Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
117 results(5 / 5)
Assessing food security status among farming households in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria.
2008BF Salahu, TO Dauda · Moor Journal of Agricultural Research · Nigeria
The food security status of farming households in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria, was assessed using 89 questionnaires. The study analyzed urban farming and food security factors (energy and protein levels). Education related to urban farming practices was found to influence the food security status of the respondents.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsUrban–rural linkageTo Subsidise My Income: Urban farming in an East-African town, by Dick Foeken
2008M. B. David · African Affairs · Kenya
This study on urban agriculture in the Kenyan town of Nakuru illustrates health and environmental problems associated with keeping livestock in urban areas, the small size of plots cultivated, and the dependence of urban households on rural sources of food. These findings were observed in the context of economic hardships occasioned by structural adjustment programmes since the 1980s.
Environmental trade-offsCommunityEconomicsHealthUrban–rural linkageUrban Agriculture in Msunduzi Municipality, South Africa
2007B. J. Njokwe, Maxwell Mudhara · · South Africa
In Msunduzi Municipality, South Africa, urban residents, particularly women and children, engage in agriculture due to poverty and high unemployment rates. This practice, often carried over from rural community gardens, helps alleviate poverty, especially for families affected by HIV/Aids who lack income.
WelfareCommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageConceptualizing Livelihood Strategies in African Cities
2007Francis Owusu · Journal of Planning Education and Research · Africa
This paper proposes the "multiple modes of livelihood" (MML) approach to understand contemporary livelihood strategies in African cities, which often involve participation in multiple economic activities across formal and informal sectors. The study presents evidence of the magnitude of this strategy and the types of activities undertaken. It suggests that the importance of urban agriculture, among other factors, indicates a need to indigenize urban planning in Africa.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceLINKING MIGRATION, HIV/AIDS AND URBAN FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA
2007Jonathan Crush, Miriam Grant, Bruce Frayne, Southern African Migration · · Africa
This literature review examines the complex interactions between migration, HIV/AIDS, and urban food security in Southern and Eastern Africa, noting that these links are poorly researched and understood. It highlights that while past research focused on urban acquisition and production, less attention has been paid to rural-urban linkages and their embedment in migration systems. Recent studies indicate that strong rural-urban connections, including increasing direct food transfers from rural to urban households, are crucial for urban households' coping strategies.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareUrban–rural linkageInformal irrigation in urban West Africa: An overview
2006Pay Drechsel, Sophie Graefe, M. Sonou, Olufunke Cofie, Drechsel, Pay, Graefe, Sophie, Sonou, Moise, Cofie, Olufunke O. · Digital Library Of The Commons Repository (Indiana University) · Africa
This report provides a state-of-the-art overview of irrigated urban agriculture in the West African sub-region. The overview is based on a comprehensive literature review supported by the results of three IWMI FAO projects.
Urban–rural linkageEconomicsAn 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 changeAn overview of strategies to improve food production and sanitation in urban areas. The cas study of Nairobi Kenya
2004Wilfred Subbo · University of Nairobi Research Archive (University of Nairobi) · Kenya (Nairobi)
This paper discusses strategies for sustainable food production in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to supplement rural food supplies and improve urban health through fresh, accessible food. It argues for discarding the attitude that food can only be produced in rural areas and explores the linkage between sanitation and urban food security. Additionally, the paper offers suggestions for mechanisms to increase food production in Nairobi.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthUrban–rural linkageUrban agriculture: international support and capacity building in Africa.
2001Camillus J. Sawio, Lori A. Spies, Djibril Doucouré · CABI Publishing eBooks · Africa
This chapter provides an overview of international efforts and initiatives to strengthen urban and periurban agriculture, with special reference to related networks in Africa.
PolicyUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceComplémentarité entre agriculture urbaine et agriculture rurale
1999Paule Moustier · Agritrop (Cirad) · Africa
Case studies conducted in Africa on urban household food supply systems evaluated the relative roles of urban and rural agriculture. These studies highlighted a strong complementarity between urban and rural sources in terms of products and periods, linking these observations to differences in production and marketing systems. To stabilize urban food supply in quantity and quality, support programs for farmers and traders should target both urban/peri-urban and rural areas in a differentiated but articulated manner.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceFeeding Africa's growing cities into the 21st century: the potential of urban agriculture
1998Tony Binns, Kenneth Lynch · Journal of International Development · Africa
This paper addresses the escalating demand for fresh foodstuffs in rapidly urbanizing Sub-Saharan Africa, where urban agriculture is a widespread activity. Based on a literature survey and empirical evidence from Kano and Dar es Salaam, it presents a framework for analyzing urban agriculture. The study proposes policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the future sustainability of urban agriculture.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomicsA City of Farmers: Informal Urban Agriculture on the Open Spaces of Nairobi, Kenya
1994P. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Donald B. Freeman · Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue canadienne des études africaines · Kenya
This study by Donald Freeman examined informal urban agriculture in Nairobi, Kenya, through on-site surveys of 618 small-scale cultivators in ten different areas. It describes urban farmers, their land use practices, and crops, and discusses the development and significance of urban agriculture within Kenya's social and economic development. The findings suggest a need to redefine urban productive activities in the Third World to include basic food production in cities.
CommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceFood Systems and the Poor in Harare Under Conditions of Structural Adjustment
1994David Drakakis‐Smith · Geografiska Annaler Series B Human Geography · Africa
This paper focused on the impact of structural adjustment programs on the urban poor in Africa, specifically examining the urban food system in Harare, Zimbabwe. In Harare, food retailing is largely structured through supermarkets, which keeps costs high for the poor. While the informal sector has expanded, it remains relatively restricted and unorganized compared to Asian cities. Consequently, urban agriculture has grown extensively in house-gardens and illegally in the urban periphery, yet there is little coordinated or positive policy response from urban authorities.
Governance failureWelfareEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageUrban agriculture in South Africa: Policy issues from the international experience
1993Christian M. Rogerson · Development Southern Africa · South Africa
This paper argues that urban agriculture is an important issue for South African policymakers, noting an increase in urban food gardening and cultivation of vacant land in South Africa's metropolitan peripheries. It reviews research on informal agriculture in Asian and African cities to offer suggestions for policy debates and research in South Africa.
PolicyUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureRecognizing 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 agricultureUrban irrigation and cooperative organisations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1993Axumite G. Egziabher · Digital Library Of The Commons Repository (Indiana University) · Ethiopia
This paper summarized the character and role of urban agriculture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the organization of producers for whom urban agriculture is the sole means of survival. While urban agriculture contributes to food provision, employment, and income for producers, cooperatives face the challenge that concerned authorities cannot grant them legal status for credit access due to their urban location.
Urban–rural linkageCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceEnterprise, Management and Organisation in Africa: a plea for research
1971Jeff Garmany · The Journal of Modern African Studies · Africa
This article argues that many African countries, in their pursuit of rapid economic development, risk misaligning their strategies and priorities concerning the rural-urban and agricultural-industrial balance. It specifically advocates for increased research attention on traditional food farming, whether for subsistence or cash, which has been neglected despite its crucial and inevitable role in supporting growing populations over the long term.
Governance failureUrban–rural linkageEconomicsPolicy