban agriculture and food security. A 2013 national survey found 26% of South Africans regularly experienced hunger and a further 28% were at risk, with urban informal areas showing especially high rates (36% hunger, 32% at risk). On urban agriculture, the report notes the City supports 201 community gardens with 1,849 beneficiaries, yet fewer than 5% of households in low-income study areas grow their own food.

Cristina D’Alessandro, Kobena T. Hanson, George Kararach · African Geographical Review · Southern Africa

This paper critically examined existing literature on peri-urban agriculture in Southern Africa, arguing it is a viable livelihood response to feeding urban residents. Despite its potential, the literature indicates that peri-urban agriculture does not play a major role in Southern Africa. The study concluded that a lack of political will and weak or absent policy frameworks, stemming from capacity deficits, hinder its promotion.

Eromosele George Oko-Oboh, Philip A. Adewuyi · · Nigeria

This work developed an affordable microcontroller-controlled home irrigation system for urban farmers in Nigeria, aiming to conserve water and mitigate urban poverty and food insecurity. The system, utilizing a PIC16F877A microcontroller, was designed to be cheap in procurement, maintenance, and running costs compared to conventional irrigation. Performance tests conducted in the Proteus VSM environment showed improved performance and energy savings over existing conventional irrigation systems.

niversity Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Burkina Faso, Adama Hilou, Issaka Ouédraogo, PAED Sombié, Samson Guenné, Dramane Paré, Mariguetou Compaore · African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development · Africa

A field survey in the Ouagadougou region of Burkina Faso examined the socio-economic, food consumption, and conservation aspects of leafy vegetables, specifically amaranth species. Leafy vegetables are cultivated under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions in villages and city gardens, with amaranth species being the most cultivated and marketed, showing potential for commercialization. Ninety-four percent of interviewed people use leafy amaranth in sauce, and there is a growing trend to use introduced amaranth species, which poses a threat to biodiversity.

Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed Attia Khalil, Amr Abd El-Aal, Natacha Quintero, Hazem Aayash, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Mohamed R. Ibrahim, Kamal Marei · Procedia Environmental Sciences · Africa

This study focused on an urban upgrading project in El-Arab, an informal settlement in Hurghada, conducted by Master's students from the Urban Development department at Technische Universität Berlin Campus El-Gouna. The project proposed an integrative approach involving physical upgrading, solid waste management, and urban agriculture as three interconnected components to improve living conditions and livelihoods in El-Arab.

Kennedy K. Mwangi · IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science · Africa

This paper explores how legal information dissemination impacts socio-economic rights in informal settlements, focusing on urban agriculture rights in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. It investigates residents' knowledge of their urban agriculture rights and their information needs, as well as communication structures between the municipal council and residents. The research aims to provide legal information to enable residents to engage with available services.

Asadu Anthonia, Enwelu Innocent, Ifejika Philip, Igbokwe Edwin · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Nigeria

A survey and interviews with 210 urban farmers in southeast Nigeria explored the benefits and constraints of urban farming. Farmers reported benefits such as food and income sources, but also faced significant constraints including land insecurity, lack of access to credit, theft, and crop destruction by stray animals. The study concludes that urban farming needs to be legalized and integrated into urban policy to realize its full potential.

Albert Ayorinde Abegunde, Daniel Oluwasola Olaleye · · Nigeria (Lagos)

This study identified vacant land used for urban agriculture in Lagos, Nigeria, and assessed the socio-economic characteristics of 78 farmers in the Ojo Local Government Area. It examined the contributions of urban agriculture to community economic development. Findings showed that most farmers were married males aged 21-50, with about half lacking formal education and earning N6,000-8,999 per month.

S. J. Ibitoye, U Shaibu, Firdaus Sale, Oroka Frank · International Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences · Nigeria (Kogi State)

This study assessed the influence of urban agriculture on household income in Kogi State, Nigeria, using data from 120 urban farmers. Urban agriculture was found to increase household income at a 90% confidence level. However, urban farmers faced significant constraints including inadequate capital (M=2.9), poor extension services (M=2.4), and high labor costs (M=2.2).

G. A. Abu, A. Soom, Abu, Godwin Anjeinu, Soom, Aondonenge · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Nigeria

This study examined factors affecting food security in 180 rural and urban farming households in Benue State, Nigeria, using structured questionnaires. It found that 53.3% of rural and 62.2% of urban households were food secure based on calorie intake. Key constraints to food security included lack of access to credit, inadequate land, poverty, soil infertility, and storage/processing problems.

FAO · Food and Agriculture Organization · Global (Africa and other regions)

FAO report on profitability and sustainability of urban and peri-urban agriculture systems. Case analyses across regions examine economic viability, environmental conservation, and food security contributions. Includes policy recommendations for smallholder-based local food systems.

Firehiwot Mezgabu, Degefa Tolossa · Ethiopian journal of development research · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

A 2015 study in Yeka Sub City, Addis Ababa, assessed the contribution of urban agriculture to the food security of 86 households. Findings showed that 74.4% of the households were food-secure, while 24.4% and 1.2% were mildly and severely food-insecure, respectively. Urban agriculture contributed to one-third of household income and played a significant role in improving food security and income, but lack of farmland and water were identified as major challenges.

Megan Bradley · Syracuse University Libraries (Syracuse University) · South Africa (Cape Town)

A study on local food initiatives in Cape Town, South Africa, explored their role in sustainable community development, focusing on food sovereignty, community capacity, and social capital. Through in-depth interviews, conversations with participants, and observations of community gardens and markets, findings suggested that these initiatives empower community development, both economically and socially, through principles of food sovereignty, social capital, and education.

Fikadu Goshu Fufa · European Journal of Business and Management · Ethiopia

A study of 96 micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Nekemte town, Ethiopia, found that educational status of MSE operators negatively affects business profitability growth. Additionally, the study revealed that microfinance institution (MFI) loan terms are too short for business operations, and most MSEs rely on personal savings for finance.

Simon Hazell, Victoria Delbridge, Beatrice Conradie · UR UCT Undergraduate Research · South Africa

A study in Lavender Hill, Cape Town, South Africa, interviewed 50 participants in the Mothers Unite programme to assess the benefits and constraints of homestead-based urban agriculture. Despite the potential for food gardening to alleviate food insecurity and free up 11% of household income, two-thirds of the group had not tried it. Barriers to adoption included lack of space and limited cash flow, with respondents showing little concern for water or compost costs.

Martin Dyer, Richard M. Mills, Beatrice Conradie, Jenifer Piesse · Open University of Cape Town (University of Cape Town) · South Africa (Cape Town)

This paper investigates the efficiency relationships between inputs and outputs of urban micro-farms in two Cape Town townships, Nyanga and Khayelitsha. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) applied to 33 producers supplying a social enterprise box scheme revealed an average overall efficiency of 72.4%. Overall efficiency was negatively correlated with land holdings and the use of compost and seedlings, indicating efficiency losses with greater input quantities. Furthermore, it was not shown that mulching or operator experience increases profitability.

C.O. Edeoghon, DU Okoedo-Okojie · Journal of applied science and environmental management · Nigeria (Lagos State)

This study assessed the information needs of 140 youths involved in urban agriculture in Epe LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria, using structured questionnaires. Most respondents (71.4% unemployed) needed information on crop production (54.3%) and perceived urban agriculture as a solace for unemployment. Major agricultural tasks included vegetable, maize, cassava, and fish production. Unemployment was attributed to laziness, lack of knowledge, and god-fatherism, and perceived information needs were significantly associated with education level and primary occupation.

Robert Romborah Simiyu · Eastern Africa social science research review · Kenya (Eldoret)

This paper examines gender roles in urban gardening decision-making in Eldoret, Kenya, based on a survey of 160 households and 24 interviews. While men generally held more decision-making power, women leveraged social spaces and gender roles to secure significant influence in urban gardening. Women typically initiated gardening, preferred subsistence crops, and controlled consumption, whereas men's roles were more prominent in income-oriented gardening and sales decisions.

Sulaiman Yusuf, Olubunmi Lawrence Balogun, Olanike Falegbe · Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade · Nigeria (Ibadan)

This study investigated the effect of urban household farming on food security status in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria, using primary data from 110 urban farming households. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke, and probit regression. Results showed that sex, years of schooling, marital status, household size, access to extension agents, hired labor, and type of farming enterprises are determinants of food security.