Research & reports

Chihambakwe, 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.

M.K. Saleh, Azher Mustafa · Journal of Agricultural Extension · Nigeria (Kaduna State)

This study investigated food security and productivity among 213 urban farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria, using interviews and statistical analysis. Results showed that 54.5% of households were food insecure. A regression model predicted that the probability of urban farming households being food secure was 51%, indicating a limited effect on food security despite urban farming efforts.

Céline Veríssimo, Leo Name · · Africa

This essay by Veríssimo and Name examines community practices of edible landscaping in outdoor domestic spaces in the city of Dondo, Mozambique, framing them as a form of quiet resistance to marginalization and as a means of household-community empowerment; the authors argue these diversified spaces support food sovereignty and call on landscape architects to draw on this knowledge, which they say is typically disregarded by professional practice.

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.

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.

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.

Ophélie Robineau, Christophe‐Toussaint Soulard · Natures Sciences Sociétés · Africa

This article emphasizes the utility of the agri-urban system concept for analyzing expanding urban agriculture and the complex relationships between cities and agriculture, moving beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Based on a case study in Bobo-Dioulasso, West Africa, it aims to develop a framework for understanding these relationships at the city and regional scale. It distinguishes three groups of city-agriculture interactions: spatio-historical, interactions between the current urban system and agriculture, and interactions within the urban agrarian system, seeking to identify factors influencing the diversity and future of urban agriculture.

Jimoh Gbadamosi, Peter Kolawole · Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies · Nigeria

This paper reviews machinery and equipment developed for future farmers and encourages the adoption of urban farming as a way for city dwellers to produce more food using technology. It recognizes the activities of smallholder farmers, who are Nigeria's main food producers, and the absence of large-scale farmers who produce raw materials for factories. The paper emphasizes the role of modern technology in increasing farm product by small-scale farmers and the benefits from innovations that will enable farmers to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

C.O. Edeoghon · IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science · Nigeria (Benin Metropolis)

This study assessed the effect of urban agriculture on food security and farmers' economic empowerment in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria, by surveying 120 randomly selected urban farmers. The majority (62.6%) were male, with a mean age of 45 and an average household size of 9. Reasons for urban farming included high living costs, profitability, and household feeding. Urban agriculture provided economic empowerment for acquiring household equipment, better education, and medical services. Major constraints identified were land acquisition, capital, and transportation difficulty.

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.

C.O. Edeoghon, A.A. Idowu · Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management · Nigeria (Lagos State)

This study investigated the role of agricultural enterprises in the food security status of urban farmers in Ikorodu metropolis, Lagos State, Nigeria. A survey of 150 urban farmers, selected using a multistage technique and structured questionnaires, revealed an average food security score of 2.73, indicating food security without hunger. The relationship between food security and agricultural enterprises suggested that fruit, vegetable, and fisheries enterprises tend to move urban farmers towards food secure groups.

Fentahun Mengistu, Mulugeta Alemayehu · Ethiopian journal of agricultural sciences · Ethiopia

A 2017 study of homegardens in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia, based on interviews with 178 households across 7 sub-cities and 12 former kebeles, plus an inventory of fruit species and other higher plant and livestock species. It identified 58 higher plant species of various uses in the gardens: 17 fruit species (28.8%), 12 miscellaneous-use species (20%), 11 vegetable species (18.6%), 11 medicinal species (18.6%), and 8 spice/condiment species (13.6%); the most abundant perennial species were mango (20.8%), guava (13.4%), avocado (11.6%), papaya (11.2%), and Persian lilac (9.9%). It reports that the city gardens offer a distinctive opportunity for preserving medicinal and aromatic plants, while gardens in the outer city showed competition and substitution between horticultural crops and khat (chat).

Cristina D’Alessandro, Kobena T. Hanson, George Kararach · African Geographical Review · Southern Africa

This paper critically examined existing literature on peri-urban agriculture in Southern Africa, arguing it is a viable livelihood response to feeding urban residents. Despite its potential, the literature indicates that peri-urban agriculture does not play a major role in Southern Africa. The study concluded that a lack of political will and weak or absent policy frameworks, stemming from capacity deficits, hinder its promotion.

Eromosele George Oko-Oboh, Philip A. Adewuyi · · Nigeria

This work developed an affordable microcontroller-controlled home irrigation system for urban farmers in Nigeria, aiming to conserve water and mitigate urban poverty and food insecurity. The system, utilizing a PIC16F877A microcontroller, was designed to be cheap in procurement, maintenance, and running costs compared to conventional irrigation. Performance tests conducted in the Proteus VSM environment showed improved performance and energy savings over existing conventional irrigation systems.

Asadu 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.

Isaiah Sewanu Akoteyon, Adeyemi Davidson Aromolaran · International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development · Nigeria (Lagos)

This study evaluated peri-urban market gardening and shallow well water quality for irrigation in Lagos, Nigeria. It found that the mean values of bicarbonate, calcium, and pH in shallow wells exceeded detection levels in 66.7%, 60%, and 53.3% of samples, respectively. Salinity and sodium hazard patterns showed that approximately 66.7% of shallow wells had low salinity, 26.7% medium, and 6.7% high.

Hannah 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.

G. A. Abu, A. Soom, Abu, Godwin Anjeinu, Soom, Aondonenge · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Nigeria

This study examined factors affecting food security in 180 rural and urban farming households in Benue State, Nigeria, using structured questionnaires. It found that 53.3% of rural and 62.2% of urban households were food secure based on calorie intake. Key constraints to food security included lack of access to credit, inadequate land, poverty, soil infertility, and storage/processing problems.

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.

Firehiwot 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.

Megan 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.

Simon 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.

Sarah Oloo Masawa, George G. Wagah, Reuben Oyoo Mosi · International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences · Kenya

This 2011 study in Bondo Sub County, Kenya, assessed the integration of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPUagr) into urban planning, using a descriptive survey design with 368 households and 248 traders. A major challenge identified was the lack of supportive local policy and legal frameworks for UPUagr, and problems with its integration into broader urban development plans. The study found that UPUagr complemented rural agriculture and increased food system efficiency.

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.

Robert 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.