Research & reports

Mawuna Donald Houessou, B.G.J.S. Sonneveld, Augustin K. N. Aoudji, Fréjus THOTO, D. J. Snelder, Anselme Adégbidi, Tjard de Cock Buning · Development in Practice · Benin

A survey of 88 urban poor individuals in Benin investigated their profiles and constraints affecting participation in allotment gardens. Findings revealed low educational and income levels, overcrowded and unsanitary housing, and limited access to social services and health facilities among the participants. Furthermore, 76% of them experienced food insecurity, and engaging them in allotment gardens was constrained by requirements for farming skills, financial capital, and safety issues.

Adrino Mazenda, Nonkosazana Molepo, Tinashe Mushayanyama, Saul Ngarava · British Food Journal · South Africa (Gauteng)

This quantitative cross-section study estimated the determinants of household food insecurity in the Gauteng City-Region, South Africa, using binary logistic regression on 13,616 observations from the Gauteng City-Region Observatory Quality of Life 2020/2021 data. The main findings highlight unemployment, health status, education, household size, indigency, and income as the primary determinants of food insecurity. Further studies are needed for an in-depth assessment of household coping mechanisms, the influence of government social grants, and access to credit.

· Journal of Global Economy Business and Finance · Ethiopia

This study aimed to identify major problems associated with the growth and success of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the trade, services, manufacturing, construction, and urban agriculture sectors in three selected Woredas (Cheha, Abeshge, and Enmore ena Eaner) in the Gurage zone, Gulachi District, Ethiopia. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used, and primary data was collected through questionnaires, unstructured interviews, and personal observations.

Emaediong Uko, Tony Binns, Etienne Nel · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Nigeria (Benin City)

This study investigated the significance of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in Benin City, Southern Nigeria. Field-based data, collected using qualitative research methods (observation, in-depth interviews, and questionnaire surveys), revealed that in the context of unpredictable and frequent economic shocks, households across all socio-economic levels significantly depend on food production activities. This dependence serves not only for immediate survival but also as a means of reducing household vulnerability and building resilience against future shocks.

Tadesse Wudu, Adimasie Kassaw · International Journal of Horticulture and Food Science · Ethiopia

An observational study in Sirinka, Ethiopia, in October 2018, investigated grafting 30-day-old tomato seedlings onto 20-day-old potato seedlings to create "pomato" plants for urban agriculture. Successful graft unions were observed after two weeks, with plants producing both tomatoes (average 18 fruits, 954g per plant) and potato tubers (4-5 tubers, 219.27g per plant). The experiment confirmed the success of the graft, suggesting its potential for home gardeners.

Enagnon Arsène Euloge YAOVI, Martial WOROU, Bola A. MALOMON, Sylvain A. VISSOH · International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies · Africa

This research in the Arrondissement of Zinvié, Africa, investigated agricultural land governance through surveys of 109 people and field observations. Findings indicate rapid urbanization is causing anarchic land occupation and uncontrolled consumption of agricultural space, with renting being the dominant land access mode (50%). From 2010 to 2020, cultivable land decreased by 517.69 hectares due to urbanization, highlighting significant governance challenges.

Doctor S. Nkosi, Thembani Moyo, Innocent Musonda · Land · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This study developed a GIS-based planning support system to identify, quantify, and visualize an index for urban agricultural land in marginalized areas. Using Greater Orange Farm, a marginalized area in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa, as a case study, indigenous knowledge systems were incorporated through the Charrette visioning process for formulating criteria, weights, and rulesets. The results revealed spatial sites ranked by an index where sustainable investment in urban agriculture infrastructure and supporting programs should be targeted.

Gamuchirai Chakona · · South Africa

A study surveyed 314 randomly selected households in four peri-urban settlements in South Africa to assess dietary diversity and food security. Findings revealed generally low dietary diversity and high levels of food insecurity across all sites, with male-headed households experiencing worse conditions than female-headed households. Food insecurity was linked to high poverty, unemployment, and low education levels.

Anne-Louise Fritz, Ramia Jannoura, René Beuschel, Christoph Steiner, Andreas Buerkert, Rainer Georg Joergensen · Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture · Africa

This 2-year study in semi-arid Ouagadougou and sub-humid Tamale, West Africa, measured the effects of biochar and N fertilization on soil microbial biomass carbon, fungal ergosterol, and functional diversity. Sole biochar addition did not affect soil chemical or biological properties, but biochar with N fertilization increased microbial respiratory response. N fertilization decreased soil pH by 1.1 units in both cities, and a pH of 4.7 led to reduced microbial biomass carbon and ergosterol contents in Tamale. An N fertilizer-induced decline in soil pH below 5 should be avoided, as it decreased microbial biomass carbon and microbial functional diversity.

Michel Shengo Lutandula⃰, Fabien Ilunga Mpanga · The Global Environmental Engineers · Democratic Republic of Congo (or Africa)

In Katuba municipality, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, irrigation water, soil, and harvested amaranth from an area of urban amaranth cultivation were analyzed for chemical and microbiological pollutants. Water and amaranth were polluted on both mineral and microbial fronts, while soil was not; water samples contained Paramecia, Entamoeba histolytica eggs, fecal contamination indicator germs, mesophilic flora, and pathogens including Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Amaranth cobalt concentrations exceeded quality standards and the plants were contaminated with Paramecia, Entamoeba histolytica eggs, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella planticola, leading to the conclusion that consuming these amaranths poses health risks to the population.

Oluwole Matthew Akinnagbe, Obadamilola Enitan Ipinmoye · Journal of Agricultural Extension · Nigeria

A study of the effects of urban agriculture on household livelihoods in Ondo State, Nigeria, based on 150 respondents selected via multistage sampling and interviewed using a schedule, with data analyzed by percentage, charts and mean statistics. The major crop and livestock raised were leafy vegetables (100.0%) and broiler chickens (57.0%), and 82.0% of respondents had no contact with an extension agent. Practicing urban agriculture had significant effects on livelihood, with the share reporting improved standard of living rising from 85.0% to 98.0% and improved saving patterns rising from 66.7% to 100.0%, alongside improved knowledge. The study recommends extending Ondo State Agricultural Development Programme extension services to those practicing urban agriculture.

Felix Chari, Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu · Environmental & Socio-economic Studies · Sub-Saharan Africa

This narrative review searched Scopus, the Directory of Open Access Journals, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Academic Search (EBSCO) using terms including "urban farming," "urban agriculture" and "climate change" to synthesize literature on climate change's effects on urban agriculture in sub-Saharan African cities. While reviewed studies agree that climate change affects urban agriculture from production through processing, storage and distribution, integrated literature on the topic remains scarce, and the extent and magnitude of impacts differ by region, meaning adaptation and mitigation strategies cannot be applied universally and must instead be context-specific.

Peter Sanjo Adewale, Sunday Clement Olubunmi Makinde, V. Kusemiju, Olawole O. Obembe · Journal of sustainability and environmental management · Nigeria

This study measured and compared lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and manganese (Mn) concentrations in soil and leafy vegetables (Amaranthus hybridus, Celosia argentea, Corchorus olitorius) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry at Urban Expressway Farms (UEF) and Peri-urban Road Farms (PRF) in Lagos State, Nigeria. It found the highest Pb concentration (0.93+/-0.06) in Celosia argentea at UEF, and the highest Cd (0.51+/-0.11) and Mn (0.98+/-0.02) concentrations in Amaranthus hybridus at UEF, with Pb in Celosia argentea 5 m from the expressway and Cd in Amaranthus hybridus 10 m from the expressway exceeding WHO/FAO permissible levels; heavy metal residue levels were driven more by farm location than by vegetable type, and the study calls for regular monitoring to prevent consumption of contaminated leafy vegetables and recommends farmers cultivate fields farther from expressways.

Abdelkarim Hamrita, Daniel Ferrer Jiménez, Hichem Rejeb · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Africa

A 2022 study analyzed the peri-urban agrifood system of the Sousse urban agglomeration, one of the most important in Tunisia, from a landscape perspective. It finds that clearly deficient regulations combined with uncontrolled urban development, together with intersecting political, environmental and economic factors, are threatening the survival of a traditional, largely family-based agricultural model built on mixed or polyculture production with predominant olive groves — a model the study describes as vital to the economic maintenance of many families and to food security. Using the Landscape Character Assessment methodology, the study proposes a landscape-project tool to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of peri-urban agriculture and prevent the loss of landscape heritage. It also points to the importance of integrating green infrastructure into land-use planning and to the need to promote Agricultural Parks, a protected status already recognized in Spain and other countries, putting forward specific proposals for the Sousse peri-urban agricultural landscape while insisting on the need to reform current forms of governance.

L. Tchoumi, Youta Happi J., Tchiadeu G.M. · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Sub-Saharan Africa

This study examined the impact of agricultural development on peri-urban ecosystem dynamics in Obala, north of Yaounde, Cameroon, using literature review, questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, direct observation and Landsat satellite imagery from 1973, 1988, 2001 and 2020 analyzed with SPSS and ENVI. Between 1973 and 2020, mature forest declined from 5,694.23 ha to 1,635.25 ha, degraded forest grew from 123.56 ha to 1,739.80 ha, secondary forest fell from 10,298.13 ha to 9,993.43 ha, and savanna expanded from 3,891.8 ha to 5,819.25 ha, showing that expansion of food, market-garden and cash crops such as cocoa, combined with population pressure, is degrading peri-urban ecosystems.

Abdul‐Lateef Balogun, Naheem Adebisi, Ismaila Rimi Abubakar, Umar Lawal Dano, Abdulwaheed Tella · Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences · Sub-Saharan Africa

Against a backdrop where sub-Saharan Africa's agriculture sector -- about 23% of GDP and employing over 60% of the population -- faces serious threats from rural-to-urban migration and climate change, this desk-research study examined the potential for digitalization to enable sustainable urban farming under climate constraints. It found that most existing digitalization research is based on data from Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, with minimal documentation of applications and prospects specific to Africa, and drew on challenges seen in successful implementations in the Global North to propose pathways toward localized digitalization approaches for the region.

Yohannes Zekarias · · Ethiopia

This study examines factors determining the performance and growth of micro and small-scale enterprises (MSEs) in Gulelle sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, covering manufacturing, service, construction, agro-industry, urban agriculture, and textile and garment sectors. Using a quantitative causal design, data were collected via questionnaire from 312 operators selected through stratified sampling and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Regression analysis showed that access to finance, technology infrastructure, and government support explained the variation in MSE performance.

Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor, Shawn Alimohammadi, Paul Currie · PLOS Sustainability and Transformation · South Africa

An ethnographic study using in-depth interviews and participant observation, conducted April to November 2020 with thematic analysis, examined the role of the informal food sector in food flows in Cape Town, South Africa, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The informal food sector has historically been subject to exclusionary urban policies, and lockdown regulations caused food flows through the sector to cease, resulting in job loss and increased food insecurity. The sector subsequently reshaped food flows through urban agriculture, food aid programmes and community change, though it can also hinder urban modernisation. The study concludes regulatory frameworks need to be more inclusive of the sector.

Felix Chari, Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu · Climate · Africa

In Masvingo City, Zimbabwe, a structured questionnaire administered to urban livestock farmers, triangulated with in-depth interviews with livestock stakeholders, examined how climate change-related hazards affect the urban livestock industry. Heatwaves, floods and droughts were found to significantly harm the industry: farmers lose livestock to disease, poor pastures and extreme weather, while the hazards also damage storage and distribution of livestock products, labour supply and productivity, and the profitability of livestock enterprises. The study calls for further research on location-specific adaptation strategies.

Hadaro Hando Filmon, Alemu Legesse Mitke · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Africa

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a household survey, interviews and case analysis of beneficiary women, using 10 indicators of women's empowerment in agriculture, assessed the effect of a program-based sustainable urban agriculture intervention. 80% of beneficiary women were empowered (to a score of 0.93), while the remaining 20% were not; disaggregating the "empowered" group by intersectional differences revealed further unintended negative impacts. While urban agriculture contributed to women's empowerment, the study found that a lack of tailored support and a uniform program approach excluded segments of women beneficiaries, and it calls for a rights-based approach and feminist gender analysis to address these intersectional barriers.

Chitakira, M., Ngcobo, N. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · South Africa

A mixed-methods study (n=36) of peri-urban smallholders in the Tshwane metro (Gauteng), South Africa, documenting a knowledge-practice gap—high experiential awareness of climate change but low recognition of 'Climate Smart Agriculture' as a framework—and calling for up-scaling its uptake.

· Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Africa

A review of aquaponics as a means to improve food security in Africa, discussing small-scale pilots such as the SANFU project in Lagos, Nigeria.

· Journal of Applied Aquaculture · South Africa

The study analyzes the economic feasibility of a small-scale, low-cost aquaponic system in South Africa, examining how the fish-to-plant revenue ratio affects viability.

Minten B., Tamru S., Reardon T. · Food Policy · Ethiopia

Analyses self-reported post-harvest losses across farmers, wholesalers, processors, and retailers along rural-urban value chains for teff and liquid milk in Ethiopia.

Alexander Follmann, Maximilian Willkomm, Gilbert M. Nduru, George Owuor, Peter Dannenberg · Applied Geography · Kenya

This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamics of market-oriented urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) and farmers' responses to changing socio-spatial circumstances in Nyeri and Nakuru, Kenya. Findings indicate that the continued existence of market-oriented agriculture in these cities is linked to dynamic processes of commercialization, specialization, and intensification. The research concludes that market-oriented farmers are not inevitably displaced but can actively adapt to pressures and opportunities arising from rapid urban growth.