Research & reports

Thulani Dube, Bright Chisadza, Nkululeko Mpofu, Abel Mungure, Nancy N Manase · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · Zimbabwe (Bulawayo)

A study in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, investigating urban food insecurity resilience strategies through 200 household surveys, found that 50.5% of households experienced food insecurity, primarily driven by hyperinflation and unemployment. Current interventions, including urban agriculture, showed mixed effectiveness due to fragmented coordination and rural-biased programming, indicating governance challenges.

Md. Monirul Islam, Joydeb Gomasta, Md. Abdul Quddus, Asma Anwari, A. K. M. Saiful Islam, Md. Torikul Islam · New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science · Global

A two-year pot experiment was conducted from 2020 to 2022 on the roof of a four-story building to identify an optimal growing medium for dragon fruit cultivation on rooftops. Seven different combinations of soil, cocodust, biochar, and vermicompost were evaluated, with the medium comprising 80% cocodust and 20% vermicompost (T2) showing the highest branch count, fruit count, fruit weight, and yield in the second year. T2 also improved edible portion, TSS, and vitamin C contents, and exhibited the highest benefit-cost ratio (4.17).

Sylvie Ayimpam · · Congo (Kinshasa)

This chapter maps the multi-scalar supply chains feeding Kinshasa's markets, detailing how small retail functions as a nodal point. It traces historical and contemporary provisioning of local foodstuffs via road and river routes into urban wholesale hubs, examining peddlers, brokers, and 'ghost markets' that circumvent taxation. Distribution in Kinshasa is characterized by hybrid, shifting chains of intermediation combining logistical improvisation, social brokerage, and regulatory avoidance.

D Machoko, N Soboksa, M Zuma, X Mbhenyane · African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development · Zimbabwe

This qualitative case study, conducted in June and July 2022 in Rimuka, Kadoma District, Zimbabwe, explored motivations, crop diversity, and socioeconomic benefits of urban home gardening among thirty purposively sampled households. It found more women participate than men, kale is a year-round staple despite water scarcity, and primary water sources are family wells and public boreholes. Most gardeners started due to food shortages or pandemic fears, and while many do not sell produce, they earn significant income from off-farm activities.

Hikoline Hylleborg Erlandsen · Arbejderhistorie - tidsskrift for historie kultur og politik · Denmark (Copenhagen)

This article explores the little-known practice of digging for coke residues ("pillekoks") in Copenhagen allotment gardens during WWI and WWII. Using ethnological surveys from the 1970s and contemporary newspapers, the study shows this was a widespread practice with significant yields. Individual allotment owners could gather enough pillekoks with a value equivalent to several weeks’ wages, easing fuel scarcity and improving daily life during wartime.

Anne-Pauline de Cler · Internet Policy Review · Global

This paper explores the implications of a cooperative platform model for digital community supported agriculture (CSA) regarding work, governance, and accessibility within the solidarity economy. It examines what such a model entails as digital platforms increasingly integrate into CSA.

Jennifer Lyons, Anna Davies · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Czech Republic (Brno)

This report documents the sustainability impacts of Food Sharing Initiatives (FSIs) in Brno, Czech Republic, using data from CULTIVATE's automated Food Sharing Map and submitted Sustainability Impact Assessment data. The estimations cover environmental, economic, and social sustainability pillars. The report notes that the presented impact indicators are a subset of total impacts, and estimations will become more accurate with more submitted data.

Mehul Kumar, Aryan Raj, Sivam Visnu, Nishant Upadhyay · DMPedia Lecture Notes in Multidisciplinary Research · Global

This paper presents an open-source automation framework for urban polyhouse hydroponic farming, costing under $100, featuring multi-parameter sensing and a dual-loop control strategy. Three replicated 42-day trials with Coriandrum sativum using nutrient film technique (NFT) showed a 27.5% ± 3.2% increase in fresh weight and 82% water savings compared to manual control (p < 0.05). Economic analysis indicated a 6.1-month break-even and 96% ROI in the first year.

Jabulani Nyengere, Frank Tchuwa, Harineck Mayamiko Tholo, Allena Laura Njala, Chawanangwa Mwakisalu, Lucius Malalu, Chikondi Chisenga, Patson Nalivata, Weston Mwase, Msaiwale Kathewera, Brenda Matewere, Lackson Jamu, Jones Kanjira, Macdonald Chabwera, D. J. Kachamba, Andrew Jamali, Takudzwa Musekiwa, Clement Nyirenda, Henry Kadzuwa, Precious Masuku, Agnes Mwangwela · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Malawi (Lilongwe)

In Mpingu and Malingunde Extension Planning Areas of Lilongwe District, Malawi, the drivers of peri-urban land transformation were investigated using land use and land cover maps for 2004, 2014, and 2024, alongside household survey data from 279 farming households. Spatial analysis revealed substantial landscape transformation over two decades, with natural woodland declining by approximately 66%, cropland expanding by approximately 459%, and built-up settlement areas increasing by approximately 127%. A multinomial logit model analysis found that land markets, spatial accessibility, and institutional conditions were the primary drivers of land transformation.

Niloofar Shoja Razavi, Kefeng Zhang, Veljko Prodanović · Agricultural Systems · Global

This review assessed the agronomic suitability and contaminant profiles of five alternative water sources (greywater, blackwater, groundwater, rainwater, and stormwater) for urban crop irrigation. Four nature-based solution (NBS) technologies (constructed wetlands, biofilters, green roofs, and green walls) were evaluated as pre-treatment systems, with hybrid systems demonstrating over 97% removal efficiency for contaminants. Economic viability was highly dependent on crop selection; high-value crops like tomatoes and sweet peppers irrigated with treated groundwater showed the greatest profitability, while faba beans remained unviable regardless of treatment. Policy analysis identified substantial governance gaps, including inconsistent enforcement, limited public acceptance, and minimal regulatory guidance specific to urban agricultural water reuse.

M. Ilham Zainullah, Ita Marianingsih · SANTRI Jurnal Ekonomi dan Keuangan Islam · Global

This systematic review, analyzing 25 articles from an initial 166 Scopus records, maps how innovation, technology adoption, and Islamic entrepreneurial behaviors intertwine and contribute to the SDGs. Findings show five complementary faces of innovation: process-organization, sharia business/finance models, financial and platform digitalization, technological innovation in business models (e.g., urban farming–aquaponics), and halal product/marketing innovation, driven by individual values, Islamic HRM, finance architecture, and digital literacy. The impact is multidimensional performance, access to ethical capital, halal market behavior, and social and religious environmental outcomes, with strong contributions to SDG 8 and SDG 9.

Yizhi Zhang · · Global

This report systematically reviews the environmental performance of rooftop greenhouses, focusing on life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches. The review found that existing studies are limited, often case-specific, and use diverse methodologies, hindering comparisons. Environmental performance is highly context-dependent and influenced by methodological assumptions, with conventional LCA often failing to capture dynamic interactions between greenhouse operations, crop growth, and host buildings, leading to an incomplete representation of environmental performance.

Exequiel Campomanes, Ma. Rossdie Etis, Job Leroi Santiago, Reigne Tumbado, Mark Joseph Villamil, Jake Bitulia, Divina Gracia Cabaddu · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Philippines

This qualitative study in the Philippines examined the profiles and business strategies of small urban farmers for financial sustainability and growth. It found that urban farming can be profitable, with all informants generating positive returns despite variations in techniques and capitalization. However, urban farmers faced challenges including personal, organizational, financial, operational, commercial, and fundamental issues, which they resolved through strategic analysis and implementation.

Jocelyn Parot, Stefan Wahlen, Andreas Gattinger, Philipp Weckenbrock · Journal of Rural Studies · Global

This article maps and compares the organizational governance of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) globally, based on the first global survey of CSA partnerships. The study identifies three main types of CSA governance: community-governed farms, core group-governed partnerships, and producer-governed partnerships, demonstrating that the roles and commitment levels of consumers vary among these types. It also develops a decision-tree approach for consistent classification and describes the prevalence of governance types within and across national CSA movements.

Kelvin Kekeli Kobla Ahiakpor, David Ebo Adjepon‐Yamoah · DMPedia Lecture Notes in Computer Science & Engineering · Ghana

This paper presents Cultivate, an AgroAgent-as-a-Service (AaaS) platform designed to scale agricultural extension services in Ghana by allowing agronomists to deploy configurable AI agents. A pilot study with one agronomist and one farmer from Farmitecture, a Ghana-based urban farming startup, validated the system. The agronomist configured an agent in under ten minutes and estimated it could handle 50-60% of queries, while the farmer found responses specific and grounded. The pilot demonstrated the technical feasibility and positive reception of decentralized, agronomist-trained AI agents, noting limitations such as a small pilot sample and lack of WhatsApp integration.

Isabela Thomas Mkude · TANZANIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)

In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the utilization of faecal sludge derived compost (FSDC) by urban farmers remains limited due to farmers' prejudice and hesitance. This study investigated factors influencing FSDC acceptance through a cross-sectional survey of 76 urban farmers. Results indicated that garden location in communal areas, income generation as the primary farming purpose, and accessibility of soil inputs were significantly associated with FSDC acceptance. Farmers' awareness and experience also played important roles.

Manoel Hélio Sousa Santos, Bruno Matos de Farias · RCMOS - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber · Global

This systematic qualitative literature review, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, analyzed 20 documents to understand how recent academic production articulates education, work, and sustainability within Youth and Adult Education (EJA), focusing on school gardens. The literature recognizes gardens as a social technology that integrates ecological knowledge, cooperative practices, autonomy-building, and income generation, especially in socioeconomically vulnerable contexts. Gardens are concluded to be a powerful pedagogical device for EJA, contributing to critical environmental education, popular economy, and emancipatory practices.

Lovina Yogarajan, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Abdullah Al Mamun, Mohd Helmi Ali · Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies · Malaysia

An online survey of 250 urban residents across various regions of Malaysia investigated factors influencing the adoption of hydroponic farming. Findings indicate that attitude, hydroponic compatibility, and perceived trust significantly influence adoption intentions, and intention strongly influences actual adoption. However, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence did not significantly impact adoption intentions.

Jonas Sohn, Juliane Dziumla, Atiqah Fairuz Salleh, George Xydis · Sustainability Nexus Forum · Global

This study evaluated vertical farming (VF) through the resource nexus (RN) lens, emphasizing the interdependencies among energy, water, land, and materials. While VF offers advantages such as space efficiency, water conservation, and climate resilience, it was found to entail high energy demands, material dependencies, and economic feasibility challenges. An overview of these synergies and constraints helps identify mitigation strategies like circular water systems and hybrid renewable energy solutions.

Hamed Faghiri, Zulkornain Yusop, Zainal Abidin Mohamed · IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science · Malaysia

This systematic review analyzed 46 studies published between 2010 and 2025 to assess the role of urban farming in enhancing food security in Malaysia. Findings indicate that urban farming positively impacts food accessibility, availability, and affordability, while also promoting environmental sustainability and socio-economic inclusion. However, challenges such as limited space, regulatory hurdles, and public awareness gaps hinder its widespread adoption.

Magdalena Dickson Mwimbe, Jonathan S. Mbwambo, Halima Omari Mangi · East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology · Tanzania

This study assessed factors influencing household food security among 90 urban vegetable producers in Ilala Municipality, Dar es Salaam, using a cross-sectional design and structured questionnaires. Results showed 63.3% of households were food secure, with significant associations found between food security and land ownership, farming experience, and spinach production. Household size, market access, irrigation use, and farming experience were identified as significant predictors of food security.

Devotha B. Mosha · East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology · Tanzania

A study of Tanzania combining a systematic literature review with a comparative analysis of rural and urban food-production systems, examining how patriarchal land tenure, unpaid care work, and insecure urban farming arrangements restrict women's participation in higher-value agricultural production. The findings show that technical support alone is insufficient unless paired with structural reforms strengthening women's land rights, labour-saving technologies, and changes to unequal gender norms. Based on this, the study proposes a Gender-Transformative Approach linking legal reform, institutional support, technological innovation, and community-level change.

Abhijeet Das, Satchidananda Mishra · Green Technology Resilience and Sustainability · Global

This study develops a conceptual and analytical framework for embedding circular-economy and zero-waste principles into hydroponic agriculture systems worldwide, using system mapping, resource-flow analysis, and indicator structuring to compare linear, partial-recirculation, and near-zero-discharge configurations. The analysis found that continuous nutrient recirculation and controlled dosing improve resource retention, and that system stability increases when buffering capacities across water, nutrient, and energy subsystems are aligned; capacity balance and feedback control were identified as key determinants, though the work is conceptual, without empirical field validation.

Rabia Admin, Malka Shahzadi, Malika Shahzadi, Muhammed Faisal Rasheed · Social Sciences Spectrum · Pakistan

This study examines women's involvement and empowerment in agricultural activities in Lahore Cantonment, Punjab, Pakistan, based on data from 118 women engaged in agriculture, analyzed using mixed methods including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation, and multiple regression. The results show that while participation rates among women are high, women are not yet empowered, owing to existing socio-cultural and resource-based obstacles. Significant associations were found between land ownership and women's decision-making, between education and participation, and between access to credit and extension services and involvement in agricultural activities; the correlation matrix showed positive relationships among key variables, and regression analysis identified land ownership, education, and access to credit as significant predictors of women's empowerment. The paper states that changes to law, access to resources, and social support are needed to improve women's agency in peri-urban agriculture, and proposes policy measures including land rights reform, targeted educational initiatives, and improved access to resources.

Dawan Arkini Challam · Asian Research Journal of Agriculture · Global

A low-cost vertical farming system was built from 90 mm PVC pipes arranged in a three-tier frame, using soil as the primary growing medium, to grow strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) under a semi-controlled microclimate created by 50% shade netting during the vegetative stage. Shading reduced transpiration stress and improved moisture retention, promoting leaf development, and removing the shade at the onset of flowering increased floral initiation and the number of flowers per plant, attributed to improved light availability. This stage-specific light management raised leaf, flower and fruit counts and yield by combining features of open-field and protected cultivation, though the abstract does not report the number of plants tested or whether the trial was replicated.