Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
313 results(2 / 13)
Informal Land Delivery System and Access to Land for Urban Agriculture in Ilorin, Nigeria
2025Ola Akeem Bayonle, Raheem Wasiu Mayowa · Bioresources and Environment · Nigeria
This study in Ilorin, Nigeria, examined the role of informal land agents in supporting urban agriculture using a cross-sectional survey of 73 informal agents and 303 urban farmers. It found that most agents were male, aged 20-39, and land was primarily acquired through direct contact with owners (72.6%), with location being the main price factor (78.2%). A strong positive correlation was identified between informal land delivery systems and access to agricultural land, indicating these agents bridge gaps in the formal system.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityUrban expansion and compensation vis-a-vis livelihood coping strategies of displaced farmers surrounding medium size towns in north west Ethiopia
2025Meznanat Tame, Kassahun Gashu, Bantayehu Ayalew Workineh · City Territory and Architecture · Ethiopia
In north-west Ethiopia, a study analyzed urban expansion driving factors, compensation, and livelihood coping strategies of displaced farmers surrounding medium-sized towns. Primary data was collected through 350 survey questionnaires, two FGDs, and six key informant interviews. Findings revealed that compensation was mostly cash-based, and social relationships and community values decreased after displacement. The study suggests a need for proper urban land governance with a participatory approach that includes farmers, and for appropriate urban planning and land policy to improve urban land use efficiency.
Governance failurePeri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsPeri-Urban Farming: Panacea to Food Insecurity in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
2025Lydia Oladoja, Emmanuel Ajibola Olagunju, G. O. Adesina, Oluwakemi Ajayi · Journal of rural and community development · Nigeria (Ogbomoso)
This descriptive survey in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, investigated peri-urban agriculture (PUA) as a means to address food insecurity. Questionnaires were distributed to 60 respondents, including farmers, government employees, traders, and artisans. The findings indicated that more married men and women engaged in farming than unmarried farmers. The study concluded that PUA has significant potential to ensure a constant food supply in Ogbomoso by providing direct access to locally grown food for residents and markets, provided its opportunities and obstacles are adequately managed.
Peri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsThe Role of Urban Planning in Strengthening Urban Food Security in Africa: Insights from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa
2025Leemisa Simon Matooane, Abraham R. Matamanda, Johannes Bhanye, Verna Nel · Urban Forum · Africa
This paper examines how urban planning affects food security in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The analysis identifies common challenges in urban food systems, including urban agriculture integration, food distribution, spatial inequalities, and collaborative governance. Findings suggest that proactive, innovative urban planning tailored to socio-economic contexts can significantly enhance food security.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityEconomicsCultivating communities: Understanding motivations in urban gardening among low-income residents in Cape Town, South Africa
2025Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · South Africa (Cape Town)
This study investigated the motivations for urban gardening among low-income residents in Cape Town's Cape Flats, South Africa, using survey data from 97 participants and interviews across 34 community gardens. While 29 out of 34 gardens prioritized income generation, a tension was found between institutional economic objectives and individual gardeners' motivations. Although 76.3% cited economic reasons, all respondents also valued social, health, and environmental benefits, perceiving gardening as a means to enhance well-being and promote sustainable practices despite structural barriers.
CommunityHealthEconomicsPolicyFactors affecting the growth of micro and small scale enterprises, addis ababa city administration, ethiopia
2025Tanvir Ahmed · European Economic Letters (EEL) · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This study examined factors influencing the growth of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), including urban agriculture, in Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia, surveying 385 business owners, managers, service providers, and local leaders. Multiple regression analysis found that entrepreneurial traits, management and marketing abilities, technology, access to funding, market sufficiency, and legal/regulatory frameworks affect MSE growth. However, the survey revealed that many MSEs received lengthy and intricate legal notices, indicating a need for simpler government processes for licensing and registration.
Governance failureEconomicsPolicyGendered access to e-logistics platforms in urban agriculture: micro-level evidence from Nigeria
2025Abdulrazaq Kamal Daudu, S. A. Aderinoye-Abdulwahab, Oyedola Waheed Kareem, Alhassan Abdul‐Wakeel Karakara, Latifat Kehinde Olatinwo, Halimah Olayinka Egbewole · Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship · Nigeria (Southwest Nigeria)
This study surveyed 420 urban farming households in Southwest Nigeria to explore how gender influences access to e-logistics platforms and their impact on farm sales. Findings revealed significant gender gaps, with male-headed households more likely to use and benefit from e-logistics than female-headed households. Women faced additional constraints like limited credit and mobility, and while e-logistics improved overall farm sales and benefited poorer farmers relatively more, gains for women remained smaller than for men.
Equity & displacementDigital agricultureEconomicsWelfareSustainability of Peri-Urban Rice Farming Practices in Ilorin, Nigeria
2025A. K. Ahmed, Rasheed Abiodun KURANGA, Oluwadara Latifat ISOLA-MUYIDEEN · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science · Nigeria (Ilorin)
This study assessed the sustainability of environmental management practices among peri-urban rice farmers in Ilorin, Nigeria, using a sustainability index. It found that many practices were less sustainable, with 69.51% of farmers relying on chemical sprays and 69.85% using chemical fertilizers. The overall Environmental Management Practices Sustainability Index (EMPSI) for all farmers was 0.492, placing them in the moderately sustainable category.
Environmental trade-offsPeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsAnalyzing the prospects and hurdles of urban agriculture an examination of economic landscapes and versatile approaches in Ethiopia
2025Mohammed Adem Ali, B. Lilly Grace Eunice · Discover Sustainability · Ethiopia
Urban agriculture in Ethiopia is a vital livelihood strategy, contributing to employment, income, and food security. Despite its significant contributions to GDP and urban employment, its potential is insufficiently utilized due to structural obstacles. These hurdles include restricted access to land and water, deficient regulatory frameworks, poor institutional support, social stigma, and environmental risks, and it is insufficiently acknowledged in urban development strategies.
Governance failureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityIMPACT OF URBANIZATION PRESSURES ON SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA.
2025Khalid Umar, Hamza Abba, UM Sani, M.D KWAIRANGA · JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND LEGAL STUDIES NORTH-EASTERN UNIVERSITY GOMBE · Nigeria
This review explores the multifaceted effects of urbanization pressures in Nigeria, including environmental degradation, urban poverty, housing shortages, and public health challenges. Case studies from major cities like Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, and Gombe demonstrate innovative responses such as sustainable urban planning, waste management, flood mitigation, and urban agriculture. The study emphasizes the urgent need for inclusive policies, community engagement, and sustainable strategies to promote resilient and equitable urban development in Nigeria.
PolicyEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Household Food Security and Coping Strategies Adopted Under Rising Food Prices in Osun State, Nigeria
2025Abiola Adebunmi Olarinre · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science · Nigeria
This research surveyed 240 households in Osogbo, Ile-Ife, and Ilesa cities in Osun State, Nigeria, to analyze urban household food security and coping mechanisms. Findings showed that only 17.9% of households achieved food security, with 39.6% experiencing moderate and 16.3% severe food insecurity. Household income, education, household size, credit access, and food expenditure share significantly influenced food security.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsWelfareFood educationThe Langa Agri-Food Hub in Cape Town, South Africa
2025Natalia Urrego Díaz, Astrid Ley, Kurt Ackermann, Leonie K. Fischer · · South Africa (Cape Town)
This study focuses on the Langa Agri-Food Hub in Cape Town, South Africa. The Hub is an innovation-seeking project aimed at transforming the local food system from the bottom up, supporting farmers, and strengthening the community. Through a literature review and qualitative analysis, including site observations, interviews, and workshops, the study uncovered the Hub's potential to serve as a vital platform for individual empowerment and the strengthening of the local food system.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityEconomicsClimate changeImpacts of rising food prices on the food security of different socio-economic groups in Abuja, Nigeria
2025Katuka, Stephen Agire, Magaji, Sule, Ismail, Yahaya · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Nigeria (Abuja)
This study analyzed the impact of rising food prices on the food security of different socio-economic groups in Abuja, Nigeria, using a cross-sectional survey of 400 households. Findings revealed that only 18% of households were food secure, while 56% experienced moderate to severe food insecurity. Food price inflation had a significant negative effect on food security, particularly among low-income households. Rising food prices were shown to increase the likelihood of mild, moderate, and severe food insecurity by 53%, 88%, and 132%, respectively.
Economic viabilityEconomicsHealthWelfareDeterminants of Performance of a Micro and Small Enterprises and their Role in Enhancing Local Economic Development: The Case Study Alibo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia
2025F. Shibeshi, Fred M. Barasa · Journal of applied science and environmental management · Ethiopia
This study investigated the determinants of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) performance and their role in local economic development in Alibo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia, using primary data from 281 respondents. The majority of MSE respondents across various sub-sectors, including urban agriculture, reported an increase in their saving amount, while a minority disagreed or did not respond. The results suggest that working in MSEs contributes to increased savings and improved saving conditions over time.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageAssessment of performance and challenges of small and micro enterprises: Fireweyni town, Ethiopia
2025Tuem Gebre Abraha, Haftom Teshale Gebre · PLoS ONE · Ethiopia
This study assessed the performance and challenges of 373 micro and small enterprises, including 1073 urban agriculture operators, in Fireweyni town, Ethiopia, using a mixed-methods approach and survey data from 5483 operators. The results revealed that financial control, marketing strategy, managerial expertise, government regulations, and business information services significantly affect the performance of these businesses. Many micro and small enterprises in the country face significant challenges and exhibit deteriorating performance, with limited progression.
Economic viabilityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageThe effect of Ethiopia's land certification program on rural and peri-urban farmers' land tenure security; evidence from Tigray
2025Tesfay, Hailay, Machethe, Charles · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Ethiopia (Tigray)
This paper examines the effect of Ethiopia's land certification program on the land tenure security of rural and peri-urban farming households in the Tigray region. Analyzing cross-sectional data from 500 respondents using logistic regression, the study showed that the program's effect is significantly influenced by the geographic location of farm households. The program produced better results for rural farmers than for peri-urban farmers, with certified households in rural areas being less likely to experience a change in their land tenure (less secure land tenure) compared to certified farmers in peri-urban areas.
Governance failurePeri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsCommunityUrbanization-Triggered Industrial Development in Kenya’s Peri-Urban Areas and Its Implications on Food Security: The Case of Kiambu County
2025James S. Kaba, Joseph Mutungi, Gladys Rotich · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science · Kenya
This study examined the implications of urbanization-triggered industrial development on food security in Kiambu County, Kenya, neighboring Nairobi. Through mixed qualitative and survey-based data collection and analysis from 400 respondents including farmers, agricultural workers, urban planners, and government officials, the study found an 85% increase in farmland conversion to industries over the last 20 years. This industrialization contributed to a decline in food production, as reported by 65% of respondents who left farming for industrial jobs. Land-use transformations have resulted in fewer farms involved in agriculture and the replacement of old food systems.
Economic viabilityPeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUrban–rural linkageImplications of Land Ownership Heterogeneity on Household Food Security: A Case Study of Urban Farming in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province
2025Joyce Thamaga-Chitja, Nthabeleng Tamako, Temitope O. Ojo · Land · South Africa (Pietermaritzburg)
In Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, the impact of land ownership on household food security among 156 urban farmers was analyzed. The majority of surveyed households experienced mild food insecurity, with a smaller proportion facing moderate insecurity. Land ownership was found to significantly reduce household food insecurity by 50%. Monthly income, age, and cooperative membership positively influenced land ownership likelihood, while gender and distance to market had negative impacts.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityChallenges and Opportunities of Urban Agriculture in Major Towns Practicing Urban Agriculture in Ethiopia: A Review
2025Etefa Tilahun Ashine · International Journal of Agricultural Economics · Ethiopia
This review examines the challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture in Ethiopia, where urbanization and living costs are rising. Key challenges include limited access to land, irrigation water, and financial institutions, as well as high prices for fertilizers and pesticides, and climate variability affecting crop yields. Opportunities include strong market demand for products, employment creation for youth and women, and additional income generation for producers. The study concludes that stronger policy support and investment are needed to enhance urban agriculture's contribution.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsCommunityUrban–rural linkageRooftop Agriculture in the Urban Global South: The Experience of Johannesburg
2025Jayne M. Rogerson · Modern Geográfia · South Africa (Johannesburg)
This article examines the organization and current state of rooftop agriculture in Johannesburg, South Africa, drawing on existing material. Johannesburg hosts the largest cluster of rooftop farms, primarily established for social considerations, with fewer projects for commercial reasons or business image enhancement. The study investigates the challenges confronting these rooftop farming projects.
Governance failureCommunityEconomicsPolicyUrban Farming Practices and Constraints to Urban Agriculture in Bauchi Metropolis
2025Yusuf Kamaluddeen Ibrahim, Zabawi Abdul Ghani, Rasheed Osuolale Oladosu, O. D. Idris,, Tamwesigire Caleb · Journal of Innovative Research · Nigeria (Bauchi)
In Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria, urban farming practices and constraints were investigated among 285 urban farmers. Findings revealed that most farmers do not own land, instead borrowing or renting it. The major constraints to urban agriculture were reported as lack of tenure security, limited land area, and poor access to microcredit facilities.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityPolicySustaining Urban Food Gardens for Community Resilience: A Case Study of the Langa Agrihub, Cape Town, South Africa
2025Kurt Ackermann, Tamsin Faragher · CABI climate change series. · South Africa (Cape Town)
A three-year case study of the Langa Agrihub in Cape Town, South Africa, supports a network of over 250 urban farmers comprising more than 30 food gardens. The Agrihub provides inputs, infrastructure, knowledge exchange, and market connections, serving as a platform for civic participation, social cohesion, and local agency. This chapter states that the primary value of community food gardens lies in enabling communities to mitigate and adapt to intersecting stresses, including economic marginalisation, environmental degradation, and infrastructure shortcomings like water scarcity.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsWelfarePeri-urbanization and smallholder farmers’ socio-economic marginality in peri-urban Addis Ababa
2025Girma Mulu Alemu, Sophie Schramm, Wilbard Kombe · Cogent Social Sciences · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This qualitative study in peri-urban Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, explored the impacts of peri-urbanization on smallholder farmers' socio-economic conditions. The research found that peri-urbanization leads to the erosion of capital assets, with dwindling agricultural land causing tenure insecurity and disrupting livelihoods. This process exacerbates smallholder farmers' marginality by weakening social ties and mutual support systems.
Equity & displacementPeri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEffect of Forced Eviction and Land Grabs on Household Economic Capital Security of Displaced Pre-Urban Farmers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2025Kejela Gnamura, Michael Akwasi Antwi, A Belete · Land · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This mixed-methods study investigated the effects of urbanization-induced displacement on economic capital security by comparing 223 evicted and 223 non-evicted peri-urban farming households in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Logistic regression and thematic content analysis revealed that evicted households are approximately 72.7% less likely to achieve economic security compared to non-evicted households. The study concluded significant differences in household economic capital security between the two groups.
Equity & displacementPeri-urban agricultureEconomicsPolicyCommunityWelfareThe role of treated wastewater in fostering sustainable urban agriculture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2025Gizaw Ebissa, Hayal Desta, Aramde Fetene · Discover Water · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This research assessed the contribution of treated wastewater (TW) from Bole-Lemi Industrial Park in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to agricultural sustainability over a 3.5-month production season. It found that 53 kg of nitrogen and 1 kg of phosphorus were recovered, saving farmers 5,535 USD and reducing fertilizer costs by 28%. The TW provided 17,500m3 of irrigation water, converting 70 hectares of idle dry-season land into productive use. Continuous monitoring of soil conditions is crucial for long-term sustainability.
Organic cycleEconomicsClimate change