Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
3086 results(112 / 124)
2009 Survey of Community Supported Agriculture Producers
2009Timothy A. Woods, Matt Ernst, Stan Ernst, N. C. Wright · · United States
This report summarizes the major findings from a 2009 survey of 205 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers across nine states in the United States (IL, IN, OH, MI, PA, WV, KY, MO, TN). The survey focused on the business and marketing practices employed by these CSA operations. It notes the growing popularity of CSA as a direct farm marketing channel, driven by increased consumer interest in local and organic produce.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunity论都市农业、生态旅游和文化创意产业融合——以北京市为例
2009Qian Jing · 现代农业 · China (Beijing)
This article discusses the integration of urban agriculture, ecological tourism, and cultural creative industries as an inevitable trend for the upgrade of suburban industrial structures and the development of modern urban agriculture, citing Beijing as an example. It states that this integration holds significant economic, aesthetic, and ecological value, characterized by the unification of resources, industries, products, and functions. The article identifies the diversity of urban agricultural functions as a basic condition for integration, and the rapid upgrade of urban consumption levels as a prerequisite, suggesting that the government should promote this integration by creating favorable policy and market environments, and talent supply.
EconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageCommunityA Study on the Influence Mechanism of Tourism Agriculture on Farmers' Income- Taking the Tourism Agriculture in Beijing Suburbs for Example
2009Zhen Zhong · Ecological Economy · China (Beijing)
This article analyzes the mechanism by which tourism agriculture influences farmers' income in Beijing suburbs, China. It examines the macro-level urban and rural economic processes and micro-level farmers' livelihoods, concluding that tourism agriculture directs income streams to rural areas and farmers. This process also fosters rural product innovation, maximizes family labor utilization, enhances rural capital yield, and improves market integration, leading to increased peasant income.
EconomicsPeri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkageInformalization, the Informal Economy and Urban Women’s Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa since the 1990s
2009Dzodzi Tsikata · · Sub-Saharan Africa
This chapter examines urban women's livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa since the 1990s, focusing on economic liberalization and the expansion of the informal economy. Urban agriculture, including home gardens, is identified as an increasingly important activity within this informal sector. Many women in the urban informal economy are employed by others or have been in the past, while industrial subcontracting, a source of informal employment, has been significant only in a few industrialized Sub-Saharan African countries.
WelfareEconomicsCommunityIntroducing urine as an alternative fertiliser source for urban agriculture: case studies from Nigeria and Ghana.
2009Olufunke Cofie, Adeoluwa Olugbenga, Philip Amoah · Urban Agriculture Magazine · Nigeria; Ghana
This study introduces human urine as an alternative fertilizer source for urban agriculture, presenting case studies from Nigeria and Ghana. It suggests that proper collection and use of human urine can improve urban environmental sanitation and reduce crop production costs. The approach integrates agriculture, environment, and sanitation sectors.
Organic cycleEconomicsHealth发展都市农业 改善城市生态——以青海省为例
2009许光中 · 北京科技大学学报：社会科学版 · China (Qinghai Province)
This study examines urban agriculture in Qinghai Province, China, as a solution to urban ecological crises exacerbated by rapid urbanization. Urban agriculture, defined as modern agriculture integrating production, services, and consumption based on modern technology and diversified operations, can expand urban green spaces, improve urban ecology, and strengthen urban functions.
Climate changeEconomicsCommunityBiodiversity都市农业现代化评价分析——以北京、上海和广州等11城市为例
2009陈凯, 史红亮, 续华梅 · 技术经济与管理研究 · China
This study aimed to measure the modernization level of urban agriculture in China and analyze the causes of its disparities and influencing factors. Using the analytic hierarchy process, the research evaluated the modernization level of urban agriculture in 11 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The analysis revealed the mechanisms and pathways for urban agricultural modernization.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkagePolicyAgricultura urbana y sustentabilidad en Valdivia, Chile. Una nueva alternativa microempresarial
2009O Beatriz Vera · Revista Urbano · Chile (Valdivia)
This study characterized 22 urban agricultural micro-enterprises in Valdivia, Chile, focusing on their economic, productive, and commercial aspects, and the employment they generate. Using the Snowball method to identify urban farmers, the research found that urban agriculture is a significant source of permanent employment in Valdivia, also providing temporary work during the summer season.
EconomicsCommunityWastewater Use in Cauliflower Production and Farmer’s Health: An Economic Analysis
2009Shahzad Kouser, Mr. Abedullah, Abdus Samie · The Pakistan Development Review · Pakistan (Faisalabad)
This study, conducted in 2006 with 200 farmers in two peri-urban villages of Faisalabad, Pakistan, estimated the economic values of negative health externalities from wastewater use in cauliflower production. While wastewater use appeared profitable without considering externalities, factoring in health costs strongly discouraged its use. The health externalities for a three-month cauliflower crop on 741 acres amounted to Rs 3.2 million, and for 5,283 acres of vegetables cultivated with wastewater in Faisalabad, the annual total was Rs 90.7 million. The findings indicate a significant economic loss due to wastewater use, suggesting that installing a water treatment plant is a viable option to minimize these external effects.
Contamination & food safetyHealthEconomicsPeri-urban agriculturePolicyCommercial horticultural practice in Nigeria: its socio-spatial effects in Lagos city.
2009Abegunde A. A, Emmanuel Olufemi Omisore, O. F. Oluodo, D O Olaleye · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Nigeria (Lagos)
A study in the Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos, Nigeria, investigated the socio-spatial effects of urban horticultural gardens. Of 75 identified gardens, 63 managers were interviewed, revealing that 79.4% of gardens were profit-oriented. Gardens had inadequate setbacks (mean 1.45 m) from roads, leading to off-street parking and traffic congestion. Only 20% of horticulturists aimed to improve urban aesthetics, indicating a need for urban planners to educate them to prioritize urban aesthetics over economic gain.
Environmental trade-offsEconomicsUrban–rural linkageThe Study of Urban Agriculture Development in Yixing
2009Qinglan Chen · · China (Yixing)
This paper begins with the connotation of urban agriculture, analyzing the necessity and feasibility of developing urban agriculture in Yixing, China. It discusses the patterns and layouts of urban agriculture, combining Yixing's natural conditions with experiences from other areas, and proposes measures and advice for its advancement.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomicsThe Socioeconomic and Cultural Significance of Food Gardening in the Vladimir Region of Russia
2008Sharashkin L. · University of Missouri-Columbia (PhD Dissertation) · Russia (Vladimir Region)
A PhD dissertation examining 1,500 Vladimir Region families to show that household food gardens underpin more than half of Russia's agricultural output and fulfil wide-ranging economic, social, and cultural functions.
EconomicsCommunityWelfareFood educationImpact of treadle pump irrigation technology on smallholder poverty and food security in Malawi: a case study of Blantyre and Mchinji districts
2008· International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Malawi
Case study in two Malawian districts finding that adopters of low-cost treadle pump irrigation had higher net farm income per hectare than non-adopters.
DIYEconomicsFood-Miles and the Relative Climate Impacts of Food Choices in the United States
2008Weber C., Matthews H. · Environmental Science & Technology · United States
Production dominates US food-related life-cycle emissions (about 83%), while all transport accounts for roughly 11% and final delivery only about 4%, undermining the assumption that local food is low-carbon and that cutting food-miles via urban growing yields large climate gains.
PolicyEconomicsThe Effect of Community Gardens on Neighboring Property Values
2008Ioan Voicu, Vicki Been · Real Estate Economics · United States (New York City)
This study estimated the impact of community gardens on neighborhood property values in New York City using a difference-in-difference hedonic regression model. The findings indicate that community gardens have significant positive effects on property values, particularly in the poorest neighborhoods. Higher-quality gardens were observed to have the greatest positive impact.
CommunityEconomicsWelfareOpportunities and Challenges of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Niamey, Niger
2008Sophie Graefe, Eva Schlecht, Andreas Buerkert · Outlook on Agriculture · Niger (Niamey)
Semi-structured interviews with 130 households in Niamey, Niger, characterized urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) and assessed resource use. The study found high use of livestock manure and indiscriminate use of nutrient-loaded wastewater for irrigation, leading to significant nutrient surpluses in UPA gardens. Initial calculations suggested large gaseous emissions of nitrogenous compounds and and leaching of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to groundwater.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceHealthClimate changeEconomicsCommon ground? Motivations for participation in a community-supported agriculture scheme
2008Rosie Cox, Lewis Holloway, Laura Venn, Liz Dowler, Jane Ricketts Hein, Moya Kneafsey, Helena Tuomainen · Local Environment · United Kingdom
This paper examines the motivations of producers and consumers participating in a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project in Scotland. It reveals the diverse motivations and philosophies consumers bring to the scheme, contrasting them with the organizers' stated aims. The study argues that effective communication within direct marketing schemes is important for fostering long-term commitment between producers and consumers, and for encouraging consumers to consider broader behavioral changes.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUsing Land Inventories to Plan for Urban Agriculture: Experiences From Portland and Vancouver
2008Wendy Berry Mendes, Kevin Balmer, Terra Kaethler, Amanda Rhoads · Journal of the American Planning Association · North America
This study examined how land inventories can integrate urban agriculture into planning and policymaking for sustainable communities, using case studies of Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The Portland inventory enabled integration and advanced social and ecological sustainability. In Vancouver, similar integration was achieved, but its smaller scope did little for public involvement and social sustainability.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityOverview on urban and peri-urban agriculture: definition, impact on human health, constraints and policy issues
2008Erastus K. Kang’ethe, Delia Grace, Thomas F. Randolph · East African Medical Journal · East Africa
This study synthesizes current knowledge on urban agriculture (UA) in East Africa, focusing on its human health impact. It identifies UA as an important source of food security, but notes that many zoonotic and food-borne diseases are associated with it, with a lack of evidence on human health impact and management. Major constraints include illegality and limited access to inputs and markets, indicating a need for more research to understand both positive and negative health impacts.
Contamination & food safetyHealthFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureThe adaptive consumer: shifting attitudes, behavior change and CSA membership renewal
2008Willow Saranna Russell, Lydia Zepeda · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · United States (Wisconsin)
A 2008 qualitative study in Wisconsin, USA, examined attitude and behavior changes among a subset of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members. Modified eating or cooking habits, increased consideration of food seasonality, and enhanced appreciation for farming were observed, but no "spillover" changes like reduced driving or increased use of eco-friendly products were found. The study suggests that attitude and behavior changes are generated by CSA's structural elements, not by social norms, and that demonstrated changes increase membership renewal likelihood.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsSmart growth ; can there be an African version?
2008Sue Wells · Western CEDAR (Western Washington University) · Tanzania
This paper examines the transferability of six Smart Growth concepts to Tanzanian cities (Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Dodoma, Zanzibar) given their extreme poverty and agrarian base. Primary research conducted in May-June 2007 and related publications were used. The study suggests that Smart Growth strategies from the Global North may be unsuitable for the Global South, indicating that urban agriculture in this context presents both a promise and a problem.
Economic viabilityPolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageUrban Agriculture and Urban Food Insecurity/Poverty in Nigeria
2008Anselm A. Enete, Anthonia Ifeyinwa Achike · Outlook on Agriculture · Nigeria (Ohafia)
A study comparing rural and urban farmers in Ohafia, southeast Nigeria, found that while urban farmers used significantly more purchased inputs than rural farmers, their output was significantly lower. This was attributed to urban farmers being poor and undercapitalized, preventing them from using adequate purchased inputs to maintain soil nutrients. The findings suggest that for urban agriculture to address urban food insecurity, the urban poor require sufficient financial empowerment.
Economic viabilityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageAssessment of the overall arrangement of urban modern agriculture industry in Beijing using location quotient technique
2008Guo Ya · Zhongguo shengtai nongye xuebao · China (Beijing)
This study analyzed the comparative advantages of Beijing's agricultural sub-sectors using the location quotient technique. It found no significant comparative advantage for Beijing's agriculture industry over surrounding provinces, and no advantage for crop and fish culture. However, there was a significant advantage for forestry and animal husbandry. Within Beijing, agriculture held a higher proportion in local industrial economies in several districts, with specific advantages identified for crop production, forestry, animal production, and agricultural services in different areas.
EconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageMotivations for Participating in Community-Supported Agriculture and Their Relationship with Community Attachment and Social Capital
2008Joan M. Brehm, Brian W. Eisenhauer · Journal of Rural Social Sciences · United States
This research identifies perceived benefits, motivations, and effects of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) activity on community social capital, using quantitative data from CSA memberships in Central Illinois and New Hampshire, United States. Findings indicate that food quality is the strongest motivator for CSA members, while community building and social capital development were not significant motivators or perceived benefits. However, community attachment significantly enhanced motivations like a desire for a stronger sense of community and support for local growers.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUrban agriculture in metropolitan Lagos: An inventory of potential land and
2008I A Olugbenga, O. T. Adejumo · Eastern Africa Journal of Rural Development · Africa
This paper examined potential land and water resources for urban agriculture in metropolitan Lagos. While urban agriculture positively influences the financial empowerment of the urban poor, who spend 90% of their income on food, the land ownership system in Lagos complicates land access. The study identified 1,197 and 28,890 hectares of potential land resources under Federal, State, and private ownership, respectively.
EconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkage