Research & reports

Abdias Rodias Paul Ngalekoua · Advanced Research in Economics and Business Strategy Journal · Africa

This study investigated the impact of urban agriculture on the empowerment of female vegetable growers in Talangaï's 6th district, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. A qualitative and quantitative survey was conducted with 105 selected households through semi-structured interviews. The findings confirmed that vegetable growing acts as a vector for empowerment and improves producers' living conditions, contributing to poverty and unemployment reduction, and positively impacting their social and economic spheres.

Sayeh Kassaw Agegnehu, Reinfried Mansberger, Moges Wubet Shita, Derjew Fentie Nurie, Ayelech Kidie Mengesha · Land · Ethiopia

This study in the East Gojjam Administrative Zone, Ethiopia, examined factors affecting land rental transactions using data from 353 household heads affected by expropriation. 58% of respondents participated in both renting and renting out land. 60% of female-headed households engaged in land rental transactions (14% renting in, 46% renting out), while 38% of male-headed households rented land (19% renting out). Sex, landholding size, number of oxen, participation in off-farm activities, and extension service were identified as significant determinants. Oral agreements and sharecropping were the most prevalent transaction methods.

Abraham Woru Borku, Abera Uncha Utallo, Thomas Toma Tora · Discover Food · Ethiopia

A mixed-methods study in selected towns in Southern Ethiopia surveyed 310 households to identify determinants of urban household vulnerability to food insecurity. The results indicated that 41.3% of households were highly vulnerable, 48.3% moderately vulnerable, and 10.6% not vulnerable. Significant determinants included household ownership of houses, health status, urban agriculture, socio-cultural practices, asset ownership, age, and average monthly income.

Mamush Masha, Elias Bojago, Innocent Ngare · Discover Sustainability · Ethiopia

This study investigated the factors influencing the adoption of urban agriculture (UA) as climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and its impact on food security in Wolaita Sodo City, South Ethiopia. Data from 384 randomly selected urban households showed that 53.53% adopted UA, with significant differences between adopters and non-adopters in employment, UA attitudes, and household size. A logistic regression model identified family size, home ownership, household head's occupation, UA perceptions, market demand, and access to training as determinants of adoption. Propensity score matching confirmed that UA adoption significantly improved food security by 0.685-fold.

MATHEWOS ANSHISO · National Academic Digital Repository of Ethiopia · Ethiopia

A study was conducted in Hosanna Town, Central Ethiopia Region, to assess urban-rural land linkages (URLLs) and the livelihood of peri-urban farming communities. This cross-sectional study used quantitative data from household questionnaires and qualitative data from key informant interviews. The results showed strong urban-rural land linkages in Hosanna Town, with peri-urban farming communities engaged in crop production and livestock rearing. However, these communities face challenges including land degradation, water scarcity, and market access.

Tayech Lemma, Mala Sharma · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ethiopia

A survey of 272 women in Hossana town, Ethiopia, using a multivariate probit model, identified food security and economic reasons as primary motivations for participating in urban agriculture. Factors such as age, education, marital status, family size, employment, non-urban farm income, farm experience, garden size, credit access, market access, and improved input use significantly influenced participation likelihood.

Sylvia Leith-Ross · · Nigeria

This text describes Owerri Town, Nigeria, as a native community in a transition stage, simultaneously urban and agricultural. The author initially chose Owerri for convenience but later recognized its unique character compared to other towns like Aba. The town maintained contact with the outside world and government, while retaining its own distinct life. The author observed the town's life at various times throughout the year.

Arcadius Martinien Agassin Ahogle, Sammy Letema · Water International · Kenya (Nairobi)

This article examines the dynamics of irrigated urban agriculture (IUA) and its socio-technical arrangements in the Nairobi catchment, Kenya. The research identified five principal forms of IUA, differentiated by land size, water sources, technicality, actors, and market orientation. A critical finding is that city services do not provide hydraulic infrastructure or agricultural extension for IUA, and state agencies do not account for IUA practices, indicating a lack of governance support.

Mekonen Getachew Abebe · Journal of Agriculture and Food Research · Ethiopia

This review examined empirical evidence on the impacts of urbanization on food security in Ethiopia. The review showed that urbanization compromises all dimensions of food security through reductions in arable land and its productivity, waste dumping, biodiversity depletion, and water and soil pollution. Rapid urbanization leads to reduced production and higher food prices, resulting in a very high prevalence of food insecurity in Ethiopian urban areas. The review noted that Ethiopia has not implemented solutions like urban agriculture to its full potential.

Epsar Philip Kopteer, Olakunle Rufus Oladosu, Samuel Adeyemi Samson, Jasini Ali Alwadood, Olaide Monsur Aderoju, Bose Adetutu Ogwurike, Michael Nnaemeka Ihenacho, James Adah John, Philip Okoh Amodu, Nkechinyere Gift Nwagwu, Chikodili Evans Ezurike, Kamila Abba Tukur, Augustine Abah Odeh, Sumaiyat Abdullahi Kpanja, Halimat Ifedolapo Oriola, Vivian Ibrahim, Udya Aniya, Elizabeth Rizga Jackson, Kikelomo Oluwabukola Adebo · World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews · Nigeria (Jos)

This study investigated the economic impact of urban flooding on agricultural activities along the Dilimi River in Jos North LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria, using a 2021 satellite image and GIS analysis. The study found that loss of farmland, hunger and starvation, loss of properties, and high incidence of poverty were perceived as serious economic impacts of floods on farmers. Agricultural land use covered 2.82% of the study area.

Robert Massimo Alfonsi, Merle Naidoo, Alexandros Gasparatos · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · South Africa

This study examined ICT adoption and desirable characteristics among 85 urban small-scale food producers in disadvantaged areas of Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, using in-person surveys. Respondents expressed a need for food-related mobile applications facilitating price comparisons, best practice sharing, and health advice, prioritizing user-friendliness, low data use, and affordability. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, such as marital status, number of children, income, education, and land holdings, significantly influenced desired app functionalities and activities.

Leonard Ninsheka, Edward Ssemakula, Christopher Ewaechabo Tiyo, Rebecca Kalibwani, Ronald Kityo, Wilson Mugizi, Willbroad Byamukama · East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology · Sub-Saharan Africa

This review paper examines existing literature on the effects of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of urban farmers in Sub-Saharan African cities, specifically focusing on Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria. The review found scanty information regarding how urban agriculture affects farmers' socio-economic status, how farmers derive social and economic status from it, and the types and motivations of farmers. It concludes that understanding crucial factors for food security, income, and related benefits in urban agriculture is essential for policy and technology development.

Stefania Lovo, Samantha Rawlings · The World Bank Economic Review · Ghana, Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of e-waste dumping sites on neonatal and infant mortality, focusing on two major dumpsites in Ghana and Nigeria. Using a difference-in-differences approach, outcomes were compared for children born near and far from dumpsites before and after their creation. E-waste sites increased neonatal and and infant mortality for those living closer to the sites, with event studies suggesting effects emerge two to three years after site openings. There is suggestive evidence that contamination of water and of urban farming produce are among the drivers of the observed effects.

Gebregziabher Nigus, Mengistu Ketema, Jema Haji, Million Sileshi · Discover Food · Ethiopia

A study was conducted in Eastern Ethiopia using primary data from 270 randomly selected urban farmers to identify factors influencing urban agriculture (UA) market participation decisions and intensity. The first stage of the Double Hurdle (DH) Model indicated that age, education, occupation, family size, farming experience, UA-related training, dependency ratio, and market information significantly impacted the decision to participate in the UA output market. The second stage DH Model showed that education, land size, UA-related training, and market information significantly affected the intensity of UA output market participation.

Jean de Dieu Minengu, Aiko Ikonso Mwengi, Romain Kawanga, Simon Mwengi, Oscar Mangunda Yama · Revue Africaine d’Environnement et d’Agriculture · Africa

Market gardening in Kinshasa's urban and peri-urban areas faces multiple constraints, including land insecurity, low natural soil fertility, the incidence of diseases and pests, weak technical support, climate hazards, poor input supply, and problematic marketing systems. These constraints limit yields in production sites and hinder the development of market gardening activities.

Aristophane Djeufack Dongmo, Désiré Avom · Politics &amp Policy · Africa

This article examined the impact of urbanization and civil conflicts on food insecurity severity across 43 African countries from 2000 to 2020 using heterogeneous choice models. Findings revealed that both urbanization and civil conflict increase food insecurity, with a one-unit increase in urban growth rate raising the probability of high-risk food insecurity by over 0.6 times. The study recommends developing urban agriculture and controlling urbanization to mitigate food insecurity.

Gaspard Ntabakirabose, Maniriho Festus, Tuyisenge Jean Claude, Harold Ogwal, David Mwehia Mburu · International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy · Africa

A study of smallholder vegetable- and fruit-growing households in Kigali City and Musanze District, Rwanda (Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge and Musanze districts), used multistage purposive sampling on a population of 1,085 households, surveying 112 respondents. Of 14 factors examined, 10 positively influenced urban farming production and 4 influenced it negatively. Crops were grown in bags, baskets, hanging baskets, old tires, pallet gardens, open ground, trellises and window-box fences, doing well even in small plots enclosed within household compounds. Urban farming contributed to malnutrition control, household savings and food security, but was constrained by small plot sizes, limited farming knowledge and technology, crop maturation time, lack of capital, low awareness, housing arrangements and inadequate infrastructure.

Takele Taye Desta · Veterinary Medicine and Science · Ethiopia

Based on in-depth interviews with seven key informants in the cities of Adama and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a study evaluates the significance of urban goat production, one component of urban agriculture, and ways to lessen its adverse impacts. Goats can thrive in limited urban open spaces, scavenge leftovers from homes and open markets, and browse on open public land; incorporated into urban agriculture, they can contribute to a circular economy, thrive on a limited supply of water and feed, and require less care and space. Goat farming is used to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change, and goats' active nature makes them better at avoiding traffic accidents; they can also be used to control bush encroachment. Urban goat farming improves land use efficiency and food security, and goats can be used for children's play and urban ecotourism. However, goats can harm urban green spaces, so goat production must be zoned to avoid this. The study concludes that urban goat farming could add a new dimension to urban food security, but that more empirical evidence needs to be generated to support its adoption.

Olalekan Tolulope B. Aduloju, Olumuyiwa Bayo Akinbamijo, Abdullateef Iyanda Bako, Abdulfatai Olanrewaju Anofi, Kolade Victor Otokiti · Local Environment · Nigeria

This study analyzed the practice of urban agriculture (UA) in open spaces within the Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria, combining primary and secondary data collected through questionnaires, an interview guide, digital cameras, a UA survey form, and GPS. Main findings showed that 14.34 hectares of land (31.4% of it in the city core) was dedicated to UA in Ilorin, an area estimated as capable of helping at least 1,500 families escape poverty. Average Nearest Neighbour Analysis (ANNA) revealed that UA sites were clustered rather than randomly distributed. Mean analysis showed the dominant food staples grown at Ilorin UA sites were vegetables (3.09), maize (2.86), cassava (2.64), millet/sorghum (2.46), and yam (2.31). Access to land, failed harvests from pests and disease, price collapse, and adverse weather events were identified as the leading challenges affecting UA practice. The study calls for city-level integration recognizing the rights of the urban poor and of UA within Ilorin's land-use plan.

P.N. Ndlovu, Joyce Chitja, Temitope O. Ojo · Cogent Food & Agriculture · South Africa

This study surveyed 156 smallholder urban vegetable farmers in the Sobantu and Mphophomeni township areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using a structured questionnaire and multi-stage sampling, and analyzed drivers of market participation and its level using descriptive statistics and a double-hurdle model. Of the 156 farmers, 127 were market participants and 29 were non-participants. A logistic model found market participation decisions were significantly influenced by credit use (p = 0.004), free inputs (p = 0.096), access to market information (p = 0.001), access to labour (p = 0.014), and smartphone ownership (p = 0.083). A fractional response model found the level of market participation was significantly influenced by age (p = 0.093), cooperative membership (p = 0.002), road condition (p = 0.001), storage (p = 0.016), and distance to input markets (p = 0.069).

Matthijs T. Wessels, Lisa‐Marie Hemerijckx · Development Southern Africa · Sub-Saharan Africa

More than 700 surveys with food vendors and consumers, combined with ethnographic research with farmers, quantified and mapped the contribution of urban and peri-urban producers to fresh leafy vegetable supply in the growing city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Seventy percent of all amaranth consumed in the city was found to be produced within it, with an average farm-to-fork distance of 11 km, indicating a strongly localised foodshed for leafy vegetables. The results point to the ongoing significance of urban areas in meeting their own food demand and the need to explicitly integrate food provisioning into the planning of growing African cities.

Zwelakhe Thulasizwe Mascot Maseko · Journal of Asian and African Studies · South Africa

In Esikhaleni Township, South Africa, structured interviews with local farmers and in-depth interviews with officials from uMhlathuze Municipality examined why residents use urban open spaces for subsistence agriculture and how it affects their livelihoods. Food insecurity, demand for accessible fresh produce, interest in farming, and rising food costs were identified as the main drivers, and open-space agriculture was found to contribute to livelihoods through improved access to fresh food, reduced food expenditure and supplementary income from produce sales, leading to a recommendation that urban planning set aside land for agriculture.

Charlie M. Shackleton, Peta Brom, Nanamhla Gwedla, Abraham R. Matamanda, Mallika Sardeshpande, Sopna Kumar-Nair · Cities · South Africa

Using South Africa as a case example, the study scored six types of urban green infrastructure (UGI) — amenity spaces, blue infrastructure, natural/semi-natural lands, urban parks, urban agriculture and verges — against five dimensions of poverty alleviation: cash or non-cash income, skills development and learning, physical and mental health, reduced vulnerability and risk, and participation in decision-making, rating current and future potential alongside the degree of change required. Urban agriculture was scored as having the highest current potential to contribute to poverty alleviation and verges the lowest, while parks and amenity spaces offered the greatest returns per effort and verges were identified as key sites for pro-poor intervention due to their wide distribution. Overall, the study concluded that greater investment and changes in the attitudes of authorities would have a bigger impact on poverty alleviation across all UGI types than changes to policy and procedure.

Chernet Assefa, Addisu Getahun, Endale Mekonnen · Middle East Research Journal of Economics and Management · Ethiopia

A participatory demonstration conducted in three districts of the Akaki Kaliti sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 2021/22 production year, in which a total of 61 farming households (47 male-headed, 14 female-headed) benefited, covering 14 hectares of bread wheat and 30 hectares of teff. The demonstrated technologies produced an average grain yield of 56.66 quintals/hectare for bread wheat and 22.16 quintals/hectare for teff, both higher than the national average. The study concludes that boosting agricultural production requires stakeholder attention to disseminating and adopting improved crop varieties with full production packages, using cluster farming to reduce poverty and ensure food security.

Namenge Philip Tendet, George Alliwa Makalliwa, Daniel Nyamongo Sagwe · The Pan African Medical Journal · Kenya (Nairobi)

A survey of 328 urban farmers in Kasarani sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya (85.42% response rate) plus five agricultural extension officers and five chiefs. The strongest constraints on urban farming were flooding (mean 3.66), lack of rain (3.52) and pests and diseases (3.49), followed by poor yields and soil erosion. Institutional barriers were also reported: harassment by city authorities, insecure land rights and restricted access to plots. Respondents were 65.55% male, 63.41% married and 41.46% casual labourers, with 63.11% earning USD 40–80 a month — indicating that urban farming here is concentrated among low-income households facing both climate stress and weak institutional support. Limitations: not all urban farmers could be interviewed, and comparison outside the study sub-county was restricted.