Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
235 results(6 / 10)
A Review Mapping the Use of Food Sovereignty
2018Chihambakwe, Michelle, Mafongoya, Paramu, L., Jiri, Obert · University of Zimbabwe Institutional Repository (University of Zimbabwe) · Africa
This review examines the application of food sovereignty principles in urban and peri-urban agriculture in Zimbabwe. It notes that despite urban households integrating these practices into their livelihoods, institutional arrangements governing them remain ambivalent. The review concludes that the failure to involve all stakeholders undermines urban and peri-urban agriculture, leading to increased food insecurity and unsustainable practices.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkagePolicyCommunityBeyond food security: women's experiences of urban agriculture in Cape Town
2017Olivier 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.
CommunityWelfareEconomicsRegreening Kibera: how urban agriculture changed the physical and social environment of a large slum in Kenya.
2017Courtney 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.
CommunityWelfareClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban agriculture for sustainable livelihood : a case study of migrants' women in Johannesburg
2017Njenyuei 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.
CommunityWelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Agriculture (UA) and Its Effects on Poverty Alleviation: A Case Study of Vegetable Farming in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria
2017Remi 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.
EconomicsWelfareCommunityThe socio-economic profile of urban farming and non-farming households in the informal settlement area of the Cape Town Metropole in South Africa
2017Jan 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.
EconomicsWelfareCommunityApplication of Agricultural Extension Principles to Information Dissemination among Extension Workers in Delta State, Nigeria: Implications for Urban Agriculture
2017D. U. Okoedo-Okojie, C.O. Edeoghon · Journals & Books Hosting (International Knowledge Sharing Platform) · Nigeria
This study in Delta State, Nigeria, surveyed 120 extension workers from two research institutes. It found that only farm visits were regularly used for information dissemination, and extension principles focused on farmer needs and problem-solving were commonly practiced. Age, education, and rank significantly influenced the frequency of applying these principles.
Food educationCommunityPolicyDeterminants of Level of Women Participation in Urban Agriculture: The Case of Wolaita Sodo Town, Southern Region of Ethiopia
2017Misrak 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.
CommunityEconomicsWelfareFood, aid, and education in East Africa: repackaging the conversation
2016Amy 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.
Food educationWelfareCommunityImproving Living Conditions in Informal Settlements The Case of El-Arab, Hurghada
2016Ahmed 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.
CommunityWelfareEconomicsLegal Literacy as a Strategy for Economic Empowerment: A Case of the Implementation of By Laws on Urban Agriculture by Kadoma Municipality, Zimbabwe
2016Kennedy K. Mwangi · IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science · Africa
This paper explores how legal information dissemination impacts socio-economic rights in informal settlements, focusing on urban agriculture rights in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. It investigates residents' knowledge of their urban agriculture rights and their information needs, as well as communication structures between the municipal council and residents. The research aims to provide legal information to enable residents to engage with available services.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityUrban crop production in southeast Nigeria: Potentials and constraints
2016Asadu Anthonia, Enwelu Innocent, Ifejika Philip, Igbokwe Edwin · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Nigeria
A survey and interviews with 210 urban farmers in southeast Nigeria explored the benefits and constraints of urban farming. Farmers reported benefits such as food and income sources, but also faced significant constraints including land insecurity, lack of access to credit, theft, and crop destruction by stray animals. The study concludes that urban farming needs to be legalized and integrated into urban policy to realize its full potential.
Governance failureCommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Agriculture and Community Economic Development of Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria.
2016Albert Ayorinde Abegunde, Daniel Oluwasola Olaleye · · Nigeria (Lagos)
This study identified vacant land used for urban agriculture in Lagos, Nigeria, and assessed the socio-economic characteristics of 78 farmers in the Ojo Local Government Area. It examined the contributions of urban agriculture to community economic development. Findings showed that most farmers were married males aged 21-50, with about half lacking formal education and earning N6,000-8,999 per month.
CommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood for Thought: Perceptions of Food Access and Heathful Eating in The Masxha Community
2016Hannah Richason · School for International Training Digital Collections (School for International Training) · South Africa
This study explored perceptions of food access and healthful eating in the Masxha community, Cato Manor Township, through 10 interviews. The interviews focused on food habits, healthy food perceptions, buying habits, and food access, aiming to understand the experience of food insecurity. The findings indicated that very few participants appeared to be experiencing or at risk of food insecurity. The study concluded that more research is needed on urban food insecurity in South Africa and the effectiveness of community gardens in improving nutrition and food access.
HealthCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceAssessment of the Influence of Urban Agriculture on Household Income. Evidence from Kogi State, Nigeria
2016S. 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).
Economic viabilityEconomicsWelfareCommunityEfforts of watershed sustainability and usage among peri-urban agricultural farmers of Kwadon, NE Nigeria
2016Muhammad Bello Ibrahim, Nobaya Ahmad, Asnarul Khadi Abu Samah, M.S.M. Redzuan · Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository (Universiti Putra Malaysia) · Nigeria
A quantitative study surveyed 217 peri-urban agricultural farmers in Kwadon, Gombe, NE Nigeria, from a population of 500, to assess their efforts in watershed sustainability and usage. Descriptive statistics indicated that the majority of these farmers are moderately sustaining the Kwadon watershed through their farming practices. The study focused on water sources, water sharing, and watershed management.
Peri-urban agricultureClimate changeCommunityGender, resilience and resistance: South Africa’s Hleketani Community Garden
2016Elizabeth 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.
Equity & displacementCommunityWelfareHealthPolicyClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceAn Interpretive Framework for Assessing and Monitoring the Sustainability of School Gardens
2016Francesco Sottile, Fiorito Daniela, Nadia Tecco, Vincenzo Girgenti, Cristiana Peano · Sustainability · Kenya
This study aimed to propose an interpretive framework, the "Sustainable Agri-Food Evaluation Methodology-Garden" (SAEMETH-G), to quantitatively guide the sustainability evaluation of school gardens. As a case study, the methodology was applied to 15 school gardens located in three regions of Kenya. The application of SAEMETH-G as an assessment tool demonstrated that sustainability evaluations of school gardens can be carried out through a participatory and interdisciplinary approach.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeThe contribution of urban agriculture to food security of individual urban farmers in Yeka Sub City, Addis Ababa
2015Firehiwot Mezgabu, Degefa Tolossa · Ethiopian journal of development research · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
A 2015 study in Yeka Sub City, Addis Ababa, assessed the contribution of urban agriculture to the food security of 86 households. Findings showed that 74.4% of the households were food-secure, while 24.4% and 1.2% were mildly and severely food-insecure, respectively. Urban agriculture contributed to one-third of household income and played a significant role in improving food security and income, but lack of farmland and water were identified as major challenges.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityGrowing Food and Community: An Exploration of Local Food Initiatives in Cape Town, South Africa
2015Megan Bradley · Syracuse University Libraries (Syracuse University) · South Africa (Cape Town)
A study on local food initiatives in Cape Town, South Africa, explored their role in sustainable community development, focusing on food sovereignty, community capacity, and social capital. Through in-depth interviews, conversations with participants, and observations of community gardens and markets, findings suggested that these initiatives empower community development, both economically and socially, through principles of food sovereignty, social capital, and education.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsFood educationFood gardening in Lavender Hill, Cape Town: using adoption rates to estimate the perceived benefit
2015Simon Hazell, Victoria Delbridge, Beatrice Conradie · UR UCT Undergraduate Research · South Africa
A study in Lavender Hill, Cape Town, South Africa, interviewed 50 participants in the Mothers Unite programme to assess the benefits and constraints of homestead-based urban agriculture. Despite the potential for food gardening to alleviate food insecurity and free up 11% of household income, two-thirds of the group had not tried it. Barriers to adoption included lack of space and limited cash flow, with respondents showing little concern for water or compost costs.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityTotal factor productivity of urban agriculture on the urban periphery of Cape Town
2015Martin Dyer, Richard M. Mills, Beatrice Conradie, Jenifer Piesse · Open University of Cape Town (University of Cape Town) · South Africa (Cape Town)
This paper investigates the efficiency relationships between inputs and outputs of urban micro-farms in two Cape Town townships, Nyanga and Khayelitsha. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) applied to 33 producers supplying a social enterprise box scheme revealed an average overall efficiency of 72.4%. Overall efficiency was negatively correlated with land holdings and the use of compost and seedlings, indicating efficiency losses with greater input quantities. Furthermore, it was not shown that mulching or operator experience increases profitability.
Economic viabilityEconomicsCommunityPeri-urban agricultureInformation Needs of Youths involved in Urban Agriculture as Strategy for Checking Unemployment in Epe Lga of Lagos State, Nigeria
2015C.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.
WelfareFood educationEconomicsCommunity“I Know How to Handle My Husband”: Intra-household Decision-Making and Urban Food Production in Kenya
2015Robert Romborah Simiyu · Eastern Africa social science research review · Kenya (Eldoret)
This paper examines gender roles in urban gardening decision-making in Eldoret, Kenya, based on a survey of 160 households and 24 interviews. While men generally held more decision-making power, women leveraged social spaces and gender roles to secure significant influence in urban gardening. Women typically initiated gardening, preferred subsistence crops, and controlled consumption, whereas men's roles were more prominent in income-oriented gardening and sales decisions.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban farmers and urban agriculture in Johannesburg: Responding to the food resilience strategy
2015Naudé Malan · Agrekon · South Africa (Johannesburg)
This article examines urban farmers' perspectives on Johannesburg's urban agriculture policy, part of its "food resilience" strategy, using participatory and social science research methods. Through facilitated workshops, farmers identified key themes for organizational development and urban agriculture, including Land and Water, External Stakeholders, Training, Tools and Technology, Marketing, Organizational Development, Permaculture, and Security. The findings provide crucial insights for policy implementation in Johannesburg.
PolicyCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomics