Research & reports

Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira, Mohamed Deen Shade · Local Environment · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study examined how 34 urban community gardens in low-income neighborhoods of Cape Town, South Africa, contribute to environmental justice using a mixed-methods approach including remote sensing, interviews, and observations. Findings revealed an unequal distribution of green spaces between wealthier and less affluent neighborhoods. While current gardening benefits may not be widespread, the gardens offer advantages such as environmental education, promotion of agro-ecological practices, and land use for green purposes.

Ivica Petríková, Melvine Anyango Otieno, Gertrude Were, Mahmoud Eltholth, Ana Rodriguez‐Mateos, Seeromanie Harding, Victoria Hall Morán, Odipo Osano, Jennifer Cole · Food Security · Kenya

This study investigated the links between peri-urban households' engagement in agriculture, their dietary behavior, and their children's nutrition outcomes around Eldoret, Kenya. Survey data collected from 518 households indicated that peri-urban households involved in agriculture, particularly crop growing and sales, had more diverse and nutritious diets than non-engaged households. However, a significant improvement in children’s health outcomes in these households was observed only when coupled with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions.

Tayech Lemma, Mala Sharma · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ethiopia

A survey of 272 women in Hossana town, Ethiopia, using a multivariate probit model, identified food security and economic reasons as primary motivations for participating in urban agriculture. Factors such as age, education, marital status, family size, employment, non-urban farm income, farm experience, garden size, credit access, market access, and improved input use significantly influenced participation likelihood.

James Demenongu Demshakwa, Y.C. Professor Sati, Professor Erekpitan E. Ola-Adisa · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science · Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of community green spaces on social cohesion and public health in Tudun Wada and Vanderpuye areas of Jos metropolis, Nigeria, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of 400 participants using structured questionnaires and quantitative analysis found that community green spaces significantly enhance social cohesion and positively influence public health by reducing stress and promoting physical activity. The null hypotheses of no significant impact were rejected.

Stefania Lovo, Samantha Rawlings · The World Bank Economic Review · Ghana, Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of e-waste dumping sites on neonatal and infant mortality, focusing on two major dumpsites in Ghana and Nigeria. Using a difference-in-differences approach, outcomes were compared for children born near and far from dumpsites before and after their creation. E-waste sites increased neonatal and and infant mortality for those living closer to the sites, with event studies suggesting effects emerge two to three years after site openings. There is suggestive evidence that contamination of water and of urban farming produce are among the drivers of the observed effects.

Hailekiros Tadesse Tekle, Desta Berhe Sbhatu, Gebreselema Gebreyohannes · H2Open Journal · Ethiopia (Mekelle)

A study in Hadnet district, Mekelle, Ethiopia, assessed heavy metal concentrations in wastewater, spring water, and three leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, cauliflower). Wastewater samples from four experimental sites exceeded permissible limits for 4 out of 10 heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn), and spring water from a comparison site also exceeded limits for 4 metals (Al, As, Cd, Cu). Leafy vegetables grown in the least contaminated experimental site showed high concentrations for 6-7 out of 10 heavy metals, with lettuce and spinach having elevated levels of As and Al, respectively. The study concluded that the wastewater used for irrigation is not safe, the farm soils may have accumulated significant heavy metals, and the cultivated vegetables are highly contaminated, necessitating regulation of wastewater use for irrigation.

Terusaw Solomon, Kumelachew Yeshitela, Wondmagegn Taye Abebe · Discover Water · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

This study assessed the effectiveness of a vetiver grass floating treatment wetland in reducing irrigation water pollution at the Mekanisa-Gofa-Lafto Cooperative farm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After a 7-day treatment, the wetland reduced BOD (73.68%), COD (73.92%), pH (0.39%), Chloride (43.12%), Total Hardness (66.56%), and TSS (96.21%), approaching recommended irrigation water quality guidelines within 3 days. However, Electro Conductivity (22.2%) and Sodium (15.2%) concentrations increased, exceeding recommended values.

ke Chinelo Gloria, Eze H.C, Obasi C.J, Euphemia Afoma Ikegwuonu, Okonkwo Ngozi Nonyelum · International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews · Nigeria

To evaluate the water quality of the Obibia River in Amawbia, Anambra State, Nigeria, water samples were collected monthly and assessed for bacteriological and physicochemical parameters. The study identified multiple bacterial isolates, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, and Vibrio cholerae. Notably, E. coli, S. Typhi, and V. cholerae were frequently observed in both rainy and dry seasons. These findings suggest the necessity of adequate treatment before use and periodic evaluation of the water's quality for drinking and urban agricultural purposes.

Annabel Nyole, Daphne Randall, Naserian Saruni · The Journal of Public Space · Africa

A 2024 photo essay on youth-led public space initiatives in Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Harare, Zimbabwe. Using empirical data, it documents youth revitalizing local economies through urban farming and income diversification, and acting as stewards of green spaces in ways that enhance urban vitality, social connection, and well-being. It also reports that youth are extending their engagement into the digital sphere, advocating for internet access in public spaces as a socio-economic right.

Jane Yatuha, Justus Asasira, Godfrey Begumisa, Pascal Amandu · East African Journal of Science Technology and Innovation · Sub-Saharan Africa

This eight-week experiment, conducted from July to September 2023 in Mbarara city, Uganda, tested the capacity of greywater to serve as a hydroponic growing medium for vegetables (broccoli, spring onions, lettuce) and the greywater-cleansing capacity of Coleus ornamental plants. Greywater was collected from restaurant sculleries, and four treatments — greywater, greywater + NPK, tap water, and tap water + NPK — were each set up in triplicate, with pH, EC, TDS, temperature, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates, shoot length, leaf number, fecal coliforms, and heavy metals measured. All vegetables survived, but production levels differed significantly between treatments: lettuce had the highest production in three of the four treatments except greywater + NPK (ANOVA, F(3,56) = 2.970, p = 0.039), while spring onions grew best in greywater + NPK, differing significantly from other treatments (F(3,56) = 3.328, p = 0.026). Greywater treatments showed extreme EC and TDS values (1001.38 µS/cm and 502 ppm; 982.38 µS/cm and 490.75 ppm), significantly different from other treatments (p = 0.000), though no fecal coliforms were detected in vegetable tissue. Coleus progressively reduced TDS and EC and showed capacity to extract heavy metals from the greywater.

Arcadius Martinien Agassin Ahogle, Sammy Letema, Gertrud Schaab, Veronica Ngure, Abraham R. Mwesigye, Nicholas Kibet Korir · Frontiers in Soil Science · Kenya (Nairobi)

This study assessed heavy metal and trace element contamination risks in peri-urban farmlands in Nairobi city catchment, Kenya, by analyzing 60 soil samples from ten vegetable farming zones. Results showed elevated concentrations of elements including As, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Zn, with some exceeding permissible agricultural thresholds. As, Cd, Hg, and Pb exhibited high ecological risks, with Cd contributing 46-66% of the overall risk.

Adedoyin Osasona Foluso · International Journal of Home Economics Hospitality and Allied Research · Nigeria (Ekiti State)

Adolescent students' nutritional knowledge and strategies for improving their nutritional status were investigated in boarding schools in the Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used with 80 boarding house students from three government and private colleges. Findings revealed that a good percentage of boarding school students possessed good nutritional knowledge.

Navjot Sangwan, Luca Tasciotti · Agriculture · Sub-Saharan Africa

This cross-country study analyzed household data from nine Sub-Saharan African countries to investigate the impact of urban agriculture (UA) on household food expenditure and dietary diversity. Using an inverse-probability weighted regression adjustment method, the study found that households engaged in UA reduced overall food expenditure and increased spending on protein-rich foods like nuts, legumes, fruits, dairy, meat, and poultry. The impact of UA varied substantially across the food expenditure distribution.

Jade Morkel, Noxolo Dumani, Nick Malherbe, Shahnaaz Suffla · Community Development · South Africa

This case study, conducted in a low-income South African community, explored how a community gardener engages with the social solidarity economy (SSE) using thematic analysis of triangulated data from an interview, participant observation, and a participatory film. The study analyzed how the community garden fostered solidarity and established alternative micro-economic practices. It also considered challenges facing community gardens when connecting with the SSE.

Adane Sirage Ali, Sirak Robele Gari, M.L. Goodson, Claire Walsh, Bitew K. Dessie, Argaw Ambelu · PLoS ONE · Ethiopia

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of diarrhea among children under five in 402 wastewater irrigation farming households in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from November 2021 to February 2022. The overall prevalence of diarrheal cases in children under five was 22.3%. Diarrhea was strongly associated with wastewater-related occupational exposure factors, including body washing with irrigation water, contaminated cloth with irrigation water, use of protective clothing during farm work, use of farm work cloths at home, and bringing unwashed farm tools home.

Clemêncio Nhantumbo, Nídia Cangi Vaz, Mery Rodrigues, Cândido Manuel, Sífia Rapulua, Jéssica Langa, Hélio Nhantumbo, Dominic Joaquim, Michaque Dosse, José João Sumbana, Ricardo Santos, Sílvia Monteiro, Dinis Juízo · Water · Mozambique

A study investigated fecal microbial contamination levels in river water, drainage water, and drinking water in the Infulene River Basin, Mozambique. Samples from the Infulene River and drainage showed 82% positive for Total Coliforms and 61% for Escherichia coli, while drinking water samples were 63% positive for Total Coliforms and 23% for Escherichia coli. The study confirmed a high vulnerability to microbial contamination across all investigated sources due to poor sanitation and a lack of drainage infrastructure.

Yosef Abebe, Mulugeta Gashaw, Asenake Kefale, Tim Brewer · Water Reuse · Ethiopia

A study on wastewater governance in the upstream catchment of the Awash Basin, Ethiopia, found that untreated wastewater discharged from industries is polluting rivers and the surrounding environment. Regulatory bodies have done little to enforce rules and directives for wastewater regulation, and due to poor implementation of laws, urban agriculture is expanding without concern for its negative health and socioeconomic impacts.

Njenga John Ng’ang’a, Mukundi John Bosco, Masinde Peter Wasike, Kihurani Agnes Wanjiru · Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology · Kenya (Nairobi)

A study in Nairobi's eastern zone assessed heavy metal occurrence in urban farm inputs and food crops (tomatoes, arrowroots, kales). Cadmium, manganese, lead, and zinc concentrations were analyzed in soil, water, and crop samples. The study found that heavy metal contents, particularly cadmium, manganese, lead, and zinc, were above allowable limits in several crops, and based on FAO/WHO standards, were high for health concern.

Amare Molla Dinku, Tefera Chane Mekonnen, Getachew Shumye Adilu · Heliyon · Ethiopia

A mixed-methods study conducted in Dessie and Combolcha cities, north-central Ethiopia, surveyed 506 resident households to measure the status of food insecurity in urban food systems. The study confirmed that 33.1% of respondents were food insecure, with nine and six individuals per 100 people forced to 'sleep hungry' and 'not eat in the whole day and night' respectively. Household food insecurity was significantly associated with the gender of the household head, participation in casual labor, and living house ownership, and the degree of food insecurity was deemed higher due to weak food system governance, an inconsistent food supply chain, and socio-economic and gender inequalities.

John Wakhanu · International journal of food science and agriculture · Kenya (Machakos)

This study assessed the impact of a nutrition intervention using African indigenous leafy vegetables (AILVs) grown in school gardens in Machakos County, Kenya, on body composition changes in school-going children (6-10 years) using the Deuterium Dilution Isotope Method (DDIM). An experimental cross-over design with two phases (Phase I: 13 weeks, Phase II: 12 weeks) was used, with 66 children in the experimental group and 46 in the control group in Phase I. Findings indicated high morbidity and low nutritional status, poverty, and poor AILV consumption among subjects, but DDIM showed a significant improvement in body composition in experimental groups (p<0.001).

Xolile Mkhize, Bonginkosi E. Mthembu, Carin Napier · Journal of Agriculture and Food Research · South Africa (Durban)

This study in Umlazi Township, Durban, South Africa, assessed food and nutrition insecurity in an urban informal settlement through a household survey (n=200), vendor survey (n=25), anthropometric data, and land ecotope data. Findings showed that over 67.0% of informal dwellers were unemployed, surviving on a household food budget under US$115.1 per month, and 73.0% of households lacked access to land for cultivation. The study concludes that land accessibility for food production is restricted, contributing to food insecurity.

Ambroise Dalecky, Madougou Garba, Abdoulaziz Ibrahim Danzabarma, Jonas Etougbétché, Sylvestre Badou, Henri‐Joël Dossou, Ibrahima Sow, Cheikh Tidiane Niang, Ousmane Diene, Idrissa Diallo, Mohamed Seyidna Ali Saghiri, Mohamed El Hady Sidatt, Frank van Steenbergen, Amadou Bocar Bal, Luwieke Bosma, Gualbert Houémènou, Solimane Ag Atteynine, Karmadine Hima, Gauthier Dobigny, Yonas Meheretu · Environnement Risques Santé · Sub-Saharan Africa

The abstract text provided consists only of acknowledgments—thanking Valérie Golaz (INED-LPED), Marc Egrot (IRD-LPED), and the organizers of the international conference "Implementation of public policies and pesticides in the Souths" (PoPPesCI project, on public policies and pesticides in urban agriculture), held in October 2021 in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, for prompting the article's writing. It contains no actual findings or content about rodent proliferation or synthetic chemical rodenticides despite what the title suggests.

Sani Abubakar Mashi, Samuel Yakubu, Sofia Yuniar Sani · Asian Research Journal of Agriculture · Africa

A study in the Kubanni basin of Zaria, Africa, evaluated the quality of wastewater used for irrigating urban agriculture soils. The wastewater contained arsenic, iron, chromium, copper, zinc, manganese, and lead. Although concentrations were generally below Nigeria's permissible limits for irrigation, the study noted the metals' tendency to accumulate in soils, raising concerns about potential heavy metal buildup in irrigated soils and crops.

Nilesh L. Patil, Anjali A. Kulkarni, Dinesh Amalnerkar, Swapnil C. Kamble · South African Journal of Botany · South Africa

This study assessed the growth and nutrient values of wheatgrass cultivated in soil, hydroponics, aeroponics, and paper-pulp based potting mix soil. Plantlets from potting mix soil showed the highest height (88.67 cm), weight (15.13 gm), and overall nutrient content. Cost analysis over six months revealed that potting mix soil systems were 17x and 23x cheaper than hydroponics and aeroponics, respectively, making them the most productive for long durations.

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.