Research & reports

Kgosi Khumalo, Siyabonga Xaba, Mpho Motshekga, Thabo Tshabalala · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This systematic review examined eco-friendly urban gardening practices for youth in Johannesburg slums, analyzing 34 studies from multiple databases. The review found a trend towards community-led initiatives combining horticulture with sustainable living education. These practices positively impacted household food insecurity, reducing it by an average of 20%, and enhanced youth engagement in environmental stewardship.

Douglas Chitepo · Agriprobe · South Africa

The Further Education and Training sub-programme in South Africa's Western Cape is mandated to deliver skills-based training programs and structured learnerships to a diverse target group. This group includes subsistence, smallholder, and commercial farmers, as well as rural and peri-urban agricultural communities and youth.

Ferdinan Dos Santos · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Sub-Saharan Africa

This study examines the impact of school garden programmes on nutrition knowledge and food security among primary school students in rural Mozambique. While such programmes have been implemented across various regions with mixed results, this study used a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with primary school students and their parents or guardians. Students showed a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) in nutrition knowledge, with an average score increase of 20% on the post-intervention survey compared with pre-test results. The findings indicate that the school garden programmes positively influenced students' nutritional knowledge and contributed to their families' food security in Mozambique's rural areas. The authors state that further studies should examine long-term impacts and potential barriers to implementation.

Oranjezicht City Farm · Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) · South Africa

Founded in 2012, Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) is an organic urban farm and market in Cape Town, South Africa. Alongside a weekend market selling certified organic produce, it runs volunteer programmes, workshops and farm tours to build local food culture and community. In December 2025 the market relocated to the V&A Waterfront.

Dick Foeken, Samuel Owuor, Alice Mwangi · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Kenya (Nakuru)

This paper examined school farming in Nakuru town, Kenya, focusing on current practice, its contribution to school feeding programs, and the challenges it faces. Based on a survey conducted in almost all primary and secondary schools in Nakuru, it shows that school farming and school feeding are common practices in the town. In many cases, school farming contributes to school feeding programs.

Dick Foeken, Samuel Owuor, Alice Mwangi · Children Youth and Environments · Kenya

A survey was conducted in almost all primary and secondary schools in Nakuru Town, Kenya, to examine the extent to which school farming contributes to school feeding programs. The survey found that while school farming and feeding programs are common practice, school farming substantially contributes to school feeding programs in relatively few cases.

Kanini Muthoni · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Kenya

This study used mixed-methods, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews, to assess community gardens in rural Western Kenya. Engagement levels in the gardens ranged from 75% to 80%, with vegetable cultivation being a key theme in nutrition education. The study found that effective community engagement and targeted nutrition education significantly contribute to the sustainability of these projects, especially in promoting sustainable food production.

Dick Foeken, Samuel Owuor · Leiden Repository (Leiden University) · Kenya (Nakuru)

A survey was conducted in June 2006 among primary and secondary schools in Nakuru town, Kenya, to examine school farming and school feeding practices. Data on school characteristics, school farming activities, and school feeding practices were collected using a structured questionnaire. The study showed that school farming is very common in Nakuru town, with almost all schools engaged in flower gardening and tree growing, over half practicing crop cultivation, and some keeping livestock.

Voster Ineke H.J, Jansen van Rensburg Willem, Van Zijl J.J.B, Venter Sonja L · African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development · South Africa

In South Africa, traditional leafy vegetables have been labeled as weeds since the 1960s, leading to a negative perception and unwillingness to use them. Awareness activities in six communities, including training sessions in seven schools and eight community gardens, aimed to improve the status of these crops. These activities resulted in increased awareness of their poor conservation status, appointment of seed keepers, and a noticeable increase in demand for seeds and production training.

FN Nnadi, CD Akwiwu · International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences · Nigeria

A study in Imo State, Nigeria, investigated the utilization of improved cassava production technologies by 240 randomly sampled urban cassava farmers. The results showed high utilization of herbicide/manual weeding (87%), improved cassava varieties (58.3%), and fertilizer (50%). Farmer age, education, farming experience, household size, information sources, and farmland ownership status determined the utilization of these technologies.

Bright Agyeman, Kofi Owusu Afriyie · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Africa

Among primary school students in Ghana, who have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, a mixed-methods study combining pre- and post-intervention surveys with focus group discussions (n = 300) assessed changes in nutritional knowledge and behavior following a school garden program. After the program, the proportion of students eating at least one fruit daily rose statistically significantly (p < .05) from a baseline of 20% to 45% post-intervention. The findings indicate school garden programs effectively improve nutrition-related behaviors among Ghanaian primary school students, suggesting a need for replication and expansion.

Mpho Tshepiso Khumalo, Nomsie Makhubela · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · South Africa

This mixed-methods study investigated urban youth engagement in community gardening initiatives in six South African cities, using surveys, ethnographic observations, structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation. Participants reported a significant 34% increase in self-reported empowerment levels after engaging in these initiatives. The findings suggest community gardens can be effective for youth empowerment, but further research on long-term effects and scalability is needed.

Haile Meskel Balcha · Food and Nutrition Bulletin · Ethiopia

World Vision Ethiopia launched a Micronutrient Program in October 1998 to improve the micronutrient status of mothers and children, promoting vitamin A–rich food production. By 1999, 11,708 backyard gardens, 275 school gardens, and 77 community gardens were developed, contributing to household food security and income. The program found that vitamin A–rich vegetable production was well accepted, sustainable, and cost-effective, but faced challenges with the availability and cost of imported seeds.

Adrienne Martin, B. Pound · · South Africa

This report describes a visit to South Africa to facilitate a participatory workshop for an urban agriculture project in Sobantu Village, KwaZulu-Natal. The visit's objectives were to identify organizational, social, technical, and financial issues and necessary activities to initiate an urban agriculture project with the Sobantu community, the Institute for Natural Resources (INR), and Department of Agriculture staff. Discussions also included a draft manual on FSR/FPR being prepared by NRI/INR.

Lee M · PubMed · Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, urban agriculture faces significant challenges due to government disapproval of public land use for farming and difficulty in obtaining credit. A 1983 survey in Addis Ababa found that 17% of 1352 households produced their own food on less than 25 sq. meters, with 90% of non-farmers citing lack of land. Despite urban agricultural cooperatives demonstrating 70% higher member income, their lack of government legalization prevents access to loans for productivity improvement.

Pauline Raphaely · Birkhäuser Basel eBooks · South Africa

Food Gardens Unlimited is an educational project in South Africa that teaches disadvantaged urban populations to grow food in small areas using limited resources. The project provides five-day training courses, step-by-step directions, and subsidized seeds through existing institutions. It aims to deliver physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits to participants.