Research & reports

F Ortega Sastriques, Rosa Orellana Gallego · · Global

Due to high prices and limited availability of drinking water in many cities, urban agriculture will require the use of alternative water sources. Groundwater and surface currents near cities are typically polluted, and this paper points out aspects to consider for safe irrigation using sewage water.

Innocent Nhapi · Water and Environment Journal · Zimbabwe (Harare)

This paper investigated the sustainability of urban water cycle practices in relation to water quantity and quality management in the Chivero catchment, the main water supply for greater Harare, Zimbabwe. Data on population, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, and river flows were collected from urban councils and government departments to assess consumption, wastewater generation, treatment, disposal, river flow trends, raw water abstractions, and demand patterns. Results showed that the current situation is unsustainable, with water quantity soon to be a problem at current consumption levels and water quality already problematic, especially regarding nutrient levels.

Pedro Antonio Rodríguez-Fernández, Sergio Antonio Silva-Soria · Redalyc (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México) · Global

In an intensive home garden under urban agriculture conditions, a two-factor, fully randomized design with six treatments and four replicates tested three levels of partially weathered manure (0, 10 kg/m2 sheep manure, 10 kg/m2 cattle manure) with and without foliar humus (10 kg/ha) on soil bacteria and fungi counts and on productivity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L., variety Espanol 16). Analysis of variance and Tukey's test showed that 10 kg/m2 of either manure combined with foliar earthworm humus was the best treatment, increasing fruit yield, lowering cost per unit weight and raising profitability.

Carla Ellen Lima Lemos, Eduardo Sevilla Guzmán · REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE AGROECOLOGIA · Argentina

A research note from Rosario, in southern Santa Fe province, Argentina, focused on migrant groups who moved to Rosario from Argentina's northern provinces over the past twenty years, some from the historical Guaraní cultural sphere, bringing agricultural work experience along with their language. Building on a history of resistance to industrial models of nature management through the Ligas Agrarias and, after repression under military dictatorship, work in traditional subsistence gardens within popular cooperativism, the paper sets out to open a line of research at CEPAR testing the hypothesis that Guaraní management forms exist in Rosario's community organic gardens. If supported, this could be termed a "Rosario agroecological gardening style"; the urban agriculture model that has taken shape is described as arising from the interaction between immigrant groups' knowledge and modern conventional agronomic technique.

Adolphe Monkiédjé, Michael Spiteller, D. Fotio, Premasis Sukul · Journal of Environmental Quality · Cameroon (Yaounde)

This study evaluated the effect of different land uses on soil health indicators in peri-urban agricultural areas of Yaounde, Cameroon, by comparing five tilled sites with native forest land. While most cropped land showed higher levels of many soil health indicators, cultivation of crops like corn and sugarcane significantly impacted native soil quality. Specifically, phenol oxidase, microbial biomass C/organic C, and microbial biomass C/microbial biomass P were negatively affected, indicating negative management impacts on soil health.

Astrid Mendez, Paulo Cseri Ricardo, P Jeny Pérez, Callejas Hernández, Osvaldo Campos · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cuba

This introductory study in Arroyo Naranjo municipality, Cuba, examined the use of Luyanó effluent wastewater for irrigation in urban agriculture. The wastewater was classified as low contamination based on BOD5 and COD values and posed no toxic contamination risk to soil or environment. However, it should not be used without prior treatment for direct consumption crops due to its microbial load. Experimental plots with carrot, radish, and marigold showed high agricultural yields, and radish harvests had no bacterial contamination.

Ramón Liriano González · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Cuba (Matanzas)

This study evaluated the effect of organic matter and biofertilizers (Azospirillum sp and Mycorrhizae) on horticultural crops and their economic effectiveness in Matanzas, Cuba. Two experiments were conducted: one at the University of Matanzas and another at the 'La Dignidad' urban garden, both using 13 treatments including varying organic matter doses and biofertilizer combinations. The study details the application methods and experimental design, but the abstract does not state the findings.

Olufunke Cofie, Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic, Pay Drechsel · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · Ghana

This study investigated the use of faecal sludge (FS) for crop production in Tamale and Bolgatanga, Ghana, involving 90 farmers and sanitation officials. 64% of farmers used FS to improve soil fertility and increase maize and sorghum yields. While perceived to reduce pathogens, 22% of farmers reported itching feet and foot rot after working with FS without protective footwear. Constraints included foul smell, transport issues, and public mockery, yet competition for FS existed due to its benefits.

Jitsuo Saito · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Global

This article explores the concept of green community tourism for urban citizens, discussing the ambivalence towards community and the role of green money in fostering green prosumerism. It suggests that green tourism can build communities that integrate both market and non-market economies, strengthening relationships between urban and rural communities and supporting Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The article also references the Japanese Organic Certification Rule announced in 2000.

Hasan Belevi, Bettina Baumgartner · International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management · Global

This paper provides a systematic overview of urban agriculture in low and middle-income countries, identifying research needs. It highlights the importance of cross-cutting issues between urban agriculture and environmental sanitation, including excreta, wastewater, and solid waste management. Further research is needed to quantify the benefits, risks, opportunities, and constraints of urban agriculture, as well as its impact on food quality and the environment when reusing waste.

Innocent Nhapi, Huub J. Gijzen, Maarten A. Siebel · Water Science & Technology · Zimbabwe (Harare)

This study aimed to formulate an integrated wastewater management model for Harare, Zimbabwe, integrating resource recovery and reuse in urban agriculture. Harare was divided into five major operational areas, and specific options were considered to suit land use, development constraints, and socio-economic status within the overall criteria of limiting nutrient inflows into Lake Chivero. Flexible and differential solutions were developed in relation to the built environment, population density, user composition, ownership, future environmental demands, and technical, environmental, hygienic, social, and organizational factors.

Steven A. Esray · Water Science & Technology · Global

This paper argues that ecological sanitation should be understood as a closed-loop approach to human excreta management, rather than merely an alternative toilet. With urban populations in Africa and Asia expected to double in the next 25 years, ecological sanitation can facilitate urban agriculture and avoid adverse environmental impacts of conventional treatment. This approach can significantly contribute to food security and public health in a sustainable future.

E. Makumbelo, L. Lukoki, Sj. Paulus, J., N. Luyindula · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)

A survey conducted in 201 plots within the Limete commune of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, inventoried nineteen cultivated vegetable species and 764 plants from 18 fruit-tree species. Mangifera indica was identified as the most planted tree species, while Ipomoae batatas was the most frequently cultivated vegetable species.

Adriana Maria de Aquino · · Cuba

This study analyzes the geographical scope and organizational structure of urban agriculture in Cuba. It identifies organic matter as one of the key bases for urban agriculture and describes modalities for producing fresh vegetables and condiments.

I. Sandoval, Marco López, M. Stefanova, B. Bernal, Mario Oswaldo Siles Neyra, Daniela Rodríguez García, F. Rodríguez · · Cuba

This study identified major fungal species causing damping-off in tomato seedlings in Cuba, with Rhizoctonia solani present in 50% of samples, Phytophthora parasitica in 41%, and Pythium aphanidermatum in 8.3%. Seed treatment with the antagonist Trichoderma harzianum (strain A34) increased germination to 100% in Floradel, Lignon, Placero, Criollo, and Campbell-28 varieties, compared to 70-80% in untreated ones. This treatment also increased seedling weight and fruit size, and for the Placero variety, it resulted in over 50% higher harvest, yielding a profit of $560.12.

E. Mensah, Philip Amoah, Robert Clement Abaidoo, Pay Drechsel · CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) · Ghana

This document presents case studies on environmental concerns related to urban and peri-urban vegetable production in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana. It is part of a larger work on waste composting for urban and peri-urban agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I. Etuah-Jackson, W. P. Klaassen, J. A. Awuye · CABI Publishing eBooks · Ghana (Accra)

This paper reports on solid waste management in Accra, Ghana, examining the experiences of two compost plants, Teshie-Nungua and Ashiedu Keteke (AKCPP), with urban waste composting. It also describes the urban farming systems in Accra and identifies current and potential users of the produced compost.

E. Pena, M. V. Carrion · · Cuba

Four experiments were conducted at INIFAT experimental plots on organoponicos (horticulture on organic substrates) in Cuban urban agriculture. The study investigated substrate preparation methods, sources and proportions, fertility maintenance with organic fertilizers, and earthworm inoculation. Key findings indicated that substrates should be mixed homogeneously, and many crops showed better yields with 75% Cachaza mixtures. Decreases in nutrient and organic matter content led to a gradual decline in yield, while earthworm humus application and direct inoculation maintained fertility and increased yields.

Nercy Rodríguez de la Rosa, Raimundo M. Díaz Esquivel, Lissett Gutiérrez Hernández, Susana Pérez Talavera, Francisco M. Pérez Tabares · Alimentaria · Global

This study aimed to establish a methodology for using solar dryers for food and seed preservation under rustic conditions. It was established that condiments and seeds can be dried in approximately 3 days, maintaining their qualities and offering additional sanitary advantages. The manufacturing of solar dryers is very simple and does not require large investments.

Raúl Ortíz, Celia Patricia Vera, Antonio Leyva · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cuba

A diagnostic study was conducted on the conditions of urban gardens, their producers, and families in 20 gardens across five localities in the "Boyeros" and "Arroyo Naranjo" municipalities of Havana, Cuba, between December 1998 and March 1999. While the garden agroecosystems showed satisfactory biodiversity, general knowledge of biological technologies in sustainable urban agriculture remained relatively low. None of the surveyed plot owners consciously knew or used vermiculture, pisciculture, biofertilizers, biopesticides, or biostimulants, and almost half did not consciously use crop rotation.

Thomas Nelson · PubMed · Global

This paper discusses the global pattern of nutrient transfer from rural to urban areas, which diminishes cropland vitality and creates a dilemma for feeding urban populations. Urban farming is presented as an approach to support food needs and contribute to municipal waste management. Governments in countries like the US, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada are recognizing local food production as a component of food security.

Kevin W. King, J. C. Balogh · Transactions of the ASAE · Global

This study developed a first-order decay equation to model the nitrogen release rate of sulfur-coated ureas (SCUs), prevalent in urban agricultural management. The model was fit with reasonable accuracy for both surface (Efficiency R²=0.63) and incorporated (Efficiency R²=0.70) applications. Temperature and seven-day dissolution were determined as best descriptive parameters for the surface model, while soil moisture and temperature were used for the incorporated model. Each model was validated with a limited amount of data, showing prediction efficiencies of 0.82 for surface and 0.63 for subsurface applications.

Drangert Jo · PubMed · Global

Motivated by concerns over water and food scarcity and the health threats posed by faecal pollution and malnutrition, this paper discusses the development of a no-mix excreta disposal system that separates urine and faeces. It argues that ecological sanitation systems open up new, constructive sanitation options, particularly in poor peri-urban areas. The purpose of the no-mix system is described as saving water, reducing wastewater treatment problems, protecting groundwater quality, and recirculating nutrients from urine, and the paper addresses these aspects comprehensively.

Altieri M.A., Companioni N., Cañizares K., Murphy C., Rosset P., Bourque M., Nicholls C.I. · Agriculture and Human Values · Cuba (Havana)

This study analyzes Cuba's grassroots urban agriculture movement that emerged after the 1989 Soviet collapse, showing how ~8,000 gardens nationwide operated on agroecological principles without synthetic inputs, providing Havana with thousands of tonnes of produce by 1996.

· TSpace (University of Toronto) · Uganda

The determinants and impact of integrating forage legumes into intensive smallholder crop/livestock systems in peri-urban areas of central Uganda were investigated using an interview schedule with 90 smallholder milk producers and an econometric model. Findings showed that integration is more likely among farmers with less farmland or proximity to milk and input markets. Farmers integrating legumes into elephant grass obtain more herbage that remains greener into the dry season, spend less on artificial insemination services, and their animals have a lower incidence of disease.