Research & reports

West Africa, Olufunke Cofie · · West Africa

An examination of urban agriculture (UA) development in West Africa reveals that despite its known benefits for food supply and livelihoods, UA is not fully recognized as an important component of urban development. This is due to high land demand from other sectors and perceived health risks by authorities. Policy makers need to address issues to institutionalize UA and integrate it into urban development plans.

Salome C.R. Korir, Jacob Rotich, Pacifica Mining · · Kenya (Eldoret)

This paper investigated the contribution of Urban Agriculture to the food security of residents of Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. The study aimed to lay the foundation for future policy formulation for Urban Agriculture in Kenya.

Nkirigacha, Imungi, J. K Cheminngwa · Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences · Kenya (Nairobi)

This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the contribution of urban agriculture to food security among 260 low-income households in Mwiki Location, Nairobi County, using semi-structured questionnaires. Findings showed 24% of respondents were farmers, 80% obtained food through purchases, and 17% from own production, with 72% having enough food. Despite indicating food security, urban agriculture practice in the area remains low.

Naudé Malan · Agrekon · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This article examines urban farmers' perspectives on Johannesburg's urban agriculture policy, part of its "food resilience" strategy, using participatory and social science research methods. Through facilitated workshops, farmers identified key themes for organizational development and urban agriculture, including Land and Water, External Stakeholders, Training, Tools and Technology, Marketing, Organizational Development, Permaculture, and Security. The findings provide crucial insights for policy implementation in Johannesburg.

Courtney M. Gallaher, Antoinette WinklerPrins, Mary Njenga, Nancy Karanja · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Kenya (Nairobi)

This research investigated how participation in sack gardening improved the livelihoods of farmers in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The study demonstrates that urban agriculture, particularly low-space activities like sack gardening, can be a viable and important livelihood strategy for households, even in densely populated slum environments.

Abdoul-Ramane Abdoulaye, Aboudou Yacoubou Mama Aboudou Ramanou · Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection · Benin (Parakou)

This study examined urban market-gardening in Parakou, Benin, as a solution for rural farmers migrating to the city, given the city's population growth and 65% poverty rate. Using documentary research, interviews, and field observation, the study found that market-gardening areas have evolved, reducing food insecurity through consistent produce availability. It also contributes to environmental protection by draining urban areas and preserving vegetable diversity, while increasing farmers' household incomes and creating employment.

Berhe, Sophia · National Academic Digital Repository of Ethiopia · Ethiopia

A comparative study in Akaki-Kaliti Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, investigated the contributions of urban agriculture to alleviating food insecurity among 100 randomly selected poor urban households. The study found that one in two sampled households engaged in farming, earning food and cash income, which improved household food security by enhancing food availability (50%) and nutrition (50%).

Frayne B., McCordic C., Shilomboleni H. · Urban Forum 25(2):177-189 · Southern Africa

Using data from 11 Southern African cities, this study questions whether urban agriculture meaningfully contributes to household food security, finding its impact limited and often a last resort rather than a choice for poor households.

O. A. Odusina, C. A. Afolami, S. Momoh · · Nigeria (Ibadan)

This study in Ibadan, Nigeria, assessed household food access and diversity across 180 households during harvest and hunger periods using structured questionnaires. Findings indicated significantly better food access during harvest (HFIAS 5.23-7.01) compared to hunger periods (HFIAS 9.75-11.77), though adequate access was maintained in both. Dietary diversity also decreased from an average of 3 food groups during harvest to 2.54 during hunger periods, a significant difference (p<0.01).

H. Allagbé, Magloire Aïtchedji, Anges Yadouléton · · Benin

This study, conducted from January to December 2013 in three major vegetable farms in southern and northern Benin, assessed the genesis and rapid expansion of urban agriculture. It found that while Christian missionaries initiated early vegetable farming, its current growth is driven by urban unemployment, rural exodus, and the search for balanced diets, increasing farmers' household income. The activity is dominated by young people (21-40 years old), with 75% being permanent gardeners, but farmers improperly used various pesticides, leading to insecticide resistance in malaria vectors.

H.W. Kamwele, George Mark Onyango, George G. Wagah, Maria Nyström · Chalmers Publication Library (Chalmers University of Technology) · Kenya

This paper examines the legal and policy framework affecting urban agriculture development in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya, through a case study involving interviews with government officials and review of various acts and bylaws. It found that while national legislation allows for urban agriculture, there is no specific policy for it, and Eldoret Municipality tolerates the practice despite its illegality. The study concludes that the awareness of urban farming's importance has not translated into formal recognition in bylaws and ordinances.

Taibat Lawanson, Olabode Orelaja, Michael Simire · African Journal of Science Technology Innovation and Development · Nigeria (Lagos)

This case study investigated the effects of climate change on agricultural activities in the Igbe Farming Community, Lagos, Nigeria, by surveying 161 farmers. The study found that most migrant farmers leased plots annually or biennially and made marginal profits of $200 to $350 per farming cycle. Erratic weather patterns and aggressive urban growth were major challenges, leading 48% of respondents to engage in informal enterprises.

P. S. Van Staden, Maléne Campbell · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study proposes a framework for utilizing vacant City of Cape Town-owned land for urban agriculture to improve low-income families' livelihoods. The new City of Cape Town zoning scheme now includes urban agriculture zoning, which town planners view optimistically as it offers income-generating opportunities. Empirical data from questionnaires with a farming community in Philippi demonstrated that urban agriculture is viable in Cape Town, even for household-only production. A usufruct agreement is proposed as the lease method for urban agriculture.

Hannah Rich, Nicole M. Ardoin · Children Youth and Environments · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study used narrative interviews to explore how teachers and school administrators in low-income schools in Cape Town, South Africa, perceive their school gardens. Interviewees emphasized that despite requiring substantial resource inputs like funding, labor, and training, school gardens offer significant benefits for students, including expanded environmental awareness, food growing skills, and understanding the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and food systems. The data ultimately converged on the primary theme of the garden's importance for greater self-sufficiency for both students and staff.

Otu W. Ibok, Idiong C. Idiong, Nsikan Edet Bassey, Ekaette S. Udoh · Agricultural Science · Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of urban food crop farming household productivity on household food security in Cross River State, Southern Nigeria. Data was collected from 217 urban food crop farmers using a two-stage sampling technique and analyzed with food security index, food insecurity/surplus gap index, head count index, productivity index, and logistic regression. Results showed that 53.5% of households were food insecure, while 46.5% were food secure. Logistic regression revealed that urban farming household productivity had a significant positive effect on household food security status.

Ekaete Francis Asuquo · · Nigeria (Calabar)

The impact of urban expansion on agricultural land in Calabar and its environs, Nigeria, was investigated. A survey of 150 questionnaires and comparative assessment revealed a decrease in agricultural land in the fringes as urban expansion persists and increases. Before 2013, more farmers owned larger plots, but much of this agricultural land has been converted to housing estates, roads, leisure resorts, and schools, indicating that urban expansion has negatively impacted agricultural land, reducing food productivity and leading to farmer unemployment.

Never Assan, Edmore Nhamo · · Sub-Saharan Africa

This discussion highlights the opportunities and needs for developing and adopting urban agriculture to enhance food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. It notes that rapid urbanization is increasing demand for crop and livestock products, leading to a growing food deficit and affecting urban food insecurity. Strategies to promote food productivity gains should focus on infrastructure, appropriate agricultural policies, new technology, and incentives for urban farmers within a fair policy environment.

S. Maré, Sarel S. Cilliers · Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie · South Africa (Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality)

This study surveyed clinic gardens in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality, North-West Province, focusing on the relationship between the environment, socio-economics, and health aspects of rural Tswana communities. The findings offered insights into species diversity, garden purposes, management reasons, and resources for improvement and potential expansion to community gardens.

Monica Mwuese Atagher, Abraham VER, Akor Apollos · IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science · Nigeria

This study assessed the contribution of urban crop production to socioeconomic development in Benue State, Nigeria, by surveying 210 urban crop farmers across three towns. Most farmers were educated, married, and used urban agriculture to supplement food and income. Regression analysis showed that farm size, fertilizer amount, and quantity of seeds were significant determinants of output and productivity.

Emmanuel O. Adu · Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences · South Africa

A study of urban agriculture's relationship to students' life satisfaction in Eastern Cape, South Africa, identifies nutrition, self-employment, food security and poverty eradication as components of that satisfaction, alongside economic benefits such as income distribution and small-scale business. It recommends that South Africa's government make agriculture education compulsory for grades 10 and 11, with practical components making up at least half of overall marks, while noting challenges including limited available space, damage to crops from stray animals, pests and diseases, and unreliable access to inputs such as soil, manure, seedlings and water.

FN Nnadi, Ogbonna Okoro Aja, C. D. Nnadi, AO Ani, F. C. Anaeto, UN Akwiwu, Christiana I. Agomuo, C. P. Elei · Journal of Agricultural Extension · Nigeria

A survey of 125 randomly sampled urban farmers in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, Nigeria, used a semi-structured questionnaire to assess adoption of improved dry-season vegetable production technologies, analyzed with frequencies, percentages, means and OLS multiple regression. Adopted technologies included improved crop varieties (69.5%), fertilizer use (95.6%), irrigation (88.7%), mulching (62.6%) and seed treatment before planting (59.1%). Reasons for participation were increased household access to vegetables (mean 2.92), income generation (3.42) and employment creation (3.11). Information sources were informal interaction with neighbors and friends (35.7%), extension agents (14.8%), radio (12.5%) and television (11.3%), while constraints were land scarcity (88.7%), lack of irrigation water (70.5%) and poor awareness of dry-season farming (50.6%).

Y. Saleh, Amul M. Badr, F. El Banna, A. Shahata · Science World Journal · Nigeria

Using a combination of remote sensing and GIS, this study assessed the rate of agricultural land-use change in the Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria, between 1980 and 2012, classifying and comparing four satellite images (Landsat MSS 1980, Landsat TM 1990, Landsat ETM+ 2005, and Nigeria Sat X 2012). The study found a significant reduction in agricultural land and continued disappearance of farmland over the period, which it links to loss of livelihoods, reduced food supply, and increased poverty. It states that this has raised concerns about the sustainability of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) production in the study area, with small-scale farmers the most affected.

Otu W. Ibok · Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology · Nigeria

A study of food security determinants among 217 urban food-crop-farming households in three urban areas of Cross River State, Nigeria — Calabar, Ikom and Ugep — selected through two-stage sampling. Cross-sectional data from structured questionnaires and interviews were analyzed using a headcount index, food insecurity gap index, food surplus gap index and logistic regression. Results showed 52.5% of households were food secure and 47.5% food insecure; food-secure households exceeded the food security line by 44%, while 53% of food-insecure households fell below the poverty line. Logistic regression identified years of formal education, farming experience, farmer age, farming as the main occupation, household size, farm income and crop output as the main determinants of food security status.

C.F.A. van Wesenbeeck, Valentijn Venus, M.A. Keyzer, B. Wesselman, D. Asare Kye · · Africa

This study examined two tomato production areas in Burkina Faso with potential for counter-seasonal production aimed at Ghanaian urban markets, identifying the main obstacles to developing a horticultural supply chain: the monopsony power of Ghanaian traders and insufficient road quality causing high mechanical-damage losses in transport. Using a spatial-temporal simulation model to assess transport effects on tomato quality, the study found refrigerated transport is not a necessary condition for successful trade, since climate conditions alone do not severely harm quality, and concluded that regional diversification of exports offers Burkina Faso producers the best opportunities for improving their position in the chain, given the persistent trader monopsony and infrastructure constraints.

Workineh Ayenew · Developing Country Studies · Ethiopia

A study of 50 women selected by systematic sampling in Arba Minch town, Ethiopia, used logistic regression (maximum likelihood estimation) to examine determinants of women's saving behavior. Education attainment and age showed a negative influence on saving, but this was not statistically significant. Ownership of urban agriculture and income level had a significant positive effect on saving behavior, while access to credit and family size had a significant negative influence. Goodness-of-fit tests confirmed the model fit the data, and a robust heteroscedasticity test found no problems with model specification.