Research & reports

Nolwazi Z. Khumalo, Sibanda, M., Khumalo, N., Sibanda, M. · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · South Africa

A survey of 208 stratified-random-sampled households (109 farming, 99 non-farming) in Tongaat, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa. Using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), 54% of farming households consumed more than six food groups versus 40% of non-farming households. Using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), about 72% of farming households reported rarely or never worrying about food shortages, versus about 61% of non-farming households. Farming households showed better food access and dietary diversity outcomes than non-farming households.

Thandiwe Blauw · · South Africa

Against the backdrop of South Africa, where the majority of the population still lives below the poverty line twenty-three years after democratization and women and children are the most affected, this study investigated the impact of women's participation in an urban agriculture project — a vegetable garden — on poverty alleviation at the Kwasa Project in Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth. Using a qualitative approach with individual interviews conducted via an interview schedule and supplemented by secondary scholarly sources, the study investigated the challenges facing the Kwasa Project and, in its final analysis, provided recommendations aimed at resolving some of the problems identified through the interviews.

Abiodun Olusola Omotayo, Ijatuyi Enioluwa Jonathan, Olorunfemi Oluwasogo David, Agboola Peter Temitope · Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica · South Africa

A structured-questionnaire survey of urban agricultural households in Limpopo Province, South Africa, analyzed food security using descriptive and inferential statistics. Respondents were predominantly male with an average age of 46, mainly relying on public tap water, and households had an average monthly income of R2,668.75 against average monthly food spending of R1,284.75 — food costs consuming nearly half of household income. The study suggested interest-free credit for small-scale farmers to improve access to risk-management technologies.

Omondi S. O., Oluoch-Kosura W., Jirström M. · Geographical Research 55(2):231-241 · Kenya

Through Kenyan case studies, this paper examines how urban-based agriculture strengthens the livelihood strategies and food security of urban households, particularly the poor, highlighting its role within the urban food system.

Olivier D. W., Heinecken L. · Agriculture and Human Values 34(3):743-755 · South Africa

Examining NGO-run urban agriculture in Cape Town, this study finds projects aid food security while helping low-income women build supportive networks that unlock personal, social, and economic benefits beyond food provision.

Courtney M. Gallaher · CABI eBooks · Kenya

This chapter considers the effects of landscape greening, including small urban farms and sack gardening, on residents' perceptions of the environment in Kenya's Kibera slum over the last 10 years. It examines what environmental issues residents perceive as most serious, who they believe is responsible for addressing these problems, and to what extent they believe sack gardening is changing Kibera's physical and social environment.

Paulos Lukas · Journals & Books Hosting (International Knowledge Sharing Platform) · Ethiopia

This study investigated the effects of urban expansion on the livelihood of 100 dislocated farming households in Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia, using household surveys, group discussions, and interviews. The findings indicate that the implemented expansion program was not participatory, marginalized the farming community, and excluded youth and women from compensation schemes. The dislocation program was not rehabilitative and negatively affected the livelihood of the dislocated farming community.

Njenyuei Gideon Agho · Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This research investigated how urban agriculture contributes to the sustainable livelihood of Cameroonian migrant women living in the inner city of Johannesburg. Findings revealed that urban agriculture is used as a strategy for sustainable livelihood by many Cameroonian migrant women, enabling them to raise substantial income to support their families in both South Africa and Cameroon. The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining purposeful sampling, a transect walk, in-depth face-to-face interviews, and written sources.

Remi Adeyemo, Ayodeji Ogunleye, Ayodeji Damilola Kehinde, Olamide Anuoluwapo Ayodele · American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering · Nigeria (Ibadan)

This study investigated the effects of urban agriculture on poverty alleviation among 100 vegetable farmers in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria, using a multistage sampling procedure. Data analysis showed that about 30% of sampled vegetable farmers experienced poverty, with 3.4% in extreme poverty and 7.9% moderately poor. Net income, cost of labor, and household size had significant effects on farmers' poverty status. The study concluded that vegetable farming is profitable and could help reduce poverty to a minimum level.

Jan Willem Swanepoel, Van Niekerk J.A., Luc D’Haese · Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir landbouvoorligting/South African journal of agricultural extension · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study analyzed the socio-economic profile of households in the informal settlement area of the Cape Town Metropolitan area, South Africa, focusing on poverty and food security. It examined average household size (4.32 members), average age of household head (50 years), gender (more female-headed households), education (40.1% with some secondary education), ethnic group (mostly African), and income sources (mainly formal salaries). The findings indicate a need to investigate additional income sources to improve household income and food security.

Misrak Misikir Sebisibe · Journals & Books Hosting (International Knowledge Sharing Platform) · Ethiopia

This study in Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia, investigated determinants of women's participation in urban agriculture using a sample of 204 women respondents. The Tobit model found that age negatively affected participation, while dependency ratio, credit access, extension worker contact, land ownership, neighbor influence, farm experience, and improved seed access positively affected it. Descriptive analysis showed 22% of women in the study area participated in urban agriculture, with an average participation extent of 34.3%, generating average monthly incomes ranging from 557 to 3392 birr.

Sunette M. Laurie, Mieke Faber, Mamohkele M Maduna · South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition · South Africa

A cross-sectional survey of 90 primary schools (10 per province across South Africa's nine provinces) participating in the National School Nutrition Programme collected questionnaire data from 66 garden administrators, 55 garden workers, 687 educators and 2,547 learners, with an observational checklist completed for 66 gardens. Sixty-six schools (73%) had a food garden, ranging from 100 to 6,000 m² and growing a variety of vegetables but few fruits. Reported problems included lack of funds (59%), lack of tools and infrastructure (47%), lack of garden workers (53%) and lack of technical support (50%), and few gardens received external funding. In 50% of gardens crops grew for more than six months, and 30% supplied fresh produce to school meals more than twice a week; 54% of learners were involved in school gardens and 67% had food gardens at home, with 68.4% of learners and 86.4% of educators reporting they liked eating vegetables every day.

Jonathan Crush, Bruce Frayne, Cameron McCordic · Journal of food security · Africa

This study uses household survey data from Maseru, Lesotho, to assess the relationship between household engagement in urban agriculture and food security. It found no consistent, statistically significant relationship between urban agriculture practice and food security; some urban agriculture practices were associated with significantly greater odds of food security only among middle-income households in the sample. Because the observed benefits appeared conditional on household income, the study concludes that a generalized, production-centered approach to food insecurity may not be the most effective means of addressing household food insecurity in Maseru.

Amy Stambach · Cambridge Journal of Education · Africa

This paper examines students' food perspectives across three East African contexts: a university in Kigali, Rwanda; a school garden and canteen in Nairobi, Kenya; and a fast-food restaurant in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It contrasts these perspectives with the work of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in these countries. The study suggests that WFP could engage with food more complexly by building upon students' existing astute and complex food perspectives.

Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed Attia Khalil, Amr Abd El-Aal, Natacha Quintero, Hazem Aayash, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Mohamed R. Ibrahim, Kamal Marei · Procedia Environmental Sciences · Africa

This study focused on an urban upgrading project in El-Arab, an informal settlement in Hurghada, conducted by Master's students from the Urban Development department at Technische Universität Berlin Campus El-Gouna. The project proposed an integrative approach involving physical upgrading, solid waste management, and urban agriculture as three interconnected components to improve living conditions and livelihoods in El-Arab.

S. J. Ibitoye, U Shaibu, Firdaus Sale, Oroka Frank · International Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences · Nigeria (Kogi State)

This study assessed the influence of urban agriculture on household income in Kogi State, Nigeria, using data from 120 urban farmers. Urban agriculture was found to increase household income at a 90% confidence level. However, urban farmers faced significant constraints including inadequate capital (M=2.9), poor extension services (M=2.4), and high labor costs (M=2.2).

Elizabeth Vibert · Journal of Contemporary African Studies · South Africa

This article examines the Hleketani Community Garden in Limpopo Province, South Africa, highlighting the successes of women farmers in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes. Despite these benefits, the research identifies significant structural barriers, including lack of access to resources, unfavorable policy frameworks for small-scale agriculture, and worsening climate change, that hinder small-scale farmers, particularly women.

Nyasha Chaminuka, Peter Makaye · Global Journal of Human-Social Science · Africa

This paper analyzes urban agriculture in Mkoba, Gweru, as a survival strategy for residents facing food insecurity and poverty, despite opposition from city authorities. It argues that urban agriculture is a resilient practice that has become a significant feature of urban livelihoods, often increasing the burden on women. The paper suggests that city authorities are losing the contest over urban spaces and should reform legislation to accommodate urban agriculture.

C.O. Edeoghon, DU Okoedo-Okojie · Journal of applied science and environmental management · Nigeria (Lagos State)

This study assessed the information needs of 140 youths involved in urban agriculture in Epe LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria, using structured questionnaires. Most respondents (71.4% unemployed) needed information on crop production (54.3%) and perceived urban agriculture as a solace for unemployment. Major agricultural tasks included vegetable, maize, cassava, and fish production. Unemployment was attributed to laziness, lack of knowledge, and god-fatherism, and perceived information needs were significantly associated with education level and primary occupation.

Sulaiman Yusuf, Olubunmi Lawrence Balogun, Olanike Falegbe · Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade · Nigeria (Ibadan)

This study investigated the effect of urban household farming on food security status in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria, using primary data from 110 urban farming households. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke, and probit regression. Results showed that sex, years of schooling, marital status, household size, access to extension agents, hired labor, and type of farming enterprises are determinants of food security.

Salome C.R. Korir, Jacob Rotich, Pacifica Mining · · Kenya (Eldoret)

This paper investigated the contribution of Urban Agriculture to the food security of residents of Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. The study aimed to lay the foundation for future policy formulation for Urban Agriculture in Kenya.

Nkirigacha, Imungi, J. K Cheminngwa · Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences · Kenya (Nairobi)

This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the contribution of urban agriculture to food security among 260 low-income households in Mwiki Location, Nairobi County, using semi-structured questionnaires. Findings showed 24% of respondents were farmers, 80% obtained food through purchases, and 17% from own production, with 72% having enough food. Despite indicating food security, urban agriculture practice in the area remains low.

Brittany Kesselman · ScholarWorks -A service of University of Vermont Libraries (University of Vermont) · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This proposal outlines ongoing PhD research aimed at understanding if and how urban community gardens contribute to food sovereignty in Johannesburg, South Africa, and determining actions to enhance their contribution. The research examines the way urban community gardens contribute to six key elements of food sovereignty: access to adequate food, sustainable income/livelihoods, localization and democratization of the food system, environmental sustainability, empowerment of marginalized groups, and promotion of gender equity.

Courtney M. Gallaher, Antoinette WinklerPrins, Mary Njenga, Nancy Karanja · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Kenya (Nairobi)

This research investigated how participation in sack gardening improved the livelihoods of farmers in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The study demonstrates that urban agriculture, particularly low-space activities like sack gardening, can be a viable and important livelihood strategy for households, even in densely populated slum environments.

Berhe, Sophia · National Academic Digital Repository of Ethiopia · Ethiopia

A comparative study in Akaki-Kaliti Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, investigated the contributions of urban agriculture to alleviating food insecurity among 100 randomly selected poor urban households. The study found that one in two sampled households engaged in farming, earning food and cash income, which improved household food security by enhancing food availability (50%) and nutrition (50%).