Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1177 results(36 / 48)
Urban agriculture and poverty alleviation in developing countries
2014Zogo Ndomo, Yannick Emmanuel · Bulletin of animal health and production in Africa · Global
Urban agriculture in developing countries is a vital asset in the livelihood strategies of urban households, having expanded rapidly over the last two decades and contributing to income generation for unqualified workforces. However, the illegal status of urban agriculture has created a governance vacuum, necessitating policy formulation and institutionalized management to secure land for the urban poor and improve food security and the environment. Political leaders have a role in regulating this sector.
Governance failureEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageFactores limitantes en la producción de semillas en la provincia de Cienfuegos
2014Rafaela Soto Ortíz, Michael Peña Smith, Idia Concepción, Islay García Hernández · Revista Científica Agroecosistemas · Cuba (Cienfuegos)
In Cienfuegos province, Cuba, limiting factors and seed production quality were identified through a non-experimental, longitudinal study from 2001 to 2012. The investigation revealed a decreasing trend in seed production levels and genetic erosion at the Company of Several Seeds in Cienfuegos, with basic seed categories declining and producers lacking necessary knowledge. Productive infrastructure, resource availability, climate change impacts, and insufficient knowledge were identified as key limiting factors.
Economic viabilityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceTaste in the Anthropocene: The Emergence of “Thing-power” in Food Gardens
2014Bethaney Turner · M/C Journal · Global
This paper examines the role of taste in relation to food produced in backyard or community gardens. As outlined by Bourdieu, taste is constructed by factors primarily driven by economic position and cultural influences, with the rise of international agribusiness significantly impacting the social shaping of tastes. Food is primarily conceptualized as an economic and symbolic good controlled by humans, and literature on food provisioning choices in food sociology and human geography tends to focus on understanding food purchasing decisions and eating habits.
CommunityEconomicsHealthA RÖVID ELLÁTÁSI LÁNCBAN REJLŐ LEHETŐSÉGEK ÉS VESZÉLYEK MAGYARORSZÁGON
2014Dorottya Szabó, Szabó, Dorottya · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Hungary
This study examines the situation of short supply chains (SSC) in Hungary. It highlights that developing SSC in Hungary is not an easy task, as small farmers typically have weak cooperation and lobbying skills. While traditional direct marketing is common, innovative forms of SSC are rare.
Economic viabilityCSA & TeikeiEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceFactors affecting roadside urban agriculture in Zimbabwe: A case study of Harare high density suburb of Mufakose
2014Wisdom Kurangwa, Retseleng Karonga, Kwayedza Muranda Kaseke, Liliosa Pahwaringira · International journal of research in social sciences · Zimbabwe (Harare)
A case study on roadside urban agriculture in Mufakose high density suburb, Harare, Zimbabwe, showed that the majority of respondents were unemployed, aged 41-60, had a high number of dependents, and earned less than $200 per month. This high level of poverty, combined with inadequate home garden space, forced them to practice roadside agriculture to supplement their diet and income.
CommunityWelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceEnhancing Food Security and Economic Welfare through Urban Agriculture in Zimbabwe
2014Ezra Pedzisai, Pedzisai Kowe, C. H. Matarira, Anyway Katanha, Ronald Rutsvara · Journal of food security · Zimbabwe
The contributions of urban agriculture to household food security and income were assessed in Cold Stream, a low-income residential area of Chinhoyi town in Zimbabwe. Twenty questionnaires were administered to urban farmers, five key informants were interviewed, and three fieldworks were carried out. Results showed that urban agriculture is a prominent livelihood for the poor unemployed majority (53%), and while local non-governmental organizations provide inputs and technical advice, there is no government support. Questionnaire results confirmed that farmers are poor, using yields and income primarily for basic necessities. All urban farmers (100%) consume their produce, enhancing food security. A majority (80%) agreed that urban farming makes food cheaper, improving accessibility. About half (48%) also agreed that urban agriculture reduces food insecurity in their rural homes. Challenges include a lack of credit lines for inputs and unfavorable policy arrangements that classify urban agriculture as an illegal activity.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsWelfareCommunityPolicyGarden space: Mapping trade-offs and the adaptive capacity of home food production
2014Valérie Dewaelheyns, Frederik Lerouge, Elke Rogge, Liesbet Vranken, Dewaelheyns, Valerie, Lerouge, Frederik, Rogge, Elke, Vranken, Liesbet · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Belgium (Flanders)
This study developed a theoretical model to capture, quantify, and interrelate the most relevant variables and constraints of potential food production in domestic gardens. The model development was fostered by quantitative and qualitative data collection for the Flanders case study, providing insights into current and potential food production in Flemish domestic gardens. While not finalized, the model allows exploration of spatial and temporal constraints of individual domestic gardens for food production, contributing to a better understanding of the adaptive capacity of small-scale multifunctional spaces.
DIYEconomicsUrban–rural linkagePotentials of Urban Agriculture in Reflection of “The Thessaloniki Project - Red and Green”
2014Zsuzsanna Fáczányi · YBL Journal of Built Environment · Greece (Thessaloniki)
This paper explores the potentials of urban agriculture by analyzing proposals from "The Thessaloniki Project - Red and Green" and other urban agriculture projects. It discusses a course at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki where MSc students designed urban agriculture forms for a fallow area in Thessaloniki, Greece, considering the local crisis situation. The analysis emphasizes the necessity of community generation through such initiatives.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsUrban agricultural typologies and the need to quantify their potential to reduce a city's environmental 'foodprint'
2014Benjamin Goldstein, Morten Birkved, Michael Zwicky Hauschild, John Fernández · · Global
The supply chain supporting urban food consumption currently stresses the environment at planetary, regional, and local scales. Urban agriculture (UA) is claimed to mitigate environmental burdens from urban food needs, but the veracity of these claims remains inconclusive. This study addressed the lack of meaningful systematics by developing a system that categorizes UA into five broad types, optimized for comparing environmental performance.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkageEconomicsCommunity Role of Civil Society in the Household Waste Management and Urban Farming
2014Dwi A. Nirwana · International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis · Global
This study investigated the community role of civil society in household waste management and urban farming for achieving sustainable development, using a case study method. Data was collected through physical observation, interviews, and literature review. The results indicate that the community plays a significant role in achieving sustainable development.
CommunityOrganic cycleEconomicsOptions for local financing in urban agriculture
2014Irene S. Egyir, Olufunke Cofie, Marielle Dubbeling · CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) · Ghana (Accra)
This chapter, based on a 2009 study in Accra, Ghana, assessed the practices of institutions and programs that could finance urban agriculture, as well as existing bottlenecks and opportunities in financing. Information was gathered through surveys involving 179 respondents from financial institutions, urban farmers, traders, and processors, alongside literature reviews, stakeholder mapping, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a validation workshop.
EconomicsPolicyIrrigated vegetable farming in urban Ghana: a farming system between challenges and resilience
2014Pay 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.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureS'intégrer pour se pérenniser : pratiques d'agriculteurs urbains dans trois villes du Sud
2014Ophélie Robineau, Julia Tichit, Thomas Maillard · Espaces et sociétés · Global
This study examines the socio-spatial integration of urban agriculture in three Southern cities, despite its limited consideration in urban planning policies. In Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso), farmers secure access to productive resources through social relations. In Metro Manila (Philippines), local actor networks ensure the sustainability of practices. In Saint-Louis (Senegal), farmers' self-initiated organizations enable them to assert their interests with urban authorities, highlighting the challenge of urban agriculture not being adequately integrated into planning policies.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsGovernmentality in urban food production? Following “community” from intentions to outcomes
2014Luke Drake · Urban Geography · Global
This study analyzed six case studies of community gardens, categorized by grassroots, externally-organized, and active nonprofit management, to examine how "community" definitions influence participation or resistance in urban food production. The analysis highlights specific organizational and management moments that affect engagement, scrutinizing community gardens as sites of governmentality that produce neoliberal subjects.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyEconomicsTowards urban food sovereignty: the trials and tribulations of community-based aquaponics enterprises in Milwaukee and Melbourne
2014Julia Laidlaw, Liam Magee · Local Environment · Global
This paper explores stakeholder experiences of community-based urban aquaponics enterprises in Milwaukee and Melbourne using a comparative case study methodology and in-depth interviews. It aims to understand the internal and external factors impacting their success or failure. The study highlights challenges in establishing these enterprises.
Economic viabilityFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityEconomics도시농업의 이론, 패러다임 및 유형 분석을 통한 지속가능한 개발방향에 관한 연구
2014한주형, 장동민 · · Global
This study aimed to propose sustainable development directions for urban agriculture by analyzing its theories, paradigms, and types. It classified urban agriculture definitions into five types, identified four similar concepts, and defined sustainable urban agriculture theory using four keywords: eco-environmentalism, human socialism, high-tech, and capital economy. The study also derived 16 development types for urban agriculture, suggesting its evolution into a "new 6th industry" through a feedback linkage from primary to fifth industries.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsClimate changeDigital agricultureEmergence and Effects of Urban Agriculture in Cuba
2014Janice Argaillot · Espaces et sociétés · Cuba
This article analyzes the development of urban agriculture in Cuba. Driven by crises from the USSR collapse and US blockade, Cuba developed an internationally recognized agricultural model. The study explores the causes of urban agriculture's emergence in Cuba, its various forms, and its repercussions on citizens' social and cultural life.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyCommunityFood Purchasing From Farmers’ Markets and Community-Supported Agriculture Is Associated With Reduced Weight and Better Diets in a Population-Based Sample
2014Leia Minaker, Kim D. Raine, Pat Fisher, Mary E. Thompson, Josh van Loon, Lawrence D. Frank · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · Global
This study examined associations between local food purchasing and diet-related outcomes using surveys from a population-based sample of 2228 households (4902 individuals). Multilevel linear regressions showed that higher frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and CSAs predicted lower body mass index and waist circumference. Additionally, CSA use predicted better diet quality, after controlling for demographic factors.
CSA & TeikeiHealthEconomicsSchool Gardens: Situating Students within a Global Context
2014Thomas DeVere Wolsey, Diane Lapp · Journal of Education · Global
This article proposes a pedagogical framework for school gardens, highlighting their role in promoting healthier eating habits, sustainable local practices, and community service. It suggests that school gardens can integrate knowledge of cultures, resources, and sustainable food sources, potentially leading to increased care for the community and the planet. The article also notes that school gardens can provide opportunities for students to contribute to the availability of fresh, healthy foods in socioeconomically challenged areas.
Food educationCommunityHealthEconomicsWelfareDependency syndrome by communities or insufficient ingestion period by benefactor organizations? The Chirumanzu caritas community gardening project experiencein Zimbabwe
2014Mark Matsa, Beauty Dzawanda · · Zimbabwe
This study assessed the performance of Caritas-initiated and sponsored community gardens in Chaka ward, Chirumanzu District, Zimbabwe, during and after the sponsors' regime. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations, and analyzed with descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results showed that the gardens flourished during Caritas's presence but quickly shrank and folded after the NGO's departure, indicating a lack of sustainability.
Governance failureCommunityEconomicsClimate changePolicy都市农业 农业里的“高大上”
2014古月 · 新农业 · Global
This paper describes urban agriculture using the popular 2013 term "gaodashang" (high-end, atmospheric, and classy). Urban agriculture is an industry in urbanized areas that utilizes pastoral landscapes, natural ecology, and environmental resources, combining agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery production, agricultural business activities, rural culture, and rural life. It provides places for people to engage in leisure tourism, experience agriculture, and understand rural areas, integrating the three functions of agricultural production, life, and ecology.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changeFood educationALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT ON THE ORGANIC SECTOR HORIZONCOMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE IN HUNGARY
2014Zoltán Dezsény, Bálint Balázs, Katalin Réthy · · Hungary
This study explored farm enterprises following Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) practices in Hungary. The research confirmed that CSA can be identified as a sustainable rural business strategy for innovative organic farmers. It also has transformative potential for food-system localization, providing decent livelihood, good care of natural resources, and strengthening social cohesion within the rural-urban interface in Hungary.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunityUrban–rural linkageDomestic Residential Garden Food Production in Melbourne, Australia: a fine-grained analysis and pilot study
2014Zainil Zainuddin, David Mercer · Australian Geographer · Australia (Melbourne)
This pilot study conducted a fine-grained analysis of domestic residential garden food production among 15 selected householders in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Participants collected detailed daily information about their food production over a three-month period, with two respondents maintaining records for one or more years. The results demonstrated enormous diversity in harvested food and extremely high productivity levels from relatively small domestic spaces.
DIYCommunityEconomicsThe Research of CSA Project Financing Obstacles and Forming Factors
2014Song Pin · Anhui nongye kexue · Global
This paper examines the obstacles and forming factors in project financing for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), identifying problems such as imperfect investment entities, unclear financing objectives, and single investment methods and channels. Using a four-stakeholder model (project investors, national policy, CSA, and consumers), the study elaborates on the causes of these financing difficulties. It proposes solutions including strengthening CSA's brand and marketing to cultivate loyal customers, and leveraging government, financial institutions, and private capital to address financing challenges.
Economic viabilityCSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunityPENGEMBANGAN MODEL INTEGRASI PENJADWALAN PEMBIBITAN DAN PENANAMAN PADA PRODUK PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN
2014Eng. 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.
EconomicsDigital agriculturePeri-urban agriculture