Research & reports

Prem José Vazhacharickal, Sumita Gupta Gangopadhyay · Kobra (Universitätsbibliothek Kassel) · India

This paper examines urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in India, focusing on wastewater irrigation and its associated human health risks. The study identifies potential health hazards for farmers, laborers, and consumers, including microbial pathogens and helminth (intestinal parasites). While UPA is presented as an option to address urban food demand, the paper emphasizes that "good practice UPA" requires integrated approaches and suitable risk reduction mechanisms to improve safety.

S. Mecca B. Özel · · Italy (Pisa)

Rapid urbanization has led to negative consequences such as urban poor, primarily formed in suburbs. The physical expansion of cities occurs more in suburbs, causing "urban sprawl" into rural areas beyond their boundaries, resulting in the loss of agricultural lands and stress on the surrounding natural environment.

de Vries, Arianna · · United States (New Jersey)

This study investigated three large-format suburban community gardens, each with over one hundred plots, in Central New Jersey, United States. Using geospatial mapping, on-site observation, and interviews with coordinators and gardeners, the research explored participation reasons and the suburban conditions fostering these gardens. It found that suburban gardeners participate for reasons similar to their urban counterparts, but the suburban context significantly shapes how these motivations are defined and described.

Pay Drechsel, Andrew Adam‐Bradford, Liqa Raschid-Sally, Drechsel, Pay, Adam-Bradford, A., Raschid-Sally, Liqa · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Ghana

This chapter introduces urbanization in West Africa, particularly Ghana, the general role of urban agriculture, and the common use of polluted irrigation water. It focuses on irrigated smallholder vegetable production, reflecting on the key challenges, dynamics, and resilience of this farming system.

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.

Joseph Agossou, Léonard Afouda, Julien Didier Adédémy, Alphonse Noudamadjo, Catherine N’da Tido, Emanliikpon Sylvain Ahohoui, Pierre G. Tovihoudji, Farouk Mazou, Benjami Fayomi, Simon Akpona, Sikiratou Adéothy-Koumakpaï, B Ayivi · Environnement Risques & Sante · Benin (Parakou)

This study analyzed the bacteriological and parasitic load in wastewater and market garden products from five major production sites in Parakou, Benin, where farmers use wastewater for irrigation. High concentrations of fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp., Entamoeba coli, Giardia intestinalis cysts, and helminth eggs were found in irrigation water, vegetables, and farmers' stools. The use of wastewater resulted in high contamination of vegetables, particularly cabbage, large lettuce, and carrot leaves, by fecal coliforms, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli.

Rosalia Filippini, Elisa Marraccini, Sylvie Lardon, Enrico Bonari · Italian Journal of Agronomy · Italy (Pisa)

This study developed a method to assess food production capacity in periurban areas, applying it to beef and lamb production in Pisa, Italy. The potential meat supply was estimated to meet 16% of beef demand and 62% of lamb demand. On-farm data indicated that the current lamb supply decreased to 37%, while beef remained at 14%. The actual supply was 70% and 10% of the current supply for beef and lamb, respectively. Gaps between these estimates, particularly for lamb production, suggest constraints in production and commercialization.

Giuseppe Cinà · PORTO Publications Open Repository TOrino (Politecnico di Torino) · Italy

This paper examines Italian planning, highlighting an unresolved discrepancy between urban and agricultural policies due to a long-standing separation of urban and rural worlds. It outlines how this historical gap results in two inconsistent and low-effective policies. The paper discusses agricultural parks as an attempt to overcome this planning backwardness by integrating spatial planning and agricultural activity, documenting three Italian examples.

郑书剑 · 国际城市规划 · China (Pearl River Delta)

This paper discusses "Cheng Bian Cun" (peri-urban villages) in China's Pearl River Delta region, identifying them as distinct settlements with diverse functions like housing low-income residents, suburban commerce, small industries, and urban agriculture. It argues that these functions are crucial for the overall human settlement system, but the current urban-rural dual system hinders their flexibility. The paper proposes that urban-rural planning should focus on integration, address land system limitations, and meet the needs for upgraded services and land resource market entry to improve residential rights and guide free operations in these villages.

Tian Ming-hu · Beijing Linye Daxue xuebao · China (Beijing)

This paper surveyed 872 residents in Beijing from August to October 2012, using the contingent valuation method to estimate the potential value of Beijing's community gardens. Results showed that the average amount people were willing to pay for community gardens was 1002.62 RMB per person, the average area people tended to rent was 38.80 m² per person, and the total amount people were willing to pay was 12.301 billion RMB.

Eng. Ir. Ahmad Rusdiansyah, M.Eng., Cscp · · Global

This research developed an integrated scheduling model for seedling and planting in urban agricultural products, considering seedling time, land availability, land productivity, selling price, and cost aspects. The model was tested with scenarios including increased demand, changes in land yield, changes in agricultural land area, and changes in harvest prices. Scenario test results indicated that agricultural land area and land yield were the most sensitive factors.

UM Dawaki, A. U. Dikko, SS Noma, U. Aliyu · Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences · Nigeria

A study investigated the total, exchangeable, and soluble concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd) in urban agricultural soils along three rivers (Challawa, Jakara, and Watari) in Kano, Nigeria. Cadmium concentrations at Jakara and Challawa exceeded maximum allowable concentrations in soils. Heavy metal concentrations were found to be significantly higher in areas irrigated with industrial and domestic sewage (Challawa and Jakara) compared to the control site (Watari).

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.

George Danso, Lesley Hope, Pay Drechsel, Danso, G., Hope, L., Drechsel, Pay · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Ghana

This chapter explored the financial and economic aspects of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Ghana. It conducted cost-benefit analysis comparisons of farm finances across common rural, peri-urban, and urban farming systems. Substudies also attempted to quantify societal benefits and cost externalities related to soil nutrient depletion, pesticide use, and urban malaria.

Nairobi Kenya · · Kenya (Nairobi)

This research investigated the type and distribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture production systems in Nairobi County, Kenya. Results showed that crop-only cultivation accounted for 58.8% in Kamukunji district, while mixed farming was predominantly practiced in Starehe district at 39.1%. Multi-storey (42.5%) and moist gardens (25%) were the most common urban production technologies, whereas drip irrigation (23.6%) and multi-storey gardens (25.5%) were preferred in peri-urban areas.

A. N. Mutune, M. A. Makobe, Mary Abukutsa‐Onyango · African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · Kenya (Nairobi)

This study analyzed heavy metal content in 10 common African leafy vegetables and their rhizosphere soils from 25 sites along Nairobi Rivers, Kenya. While soil metal concentrations were generally within WHO/FAO permissible levels, except for some cadmium instances, all metals except copper in vegetables exceeded recommended limits at a few sites. This indicates potential heavy metal absorption from industrial and domestic effluent.

Márcio Aleksandro Daniel, Ednaldo Michellon, Aline Midori Takemura, Jéssica Brasau da Silva, Willian Scanacapra · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil

The Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Reference Center (CERAUP) in Brazil implements a school garden project for students aged 6 to 12, funded by MEC/Proext. This project teaches vegetable cultivation and the importance of agroecological foods, fostering teamwork and learning in subjects like mathematics, chemistry, and geography. The project has been ongoing for over a year, with agronomy and pedagogy interns participating under the guidance of agronomists.

Anna Gaviglio, Alberto Pirani, Mattia Bertocchi · Advanced engineering forum · Italy (Milan)

This study assessed the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of farms within the South Milan Agricultural Park (PASM), based on interactions between the Milan metropolitan area and surrounding agricultural activities. The survey was conducted using an indicator-based tool to compare farms, with data collected from various sources. Results indicated that PASM's efforts provided valid economic tools for large multifunctional farms, deeply tied to the local context through services like direct sales, short chains, and agritourism, contributing to improved environmental conditions and landscape. However, large and small specialized farms lacking these income sources did not receive equal contribution.

Salwa Tohmé Tawk, Mounir Abi Said, S.K. Hamadeh · Oxford University Press eBooks · Global

This study in the Middle East and North Africa region investigated the relationship between urban agriculture and food security in two peri-urban locations: Bebnine, Lebanon, and Wadi el Seer, Jordan. High food insecurity was prevalent in both locations, demonstrating that producers were more food insecure than non-producers. Food security was found to be strongly associated with poverty and the number of household members.

Yuki Sampei, Yuji Hara, Akinobu Murakami, Armand PALIJON, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Makoto Yokohari · Journal of The Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture · Philippines (Metro Manila)

The nitrogen supply-demand balance in compost and vegetable production on vacant lots in suburban residential districts of Quezon City, Metro Manila, was assessed. Analysis revealed that almost half of the subdivisions faced nitrogen oversupply, while several were in short supply. Current centralized composting facilities may not adequately support a continuous compost recycling system due to their distribution patterns. It was proposed that existing barangay-based policies on organic waste management and urban agriculture require greater flexibility and attention to coordination systems across subdivision boundaries.

H. Renting · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Europe

This contribution highlights a growing research interest in urban and peri-urban agriculture and related public policies, particularly within Europe and internationally. It presents major European research projects and relevant recent international conferences focusing on urban and peri-urban agriculture. The paper outlines proposed debate topics and analytical approaches used in these initiatives.

Roberto Henke, Francesco Vanni · · Italy

This study aimed to explore the multifunctional role of peri-urban agriculture in Italy through a comparative analysis of three metropolitan areas: Milan, Rome, and Naples. Market-oriented farms in these three urban areas were selected and classified into three categories: traditional, adaptive, and reactive farms.

Laure Emperaire, Ludivine Eloy · Bulletin of Latin American Research · Brazil (Rio Negro)

Indigenous agricultural systems in the periurban Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil, have transposed from forest contexts to periurban areas, maintaining multi-plot cultivation and traditional knowledge. However, this agriculture faces challenges from modern urban agriculture values. Its ecological and cultural relevance relies on new market integration and partnerships.

Tô Thi Thu Ha, Paule Moustier, Nguyễn Thị Tân Lộc · Agritrop (Cirad) · Vietnam (Hanoi)

A 2009 survey in Hanoi, Vietnam, involving 47 agricultural households, 14 cooperative heads, 83 non-agricultural households, and 13 public officials, appraised perceptions of peri-urban agriculture. Farmers and agricultural officials were more optimistic about urban agriculture's future than non-farm residents. While most respondents believed agriculture should be maintained for food and employment, residents showed little desire to be involved in urban planning decisions, suggesting that the potential extinction of peri-urban agriculture might not elicit a strong reaction until it is too late.

Yuki Sampei, Yuji Hara, Akinobu Murakami, Armando M. Palijon, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Makoto Yokohari · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Philippines

This study assessed the nitrogen supply-demand balance in compost and vegetable production on vacant lots in subdivisions and barangays in Quezon City, Metro Manila, using GIS. It found that nearly half of the subdivisions experienced nitrogen oversupply, while others faced shortages. Although cooperation among subdivisions within a barangay could improve nitrogen balance, the current centralized composting facilities were deemed insufficient to support a continuous compost recycling system due to their distribution patterns. The study concluded that current barangay-based policies on organic waste management and urban agriculture need greater flexibility and attention to inter-subdivision coordination across barangay boundaries.