Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
88 results(4 / 4)
Eco-Friendly Urban Gardening Practices in Johannesburg Slums: A Systematic Review
2012Kgosi 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.
CommunityWelfareFood educationClimate changeClimate change, urban agriculture and water access: which adaptation strategies for better management of water resources; the case of truck farming in Benin
2011Bertrand Foe, Salou Zoulkilf · · Benin
A transverse case study conducted from January to June 2011 in Cotonou, Benin, with 50 truck farmers, investigated adaptation strategies for water access in urban agriculture. The study found that increased temperatures and irregular rains reduce available water, making truck farming difficult and painful. Despite increased working time, production decreased by about 50%, indicating a negative economic impact.
Economic viabilityClimate changeUrban–rural linkageEconomicsUrban agriculture in metropolitan Lagos: An inventory of potential land and water resources
2011Olugbenga I. Akinmoladun, O. T. Adejumo · Journal of Geography and Regional Planning · Nigeria (Lagos)
This research inventories potential land and water resources for urban agriculture in metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria, using secondary data from government agencies and primary field observations. The study found that Lagos metropolis requires 18 times its current size (3,577 km²) to sustainably feed its population. It identified 4,293 hectares of potential land and 28,890 hectares of potential water resources under federal, state, and private ownership.
EconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeImpact of Climate on Urban Agriculture: Case Study of Ilorin City, Nigeria
2011Ajadi B.S., Adeniyi Adedapo, A. M. Tunde · Global Journal of Human-Social Science · Nigeria
This paper examined the impact of climate on urban agriculture in Ilorin city, Nigeria, by collecting 10 years of climatic data (rainfall, evaporation, relative humidity, temperature, sunshine hours) and agricultural data for rice, sorghum, maize, cowpea, and yam. Using multiple regression, trend analysis, and correlation techniques, the study found that the selected climatic parameters had a weak correlation with urban agriculture during the review period.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkageDevelopment of vegetable farming: a cause of the emergence of insecticide resistance in populations of Anopheles gambiae in urban areas of Benin
2009Anges Yadouléton, Alex Asidi, Rousseau F Djouaka, B. James, Christian Agossou, Martin Akogbéto · Malaria Journal · Benin
A study in urban areas of Benin investigated the impact of rapid vegetable farming development on the emergence of insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae populations, using sociological data, bioassay tests, and biochemical analysis. The expansion of urban agriculture led to improper insecticide use for vegetable pests, exerting strong selection pressure on mosquito larval populations. This resulted in the emergence of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, with permethrin mortality rates of 76% in Parakou, 23.5% in Porto-Novo, and 17% in Cotonou.
Environmental trade-offsEconomicsHealthClimate changeDeterminants of sustainability in urban and peri-urban agriculture
2009Andreas Buerkert, Eva Schlecht, Martina Předotová, Rodrigue V.C. Diogo, Katja Kehlenbeck, Jens Gebauer · eScholarship (California Digital Library) · Sub-Saharan Africa
This study analyzed urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) systems in major Sub-Saharan African cities, measuring carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fluxes and conducting biodiversity studies. In Niamey, low-input gardens showed annual gaseous carbon emissions of 20-25 t ha-1, predominantly CO2, and high-input gardens irrigated with wastewater had annual CO2-C emissions of 27 t ha-1, with N2O as a major nitrogen loss contributor. Animal manure stored in the open was subject to large carbon and nitrogen losses, indicating environmental tradeoffs. However, UPA gardens in Niamey maintained a large variety of fruit and vegetable species, with richness increasing with garden and household size and commercialization.
Environmental trade-offsOrganic cycleBiodiversityClimate changePeri-urban agricultureEconomicsSustainability and resilience of the urban agricultural phenomenon in Africa
2008Pay Drechsel, Olufunke Cofie, Seydou Niang, Drechsel, Pay, Cofie, Olufunke, Niang, Seydou · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Africa
This record is a reference to a book chapter on the sustainability and resilience of the urban agricultural phenomenon in Africa, and it does not contain specific research content or findings.
Climate changePolicyCommunityMulti-agent modelling of climate outlooks and food security on a community garden scheme in Limpopo, South Africa
2005Sukaina Bharwani, Mike Bithell, Thomas E. Downing, Mark New, Richard Washington, Gina Ziervogel · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · South Africa (Limpopo)
The 'Climate Outlooks and Agent-Based Simulation of Adaptation in South Africa' project investigated how seasonal climate outlooks influence agricultural strategies and food security among smallholder farmers in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Empirical field data, collected through surveys and participatory approaches, informed an agent-based social simulation. This simulation modeled household agents with varying adaptation options, examining the impacts on crop yields and food security based on whether seasonal outlooks were used or ignored.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeAn Assessment Of Urban Agricultural Land Use Changes Using Geospatial Information System: A Case Study Of Jos-Bukuru
2005E. Omomoh, C. O. Adeofun · · Nigeria
This study assessed urban agricultural land use changes in Jos-Bukuru, Nigeria, between 1961 and 2002 using a geospatial information system. It found that agricultural land use substantially increased from 1961 to 1986. However, between 1986 and 2002, approximately 63% of agricultural land was lost, with about 68% of this loss attributed to urban development. The study concludes that while urban spatial expansion is increasing, agricultural land use is decreasing.
Governance failurePolicyUrban–rural linkageClimate changeImplications Of Rainwater Harvesting In ARiver Basin Management: Evidence FromThe Modder River Basin, South Africa
2005Yali E. Woyessa, Etheresia Pretorius, Pieter S. van Heerden, M. Hensley, L. van Rensburg · WIT transactions on ecology and the environment · South Africa
This field survey in the Modder River basin, South Africa, investigated the potential expansion and implications of a rainwater harvesting technique introduced to small-scale farmers. While a rapid spread within home yard sizes was expected, no significant spread to community gardens or beyond was anticipated in the short term. This limitation was attributed to socio-economic constraints, including poverty and a lack of appropriate tools and basic farming skills.
Limited or null effectDIYCommunityClimate changeCreating Livable Cities: The Need For Urban Agriculture
2002Gina E. Castillo, S. Langeveld · WIT transactions on ecology and the environment · Africa
This paper examines the contributions of civil society organizations working on urban agriculture in Africa and Latin America. It argues for the need to develop land use policies that incorporate the social, economic, and environmental benefits of urban gardens. The paper concludes that both urban agriculture and civil society organizations are essential for creating livable cities.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityClimate changeRecognizing Ethiopia's urban farmers.
1993Lee 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.
Governance failureCommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceHealthWelfareClimate changeUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureFood educationBiodiversityCompostDIYElderlyFood lossHeirloom & landraceOrganic cyclePollinatorsFood miles & supply chainCSA & TeikeiDigital agricultureTurning sunshine into water: PV water pumping in South Africa
1992Richard Gosnell Richard Gosnell · Waterlines · South Africa
This study assesses the performance of a photovoltaic (PV) pump installed at Sondela Community Garden in South Africa. The garden is a vegetable garden managed by 46 Zulu women in a semi-rural area. The research investigates whether solar-electric water pumping can provide water supplies in a region with abundant sunshine but limited water resources.
CommunityPeri-urban agricultureClimate change