Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2531 results(48 / 102)
Gardening for Food Well-Being in the COVID-19 Era
2021Esteve Gaelle Giraud, Sara El-Sayed, Adenike Opejin · Sustainability · United States (Arizona)
This paper examines the potential of sustainable gardening to enhance Food Well-Being (FWB). It uses three studies of sustainable food gardeners in Arizona, USA, including children and teachers in school gardens, sustainable gardeners and farmers, and gardeners during the pandemic. Results indicate a connection between sustainable gardening and eudemonic well-being, impacting five FWB dimensions (physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social). However, the paper notes that without appropriate policies, funding, and infrastructure, the impact might remain minimal, volatile, and subject to tokenism.
HealthWelfareFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityMedia frames on urban greening in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
2021Mi Sun Park, Seongmin Shin, Haeun Lee · Forest Policy and Economics · Democratic People's Republic of Korea
This research examined urban greening policies in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by applying media content analysis to articles on urban green spaces published in the Rodong Shinmun newspaper from 1959 to 2018. The analysis, using an ecosystem service approach, identified three media frames: diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational. Findings revealed edible trees highlighted as provisioning services, disaster control and environmental protection as regulating/supporting services, and recreation/landscape as cultural services, with frames also proposing strategic planning and encouraging public participation.
PolicyCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFeeding Cities Through Urban and Peri-Urban Aquaculture
2021Dilip Kumar, Sukham Munilkumar · · Global
This article discusses Urban and Peri-urban Aquaculture (UPA) as a means to address urban food security, given the projected increase in urban populations. It states that urban households involved in UPA are generally more food secure, and UPA increases the availability of fresh, healthy, and affordable food. UPA also contributes to income and employment, particularly for women and migrants, and offers opportunities to use urban organic wastes, wastewater, and collected rainwater productively.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsASPECTOS DAS PRÁTICAS DE AGRICULTURA URBANA EM CATALÃO-GO
2021Cláudio José Bertazzo, Guilherme Papini da Silva, Gabriela Ferreira de Souza · Para Onde!? · Brazil (Catalão)
A theoretical and practical study, including field visits and surveys, was conducted to understand urban agriculture (AU) practices in Catalão, Goiás, Brazil. The study aimed to identify AU's particularities and quantify what, how, and for what purpose produce was grown. Findings indicated that AU is a reality, widespread in the territory, and has the potential to provide access to safe and nutritious food for citizens with yards or small cultivation spaces.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsEXPLORING THE RECYCLING OF MANURE FROM URBAN LIVESTOCK FARMS: A CASE STUDY IN ETHIOPIA
2021Solomon Tulu Tadesse, O. Oenema, Christy van Beek, Fikre Lemessa Ocho · Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering · Ethiopia
This study in Jimma, Ethiopia, from 2015-2050, used an N mass flow model and field experiments to explore manure recycling from urban livestock farms under four scenarios. It found that livestock manures are the main organic wastes in urban areas, and manure production in urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is projected to increase 3 to 10 times. Critically, only 13% to 38% of manure nitrogen will be recycled in croplands, and intensification of urban livestock production greatly increased nitrogen surpluses, indicating a significant environmental tradeoff.
Environmental trade-offsOrganic cyclePeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceCompostScience's Role in Stimulating West Bengal's Agricultural Performance
2021M. S. Swaminathan · · India
This study examines the agricultural situation in West Bengal, noting that livestock ownership is more egalitarian than land ownership and that the region has abundant fish ponds. It emphasizes the importance of adopting integrated pest management procedures to prevent pesticide pollution in fish cultivation water. The abstract also states that socially underprivileged communities gaining access to agricultural and homestead land through land reforms is a significant step in eliminating poverty.
PolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceCultivating the city for ecosocialism
2021Salvatore Engel‐Di Mauro, George M. Martin · · Global
This chapter examines urban cultivation across diverse global contexts, finding that global South cities often experience declining food production due to displacement by financiers and landowners. It notes that urban cultivation is frequently associated with unacknowledged pollution problems, and its overall ecological impacts are not necessarily positive. Furthermore, urban food production, with the exception of Cuba, does little to reduce social inequality and can sometimes exacerbate it.
Environmental trade-offsFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyClimate changeOpportunities and Challenges of Peri-Urban Agriculture on the Fringes of the Metropolis of Rabat, Morocco
2021Fatiha Hakimi, Mohamed Brech · International journal of food science and agriculture · Morocco
This study assessed peri-urban agriculture practices, roles, and challenges in Rabat Metropolis, Morocco, by surveying 50 respondents using purposive and stratified random sampling. Major practices included horticulture, crop farming, and livestock rearing. Peri-urban agriculture contributes to economic development by generating income, creating employment, supplying food, and enhancing land use and environmental beautification. However, it faces legal constraints, such as a lack of regulating laws and housing taxes, and technical constraints, including insufficient workforce, high labor costs, difficult access to irrigation water, and lack of training and support.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityResearch on the Application of Productive Agricultural Landscape in Urban Residential Area
2021Hongqiang Chen · OALib · Global
This paper summarizes the concept of productive agricultural landscape and analyzes the feasibility and advantages of its design in urban residential areas. Productive agricultural landscape integrates agricultural products and activities as design elements, addressing urban residents' needs to participate in planting, enjoy organic food, and build harmonious neighborhood relationships. This promotes the localization of urban food production and plays an important role in the sustainable development of cities.
CommunityDIYFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageUrban and peri-urban agriculture in the global food security conundrum
2021Innocent Awasom · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global
Urban and peri-urban agriculture is considered a creative method of food production to address increasing urbanization and food insecurity. Urban food gardens are noted to have the potential to mitigate hunger and food insecurity, offering health, socio-cultural, environmental, and economic benefits.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeHealthEconomicsPendampingan Studi Lapang Agribisnis Urban Farming bagi Masyarkat Kota dengan Pelaku Bisnis Hydroponic di Kota Banda Aceh
2021Teuku Fadhla, Mutia Ismail · · Indonesia
This program aimed to assist the Tunggai Hamlet community in Banda Aceh City, Indonesia, to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation in hydroponic urban farming and marketing. The program sought to increase the entrepreneurial mindset of Tunggai Hamlet youth, enhance innovation capabilities in hydroponic and marketing businesses, and produce agribusiness products via healthy hydroponic systems for commercial use.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceLa Educación Virtual STEM en la nueva normalidad
2021Paulo Germán García Murillo, Laura Belkis Parada Romero, Julio Ernesto Rojas Mesa, Bernardo Garibello Suan · · Colombia (Bogotá)
A research project on urban agriculture was implemented for fifth-grade primary students and their families at El Carmelo school in Teusaquillo locality, Bogotá D.C., Colombia. The project aimed to raise awareness about STEAM competencies (environmental, technological, pedagogical, and artistic), designing two experimental practices for home development using bean seeds. The project led to important reflections on educational work regarding STEAM competencies for strengthening the relationship between sustainability, technology, learning, and arts, addressing specific issues such as food security, nutritional culture, prototyping culture, and strengthening scientific citizenship.
Food educationFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityThe Changing character of the city-food nexus
2021Salvatore Engel‐Di Mauro, George Martin · · Global
This chapter examines the global relationship between food growing and capitalism over 500 years, identifying three profit-seeking formats: mercantilism, industrialism, and global financialization. It argues that capitalism has led to a de-industrialization of cities and a commodification of agricultural products by corporate megafarms, contributing to green gentrification in urban redevelopment. This has incited a food resistance trend, leading to the emergence of community gardens and farms.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUrban–rural linkageCommunityRooftop garden an organic farming to grow uncontaminated vegetable improved food quality and food security in Bhubaneswar City, India
2021K. C. Sahu, M. K. Satapathy · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development · India
This paper discusses rooftop gardens as an alternative for vegetable production in Bhubaneswar City, India. While rooftop agriculture can improve ecosystem services and enhance urban biodiversity, vegetable production activities on rooftops are limited due to multiple challenges that need to be addressed for widespread implementation. Rooftops are not a total solution for food security but can supplement other urban food sources.
Limited or null effectDIYFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityClimate changePolitical consumerism and food activism
2021Jasmine Lorenzini · · Global
This chapter discusses political consumerism and market-based activism, defining the latter to include political consumerism, food collectives like community-supported agriculture, and lifestyle activism such as veganism. It then examines different conceptions of social change in relation to these modes of action. Finally, the chapter presents transformative actions within the environmental movement, highlighting how political consumerism and food activism embody varied understandings and ideals of democracy.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityMessages from International Horticultural Conferences and Symposia in the New Millennium
2021K.R.M. Swamy, Prem Nath · · Global
This paper discusses important messages emerging from several international horticultural conferences and workshops held in the new millennium. Messages from these conferences, conducted over the last decade in India and other countries, were extracted under headings such as the status of horticulture in the food world, education, research, extension, production, development, policy, and technical cooperation among developing countries.
Peri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justicePENGEMBANGAN PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN JENIS DAN PENGELOLAANNYA (REVIEW ARTIKEL)
2021Haryuni Haryuni, Sapto Priyadi, Suswadi Suswadi, Mrih Rahayu, Achmad Fatchul Aziez · PROSIDING SEMINAR NASIONAL DIES NATALIS 41 UTP SURAKARTA · Global
This article reviews types and management of urban farming, concluding that vertical farming is widely adopted due to its adaptability to limited urban land. Plant management typically involves planned and regular practices, utilizing household waste for fertilization and pest control. Common plant disturbances are caused by insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
DIYCommunityOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceAlternative = transformative? Investigating drivers of transformation in alternative food networks in Germany
2021Felix Zoll, Kathrin Specht, Rosemarie Siebert · Sociologia Ruralis · Germany
To investigate drivers of transformation in alternative food networks (AFNs) in Germany, interviews were conducted with producers and consumers in three AFN models: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), food co-operatives, and self-harvest gardens, followed by qualitative content analysis. Participants in CSA and food co-ops reported a strong reconnection between producers and consumers, indicating transformative potential, while self-harvest gardeners primarily sought individual capacity building and access to their own garden. AFN participation was suggested to foster incremental transformation towards more sustainable food practices and a respective value system.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePracticing Urban Agriculture Is the Most Appreciate Means to Fight Against Famine, Depression, Anxiety and Spread of Coronavirus
2021Chanie Derso Misganaw · Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries · Ethiopia
This review paper highlights the current lack of urban agriculture practice in Ethiopian towns and emphasizes its significance. Urban agriculture contributes to food self-sufficiency, social goodness, economic profitability, and environmental health, and is stated as the most appreciated means to improve livelihoods, generate income, create job opportunities, and fight against famine, depression, anxiety, and the spread of coronavirus. The paper discusses the types, principles, and prospects of urban agriculture based on updated information.
HealthEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeUrban food growing and social sustainability
2021Salvatore Engel‐Di Mauro, George Martin · · Global
Claims that urban food production raises food security and creates a more just society are questionable and contradicted by data from the Global North. Urban land is insufficient, sunlight is often inadequate, and soil pollution is widespread. Technological attempts like vertical and rooftop farming have limited feasibility, may worsen environmental and social problems, and do not address major food sources, access, or waste. Furthermore, urban gardens are increasingly linked with socially devastating gentrification.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyClimate changePractices and Barriers to Sustainable Urban Agriculture: A Case Study of Louisville, Kentucky
2021Leigh Whittinghill, Sait Sarr · Urban Science · United States (Louisville, Kentucky)
A survey of 40 urban farmers and gardeners in Louisville, Kentucky, assessed their agricultural practices and barriers. Most growers engaged in urban agriculture for non-commercial reasons, with only 11% operating for profit, and smaller farms were less likely to be profitable or certified. Common sustainable practices included composting (60%) and crop rotation (54%), while challenges involved limited space, farm certification access, pests, and lack of record-keeping.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceSocial aspect of urban agriculture with examples from Croatia
2021Ana Poštek, Ivica Kisić, Marija Cerjak, Luka Brezinščak · Journal of Central European Agriculture · Croatia
This paper analyzes various social aspects of urban agriculture and presents examples from Croatia where social benefits are the primary purpose. Urban agriculture can have social effects such as fostering activism, gender equality, social cohesion and inclusion, education, and cultural heritage preservation. However, policymakers struggle to implement urban agriculture within city planning.
Governance failureCommunityFood educationPolicyFood sovereignty & justicePersepsi Masyarakat terhadap Penerapan Teknologi Hidroponik dalam Mendukung Ekonomi Masyarakat Mandiri di Kota Tarakan Kalimantan Utara
2021Nurlela Machmuddin, Ahmad Mubarak, Rayhana Jafar, Jufriadi Jufriadi · Jurnal Ilmiah Membangun Desa dan Pertanian · Indonesia (Tarakan)
This study, conducted in Tarakan City, Indonesia, from April to June 2021, analyzed public perception of hydroponic technology for independent household food procurement. Respondents, with an average age of 30 and high school education, showed a heightened perception (81.11%) of hydroponics. The highest perceived benefits included healthier plants, maintained quality, easy and practical maintenance, and a high selling price compared to conventional methods.
EconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceDIYGrassroots Sustainability in a Concrete Landscape
2021Christina Ergas · · United States
This chapter explores urban ecovillages in the United States, highlighting challenges faced by ecovillagers in a neoliberal context. It examines cultural conflicts between sustainability and consumer culture, and points out the exclusive, upper-class, white nature of the local food movement in the US. Monetary and time constraints have made local organic food an elite phenomenon, often cited as a first step to gentrification in urban communities.
Equity & displacementCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeHealthUrban agriculture to enhance a city from a sustainability point of view
2021S Priyadharshina, V. Sumitra Devi, Sheeba Chander · · Global
This paper explores urban agriculture as a solution to the increasing urban population's reliance on rural areas for food. It defines urban agriculture as developing, processing, and distributing food in or around metropolitan areas, including various practices like animal cultivation and agroforestry. The paper suggests that urban agriculture can enable cities to implement sustainable practices, reduce carbon footprints, and foster self-sustainability.
CommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomics