Research & reports

Mary Njoki Mwaura, Sabina Wangia, Japheth Ododa Origa, Lee Ernest Mbatia Oliver · Journal of Agricultural Extension · Kenya (Nairobi)

This study investigated the influence of urban extension workers' socio-economic characteristics on farmer empowerment in Nairobi County, Kenya, using data from 64 extension workers. While extension workers' characteristics positively influenced the choice of extension methods, explaining 37.2% of farmer empowerment, a significant finding was that 49.9% of extension workers were unaware of adult learning principles (ALPs). The study recommends training extension workers in ALPs and ICT techniques to improve extension methods.

Oso Adeola Abiola · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · South Africa

This review discusses vegetable production in South Africa, focusing on the impacts of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species) on small-scale farming communities. The review highlights that these nematodes are a primary pest, causing delayed crop maturity, reduced yields, poor quality produce, and escalating production costs. This leads to substantial income losses for farmers and the abandonment of community gardens, intensifying challenges for vegetable production and food security.

Muuta Ibrahim, Mohammed Haruna, U Shaibu · Asian Journal of Economics Business and Accounting · Nigeria

This study analyzed household participation in urban agriculture in Kogi State, Nigeria, using a simple random sample of 240 respondents (60 from each of four urban centers). It found that education and access to sufficient food negatively influenced participation, while dependent status, marital status, employment status, and access to land positively influenced it. Both urban farm income and non-farm income significantly affected total household income, leading to the conclusion that urban agriculture has the potential to improve urban dwellers' livelihoods.

Abraham Tessema Handalo · Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development · Ethiopia

A study using cross-sectional data from a sample of 176 households in Hossana Town, southern Ethiopia, analysing households' participation in urban agriculture and its effect on household welfare, using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and propensity score matching. Results show that participation in urban agriculture was higher among older and female-headed households and was associated with higher nonfarm earnings compared with non-participation, a difference significant at the 5% level; participating households had significantly fewer family members and significantly lower access to credit, extension services, and improved inputs than non-participants, and participation was also associated with smaller land ownership and lower access to water, both significant at 5%. The binary logistic regression indicated that access to credit, extension services, improved inputs, household size, and access to water (aside from income from other sources) significantly enhanced participation in urban agriculture, while the propensity score matching model showed a significant positive impact of urban agriculture on poverty reduction, measured via consumption expenditure per adult equivalent and per capita asset building. The study concludes that urban agriculture is constrained mainly by access to credit, extension services, improved inputs, household size, and non-farm income.

Mahteme Feleke Debela · Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development · Ethiopia

A descriptive survey with qualitative data examined the role of urban agriculture (bio-intensive gardening, backyard poultry keeping, and sheep rearing/fattening) in the livelihoods of the urban poor in Hawassa City, Ethiopia. 76% of respondents gained additional income, 51.4% used it as a food source, and 29% found employment through it. Reported challenges included lack of credit services, absence of supporting technology, shortages of feed/treatment/inputs, and poor market access and storage facilities.

N. K. Fidelis, M. K. Winnie, W. K. Joyce, K. Juliana, Kotey Ashie Daniel, M. Scholastica, Mbijjiwe Jacob Kathure Catherine · Journal of Engineering in Agriculture and the Environment · Africa

In Nairobi, Kenya, stratified random sampling, field surveys and questionnaires were used to identify existing water sources and wastewater treatment systems and their reuse status, in an investigation of the potential for eco-friendly urban and peri-urban agriculture (EcoUPA). Of the 300 respondents interviewed, only 66 (22%) reused wastewater, and only 54 of those reused it for crop production. Ninety-eight respondents (33%) wanted information on wastewater treatment systems allowing reuse, and 124 (41%) were willing to pay for a new system. The findings indicate that limited urban water sources constrain the spread of urban and peri-urban agriculture.

Ezeano Ike, Ibe E.C., Osuji C.N · Research Journal of Food and Nutrition · Nigeria

In Mgbirichi, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, this study assessed integrated urban agriculture—combining crop, livestock, and fish subsectors—as a livelihood strategy and its contribution to household income, using descriptive statistics. The large majority (98.5%) of urban farmers practicing integrated farming concentrated on crop-livestock combinations, while fish-livestock and crop-livestock-fish integration were each adopted by only 0.75% of farmers, indicating that most urban farmers did not practice the fish subsector.

Nolwazi Z. Khumalo, Melusi Sibanda · Sustainability · South Africa

This paper assessed the food security status of 208 households (109 urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) practicing, 99 non-UPA practicing) in Tongaat, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa. While a greater proportion (54%) of UPA practicing households consumed more than six food groups compared to non-UPA households (40%), a Mann-Whitney U test (U = 5292, p = 0.808) found no significant difference in dietary diversity between the two groups. Employment status, access to arable land, land tenure, and household monthly income were significantly associated with food security status.

Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira, Daniel Tevera · African Geographical Review · South Africa (Cape Town)

This paper investigated urban agriculture as a source of social capital in Mitchells Plain, a low-income neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa. Using a mixed-methods approach combining a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews, the findings showed that urban agriculture increases social interaction among urban gardeners and the community. Non-governmental organizations and government actors were also found to be crucial in enhancing social interaction within the community.

Thulasizwe Mkhabela · · Southern Africa

This chapter examines trends in large and urban agricultural markets in Africa, focusing on Southern Africa and using South Africa as an example. It notes the increasing importance of urban agriculture markets due to growing urban populations, purchasing power, and changing consumer preferences. The chapter analyzes the evolution of these markets, including the rise of alternative marketing channels like farmers' markets, and discusses the linkages between rural and urban areas in food marketing, suggesting policy interventions to enhance urban agricultural markets.

Nicole Paganini, Stefanie Lemke, Inês Raimundo · ECONOMIA AGRO-ALIMENTARE · Sub-Saharan Africa

This research explored the potential of urban agriculture in Cape Town, South Africa, and Maputo, Mozambique, through two baseline surveys among urban farmers and home gardeners, as well as qualitative in-depth interviews. Findings indicated that urban farmers and home gardeners add nutrients and diversity to their diets and can partly contribute to their income. However, in Cape Town, main challenges included access to local and external markets, fair pricing, and sovereignty in production.

Nicolette Tamara Jonkman, Boris Jansen · Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability · Sub-Saharan Africa

This literature review on urban agriculture (UA) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) identifies a significant constraint: conflicting stakeholder perceptions of UA, which hinders its development into a sustainable business. Some view UA as illegal and unsustainable, while others see it as a means to food security and employment. The review highlights a knowledge gap regarding land-use history and its effect on UA soil composition and nutrient status, proposing that UA sustainability requires understanding this historical context to build inclusive business models.

Mawuna Donald Houessou, B.G.J.S. Sonneveld, Augustin K. N. Aoudji, Fréjus THOTO, Smith A. R. Dossou, D. J. Snelder, Anselme Adégbidi, Tjard de Cock Buning · Sustainability · Benin

A study explored and compared international standards of prevailing organizations and their functioning among 261 urban gardeners in two cities in Benin. It found that a vast majority of urban gardeners are members of a cooperation. However, their membership is largely titular because gardeners mostly behave semi-autonomously, and few decisions are taken collectively. The obvious economic advantages of leveraging bargaining power, reducing transaction costs, and increasing possibilities for loans are seriously underutilized.

Hailay Aregawi Hagos · European Journal of Business and Management · Ethiopia (Dire Dawa)

This study aimed to prioritize alternative business enterprises based on their feasibility in Dire Dawa city, Ethiopia. Primary data were collected via questionnaires from 202 judgmentally selected micro and small enterprises. Descriptive analysis showed that urban agriculture, manufacturing, service, construction, and trade sectors are the top five feasible sectors, respectively, in terms of market, technical, financial, and organizational parameters. The study concludes that entrepreneurs should undertake a preliminary feasibility study before starting a business.

Zebenay Shitaye · Developing Country Studies · Ethiopia

This study investigated the role of Urban Agriculture (UA) in improving household income and dietary diversity in Bure and Finoteselam Towns, Ethiopia. A survey was conducted with 242 respondents from two Kebeles, selected based on their UA potential and existing training, and data were analyzed using SPSS. Major reasons for UA engagement included earning additional income (57.6%) and employment opportunities (18.5%). UA significantly enhanced dietary diversity for practitioners, particularly in the consumption of tuber roots, vegetables, fruits, eggs, legumes, and milk. However, constraints included inadequate extension support and training, shortages and high costs of inputs, inconvenient working places, lower product prices, transportation problems, and price manipulation by middlemen.

Erik Engel, Karin Fiege, Anja Kühn · · Africa

The UFISAMO project analyzed urban agriculture (UA) in Maputo and Cape Town. In Maputo, UA is the main income source for about 5% of the population, though it often does not cover monthly food costs, and a major challenge is the uncontrolled application of pesticides due to mono-cropping. In Cape Town's townships, UA plays a negligible role in income and food security due to small plots, sandy soils, water stress, and weak market links.

Lemi Gonfa · · Africa

This paper reviewed the role of urban agriculture in socio-economic and environmental sustainability in Africa, drawing on theoretical and empirical literature. While urban agriculture is recognized for job creation, improved diet, and environmental benefits like urban greenery and biodiversity, challenges such as difficult land access, lack of experience, financial support, training, and credit facilities, as well as low land productivity, animal grazing, and theft, were identified. These factors present potential negative externalities and hinder the development of urban agriculture.

Iwona Bisaga, Priti Parikh, Claudia Loggia · Sustainability · South Africa (Durban)

This study explores challenges and opportunities for sustainable urban farming as an integrated environmental management strategy for upgrading informal settlements in three case studies in Durban, South Africa. It demonstrates the need for municipalities to support community-driven processes for urban agriculture initiatives and sustained investment for maintenance. Policymakers are urged to create an enabling environment for academics, NGOs, and the private sector to co-develop water-efficient solutions and leverage local community structures.

Etienne Louis Nel · · South Africa

A 2019 book chapter examines community-based Local Economic Development (LED) in South Africa through three authority-based cases: Kei Road, the Independent Development Trust project, and East London. In Kei Road, a small rural service centre near Bisho in the Eastern Cape, the organization Eyethu launched a community-gardens project to promote household self-sufficiency and small-scale farming, and also runs a women's bulk-buying co-operative to reduce household costs. In 1993, Kei Road again drew attention when refugee numbers temporarily swelled due to people fleeing a faction fight in the neighboring village of Kwarini.

Lategan F. S., Crous M. L. · South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 46(2):89-106 · South Africa

Comparing urban-farming and non-farming households in Cape Town's informal settlements, this study finds 78% severely food insecure; urban farmers were slightly more food secure but differences were not statistically significant.

· Sustainability · Ethiopia

Introduces treadle pumps as a low-cost small-scale irrigation technology in eastern Ethiopia and examines their effect on farmer empowerment and innovation.

Fabrice Dossa · Agricultural Research & Technology Open Access Journal · Benin

A study in southern Benin surveyed 60 onion farmers across three municipalities (Grand-Popo, Cotonou, Sm-Kpodji) using quantitative and qualitative methods. It found onion production to be financially profitable, with performance enhanced by age, experience, and producer group membership, and improving socio-economic and food situations. However, significant constraints include financial, institutional, organizational, property, and production-related issues.

Bolanle, Oluwafisayo Wahab, Abiodun Abiodun · Ghana Journal of Geography · Nigeria

This study examined peri-urban agriculture (PUA) in Ibadan, Nigeria, by surveying 230 randomly selected farmers across six local government areas. Findings showed farmers benefited from opportunities like abundant land (47.4%) and good soil (32.2%), but faced major challenges including inadequate finance (43%), farm encroachment (15.7%), and erosion/flooding (13.5%). The study concluded that PUA opportunities in Ibadan can strengthen food security, recommending government support for finance and development control.

David Tobi Olaleye, Abiodun Elijah Obayelu, Omotoso Oluseye Ogunmola · Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce · Nigeria

This cross-sectional survey examined the influence of urban farming on household food security in Oyo State, Nigeria, using data from 159 farm households. The study found that 90.6% of the farm households were food secure. Probit Regression Model results indicated that age, household size, and economic efficiency reduced food security probability, while access to consumption credit and allocative efficiency increased it. The study concluded that urban farming significantly influences household food security.

Jane Battersby, Vanessa Watson · Figshare · Africa

Recent research in African cities indicates that urban agriculture is not as important a food source for low-income households as often believed. Most African urbanites source their food from retail outlets, suggesting that solutions to urban food insecurity need to consider urban food marketing and distribution structures, rather than solely supporting food production through urban agriculture. This chapter reviews evidence supporting the argument that urban agriculture is not a primary food source for the poor.