Research & reports

Michael Buxton, Rachel Carey, Kath Phelan · Water science and technology library · Australia (Melbourne)

This case study examines the relationship between urban and peri-urban systems in Melbourne, Australia, where peri-urban agricultural production faces pressure from rapid urban development. It explores three scenarios relating rural and urban land supply and demand, and land use planning techniques to limit rural land development. The study argues that stronger statutory planning measures are needed to prevent the loss of peri-urban agricultural land and enhance the resilience of city food systems.

Laure‐Elise Ruoso, R. Plant, Brent Jacobs, Pierre Maurel · · Australia (Western Sydney)

This study, based on in-depth interviews with farmers in peri-urban Sydney, Australia, examines how changes in these areas impact farmers' place identity and decision-making. It analyzes how increasing urban development, land subdivision, rising land values, and environmental regulations threaten farming activities. The findings indicate that these factors influence farmers' practices, business management, and decisions to continue or relocate peri-urban farming.

E.N. Sabiiti, Constantine Bakyusa Katongole · Water science and technology library · Uganda

Wakiso district, the peri-urban area surrounding Kampala, Uganda's capital city (population about 1.51 million), ranks first nationally in poultry production and second in pig production, accounting for 7.4% and 6.3% of the national chicken and pig populations respectively. The chapter finds that agricultural land in these peri-urban areas is increasingly at risk from urban encroachment, driven by population growth, distorted land values, a construction boom, and expanding recreation and leisure facilities competing with farming for land, which is likely to adversely affect the city's food security.

Luz Andrea Tautiva Merchán, Fabián Enrique Martínez Camelo · · Colombia

A brochure describing demonstration and training modules on urban and peri-urban agriculture - organic food production systems for limited spaces - that Colombia's agricultural research corporation Corpoica has established and run at its research centers since 2006. It describes the institutional program itself and does not present empirical outcome data.

Helen Armstrong, Abby Mellick Lopes · Water science and technology library · Global

This chapter contrasts growing cities (such as in Asia and Australia), which are destroying their rural edge, with shrinking cities (such as in Europe and North America), which are creating a new rural urbanism in their urban centres, and examines how design and mapping technology enable new typologies for peri-/inter-urban rural land. It draws on small-scale community initiatives in Penrith, Western Sydney -- Out & About in Penrith, Penrith as a Regional City Garden, and the Cooling the Commons project -- to show the potential of mobile infrastructure and temporary urbanism for Western Sydney.

Josephine Nabugoomu · Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences · Uganda (Kampala)

This controlled cohort intervention study in Kampala, Uganda, assessed the effect of nutrition education on orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) production and vitamin A-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 457 child caregivers. Respondents who received nutrition education had better knowledge of vitamin A and OFSP as a source of vitamin A, and more positive attitudes towards health and child health practices (p<0.05). They also showed significantly higher consumption of vitamin A-rich foods.

Mahdy S. Jarboo, Husam Al-Najar · International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management · Gaza Strip

This paper investigated the impact of climate change and illegal urban agriculture on domestic water consumption in suburban Rafah city, Gaza Strip. Using a linear model and hypothesized climate scenarios, a 20°C temperature increase was found to raise average domestic water consumption by 1.4%, while a 20% precipitation reduction had negligible impact. Critically, urban agriculture's use of municipal water significantly negatively influenced domestic water consumption, resulting in 33-45% unaccounted for water between 2010 and 2012.

Annabelle Daburon, Véronique Alary, Ali Ahmed, Mohammad El-Srogi, Jean–François Tourrand · Industrias Culturais (Universidade de Coimbra) · Egypt (Le Caire)

In the Cairo megacity, Egypt, family-based agricultural activities persist in its core and periphery. This chapter illuminates the situation of these farms, which contribute to Cairo's food supply, particularly dairy and market garden products. The data were derived from a study conducted as part of the Dairy project by Cirad and a university.

Gauthier Dobigny, Madougou Garba, Caroline Tatard, Anne Loiseau, Maxime Galan, Ibrahima Kadaouré, Jean‐Pierre Rossi, Mathieu Picardeau, Eric Bertherat · PLoS neglected tropical diseases · Niger

An extensive survey of urban rodents in Niamey, Niger, investigated the presence and distribution of rodent-borne pathogenic Leptospira species. Leptospires were not detected in the core city, but L. kirschneri was found in Arvicanthis niloticus and Cricetomys gambianus, rodent species restricted to irrigated cultures within the city. This study indicates the importance of market gardening in the maintenance and circulation of leptospirosis within Sahelian cities.

Anne Gravsholt Busck, Christian Fertner, Lone Søderkvist Kristensen, Søren Bech Pilgaard Kristensen, Mike Brian Johannsen Kyndesen, Susanne Ogstrup, Jørgen Primdahl, Søren Præstholm, Ann-Sofie Richardt, Jens Peter Vesterager, Lars Winther · Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) · Denmark

This longitudinal study investigated urbanization processes in peri-urban agricultural areas of the Greater Copenhagen region, Denmark, surveying 160-200 farm properties across eight study areas in 1984, 1994, 2004, and 2014 using face-to-face interviews. It found that while some agricultural land became urban, the overall agricultural land use remained largely stable, though concentrated on fewer, larger farms. Economic activities diversified, with more property owners engaging in other gainful activities, and farming in these areas faces constant challenges from increasing external activities.

Tshomba Kalumbu John, Nyembo Mugalu Leopold, Ntumba Ndaye François, Mushagalusa Balasha Arsène, Muyambo Musaya Emmanuel, Nkulu Mwine Fyama Jules · International journal of innovation and applied studies · DR Congo (Lubumbashi)

This study, conducted in the Kilobelobe vegetable growing area of Lubumbashi, DR Congo, from January to March 2014, surveyed 50 vegetable growers. It aimed to analyze the contribution of the vegetable sector to poverty reduction through its impact on growers' income. Results indicate that producers benefit from multiple socio-economic functions of gardening, contributing to unemployment reduction, income generation, healthcare, food security, and waste management.

Sarah James · Area · Australia (Sydney)

This paper argues that small-scale family farmers on Sydney's urban fringe are directly connected to and reliant on the mainstream food system for their economic viability. It highlights that a localized focus on threats and solutions risks neglecting the impact of supermarket power and consumer choice on these producers. The study emphasizes the need to examine the continuing connection between the mainstream system and 'local', small-scale producers to achieve food system change.

Emmanuel Yennumi Wandaat, Joseph Xorse Kugbe · Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences · Ghana

A study on vegetable production in Ghana's Tano South District surveyed 132 urban farmers and 5 stakeholders. Farmers relied solely on chemical pesticides for pest control and lacked in-depth knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Inappropriate handling and non-use of protective clothing led farmers to report health issues like dizziness, skin irritation, and nausea, while indiscriminate spraying resulted in pesticide residues posing serious health risks to consumers and the environment.

Leonia John Raphael · Tanzania Journal for Population studies and Development · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)

A 2015 study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, found that extreme climatic changes, including rainfall and temperature, have adversely affected peri-urban agricultural productivity and vegetation cover. Excessive rains lead to the destruction of urban gardens, vegetation, property, and loss of livelihoods for urban dwellers, 87% of whom are rural migrants. This highlights significant risks for urban communities dependent on land resources in rapidly growing cities.

Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Heriniaina Ramahefarison, Dominique Massé · · Madagascar (Mahajanga)

Two experiments in Mahajanga, Madagascar, compared municipal solid waste (MSW) composts with conventional organic inputs (poultry or pig manure) in leaf cropping systems over two three-month seasons. MSW composts resulted in yields higher than pig manure and urea, and similar to poultry manure. However, monitoring soil mineral nitrogen levels revealed significant accumulation under certain conditions, indicating a possible source of environmental pollution by nitrates.

Shreema Rana · Journal of Natural Resources and Development · Nepal

This paper reviews existing literature on urban food supply chains and food security benefits of peri-urban agriculture in developing regions, focusing on the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It highlights the significance of peri-urban areas for a sustainable food chain and points out existing but unrecognized features of peri-urban agriculture at local and policy-making levels. The review identifies gaps in local preferences and policy acknowledgment, suggesting further research is needed for sustainable peri-urban agriculture approaches.

Pay Drechsel, Keraita, Bernard N. · CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) · Global

A CGIAR (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) perspective piece on food and water challenges at the urban-rural interface amid global urbanization. It states that in low-income countries, investments in waste management and sanitation are not keeping pace with population growth, so the urban "return flow" of waste is not adequately managed. Where polluted water is used for irrigation to feed cities, food safety becomes a crucial component of food security. The piece explicitly states that urban and peri-urban farming systems — often run by the informal sector — are the systems most affected by this resource competition and pollution. It describes CGIAR's Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) research program as working at the interface of agriculture and sanitation to address these urbanization-related challenges and opportunities.

Gabriela Civeira Hermida · · Argentina

Peri-urban agroforestry — combining agricultural and forestry species on small urban plots — was evaluated for its potential to sequester carbon and produce electrical and thermal energy at the municipal level across the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), Argentina. Carbon sequestration was estimated between 200 and 400,000 tonnes per year, thermal energy between 0.5 and 200 MJ depending on the hectares in each municipality, and electrical energy between 10 and 15,000 kW, leading to the conclusion that agroforestry can generate jobs, food, and bioenergy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Joseph Claghorn, Francesco Orsini, Carlos Restrepo, Christian Werthmann · urbe Revista Brasileira de Gestão Urbana · Colombia

A report on a four-phase research and implementation proposal to anticipate and mitigate landslide risk in low-income settlements on the mountainous urban periphery of Medellín, Colombia. A collaboration between a team of landscape architects from Germany and urbanists in Medellín proposes five pilot projects testing risk-mitigation strategies: monitoring and early-warning systems, drainage improvements, urban agriculture, slope forestation, and site development with basic services.

Roberto Aguilera Peña · OBSERVATÓRIO DE LA ECONOMÍA LATINOAMERICANA · Colombia

This paper argues that an "integral farm" (granja integral) functions as a life project for families in rural communities and in the large cities of Ecuador and elsewhere, offering not only improved nutrition but also an opportunity to live in harmony with nature while conserving and preserving the environment without significant impacts on ecosystem components or biocenosis. Urban gardens are described as contributing to community food provision while also creating business opportunities, and the paper argues for the importance of building alliances between small food producers on integral farms and supermarkets. It describes supermarkets as a distribution channel with growing demand, with much of the fresh food supply coming from urban or rural family and community gardens applying good agricultural practices, creating opportunities for sustainable strategic alliances.

Secretaría Distrital de Ambiente de Bogotá · Observatorio Ambiental de Bogotá · Colombia

The Bogotá Environmental Observatory reported on 11 September 2015 that the city, via Acuerdo 605 de 2015, established guidelines to institutionalize a sustainable, low-cost Urban and Peri-urban Agroecological Agriculture program. The program includes eight farming systems -- vertical agriculture, biointensive systems, floating roots, raised beds, agricultural recycling, family farming, biological fertilizer production and biocontrol preparation -- coordinated by the District Secretariat of Environment together with the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden and the Secretariats of Social Integration, Economic Development, Government and Health.

Nimoh Fred, Ohene-Yankyera Kwasi, Poku Kofi, Konradsen Flemming, Claude-François Robert · Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics · Ghana

A study in Ghana's Shai-Osudoku district investigated farmers' attitudes toward excreta reuse for peri-urban agriculture, surveying 400 randomly selected respondents. A majority of respondents disagreed that excreta are waste and were willing to use them as fertilizer. However, a majority also agreed that excreta can pose health risks, and perceptions on reuse differed among households.

Izeldin A. Babiker · Journal of animal research · Saudi Arabia

This study aims to characterize the diversity of camel production systems in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on peri-urban camel production. Socio-economic changes post-petroleum era led Bedouins to settle in urban areas, increasing demand for camel milk from an urbanized population. This stimulated the development of peri-urban camel dairy production, which the study seeks to describe in terms of production orientation, resource endowments, and strategies.

Muhammad Zaman, Faqir Muhammad Anjum, Ali Asghar, Muhammad Sajid · · Pakistan

This study estimated organophosphate pesticide exposure from okra and brinjal consumption in urban populations of Punjab, Pakistan. 90 samples each of okra and brinjal were collected from peri-urban areas of Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala and analyzed for chlorpyrifos, profenophos, and triazophos residues. Findings showed that 85 (47.22%) of the 180 samples were contaminated, and 15 (8.33%) samples had residue values higher than Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).

Pay Drechsel, Andrew Adam‐Bradford, Liqa Raschid-Sally, Drechsel, Pay, Adam-Bradford, A., Raschid-Sally, Liqa · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Ghana

This chapter introduces urbanization in West Africa, particularly Ghana, the general role of urban agriculture, and the common use of polluted irrigation water. It focuses on irrigated smallholder vegetable production, reflecting on the key challenges, dynamics, and resilience of this farming system.