Research & reports

Sulaiman Yusuf, Olubunmi Lawrence Balogun, Olanike Falegbe · Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade · Nigeria (Ibadan)

This study investigated the effect of urban household farming on food security status in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria, using primary data from 110 urban farming households. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke, and probit regression. Results showed that sex, years of schooling, marital status, household size, access to extension agents, hired labor, and type of farming enterprises are determinants of food security.

Salome C.R. Korir, Jacob Rotich, Pacifica Mining · · Kenya (Eldoret)

This paper investigated the contribution of Urban Agriculture to the food security of residents of Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. The study aimed to lay the foundation for future policy formulation for Urban Agriculture in Kenya.

Nkirigacha, Imungi, J. K Cheminngwa · Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences · Kenya (Nairobi)

This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the contribution of urban agriculture to food security among 260 low-income households in Mwiki Location, Nairobi County, using semi-structured questionnaires. Findings showed 24% of respondents were farmers, 80% obtained food through purchases, and 17% from own production, with 72% having enough food. Despite indicating food security, urban agriculture practice in the area remains low.

Norman Kwikiriza, Wellington Jogo, Julius Juma Okello, Haile Tesfay, Frezer Asfaw, Kennedy Otieno Pambo, Kwikiriza, Norman, Jogo, Wellington, Okello, Julius J., Tesfay, Haile, Asfaw, Frezer, Pambo, Kennedy · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Ethiopia (Tigray region)

In Ethiopia's Tigray region, a 2-year project by the International Potato Center and partners promoted vitamin A-rich Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) production and consumption. The project piloted school-based nutritional campaigns, including school gardens and feeding programs, in 11 schools. These schools served as centers for disseminating OFSP planting material and information to parents.

Naudé 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.

Brittany Kesselman · ScholarWorks -A service of University of Vermont Libraries (University of Vermont) · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This proposal outlines ongoing PhD research aimed at understanding if and how urban community gardens contribute to food sovereignty in Johannesburg, South Africa, and determining actions to enhance their contribution. The research examines the way urban community gardens contribute to six key elements of food sovereignty: access to adequate food, sustainable income/livelihoods, localization and democratization of the food system, environmental sustainability, empowerment of marginalized groups, and promotion of gender equity.

Courtney M. Gallaher, Antoinette WinklerPrins, Mary Njenga, Nancy Karanja · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Kenya (Nairobi)

This research investigated how participation in sack gardening improved the livelihoods of farmers in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The study demonstrates that urban agriculture, particularly low-space activities like sack gardening, can be a viable and important livelihood strategy for households, even in densely populated slum environments.

Abdoul-Ramane Abdoulaye, Aboudou Yacoubou Mama Aboudou Ramanou · Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection · Benin (Parakou)

This study examined urban market-gardening in Parakou, Benin, as a solution for rural farmers migrating to the city, given the city's population growth and 65% poverty rate. Using documentary research, interviews, and field observation, the study found that market-gardening areas have evolved, reducing food insecurity through consistent produce availability. It also contributes to environmental protection by draining urban areas and preserving vegetable diversity, while increasing farmers' household incomes and creating employment.

Berhe, Sophia · National Academic Digital Repository of Ethiopia · Ethiopia

A comparative study in Akaki-Kaliti Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, investigated the contributions of urban agriculture to alleviating food insecurity among 100 randomly selected poor urban households. The study found that one in two sampled households engaged in farming, earning food and cash income, which improved household food security by enhancing food availability (50%) and nutrition (50%).

Georges Courade · Recherches Internationales · Africa

This essay examines the food challenge facing an increasingly populous and urbanized Africa, worsened by land grabs for biofuels and food production destined elsewhere, climate change and speculative management of food security; it states a quarter of Africans, and more than a third of young children, remain malnourished. It argues that responses from peasant agriculture untouched by the green revolution are insufficient, but points to paths toward food sovereignty: agricultural policy favoring family farms, urban agriculture, diversified agroecological models, stock-based food policy, and peasant organizations.

O. A. Odusina, C. A. Afolami, S. Momoh · · Nigeria (Ibadan)

This study in Ibadan, Nigeria, assessed household food access and diversity across 180 households during harvest and hunger periods using structured questionnaires. Findings indicated significantly better food access during harvest (HFIAS 5.23-7.01) compared to hunger periods (HFIAS 9.75-11.77), though adequate access was maintained in both. Dietary diversity also decreased from an average of 3 food groups during harvest to 2.54 during hunger periods, a significant difference (p<0.01).

H. Allagbé, Magloire Aïtchedji, Anges Yadouléton · · Benin

This study, conducted from January to December 2013 in three major vegetable farms in southern and northern Benin, assessed the genesis and rapid expansion of urban agriculture. It found that while Christian missionaries initiated early vegetable farming, its current growth is driven by urban unemployment, rural exodus, and the search for balanced diets, increasing farmers' household income. The activity is dominated by young people (21-40 years old), with 75% being permanent gardeners, but farmers improperly used various pesticides, leading to insecticide resistance in malaria vectors.

Carol Posthumus · SABI Magazine - Tydskrif · South Africa (Cape Town)

Abalimi Bezekhaya, a community-supported agricultural organization in Cape Town, operates a network of approximately 5000 small-scale organic farmers across various areas of the Cape Flats. The organization views the city as a farm, contributing to fresh food security.

H.W. Kamwele, George Mark Onyango, George G. Wagah, Maria Nyström · Chalmers Publication Library (Chalmers University of Technology) · Kenya

This paper examines the legal and policy framework affecting urban agriculture development in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya, through a case study involving interviews with government officials and review of various acts and bylaws. It found that while national legislation allows for urban agriculture, there is no specific policy for it, and Eldoret Municipality tolerates the practice despite its illegality. The study concludes that the awareness of urban farming's importance has not translated into formal recognition in bylaws and ordinances.

P. S. Van Staden, Maléne Campbell · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study proposes a framework for utilizing vacant City of Cape Town-owned land for urban agriculture to improve low-income families' livelihoods. The new City of Cape Town zoning scheme now includes urban agriculture zoning, which town planners view optimistically as it offers income-generating opportunities. Empirical data from questionnaires with a farming community in Philippi demonstrated that urban agriculture is viable in Cape Town, even for household-only production. A usufruct agreement is proposed as the lease method for urban agriculture.

Hannah Rich, Nicole M. Ardoin · Children Youth and Environments · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study used narrative interviews to explore how teachers and school administrators in low-income schools in Cape Town, South Africa, perceive their school gardens. Interviewees emphasized that despite requiring substantial resource inputs like funding, labor, and training, school gardens offer significant benefits for students, including expanded environmental awareness, food growing skills, and understanding the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and food systems. The data ultimately converged on the primary theme of the garden's importance for greater self-sufficiency for both students and staff.

Otu W. Ibok, Idiong C. Idiong, Nsikan Edet Bassey, Ekaette S. Udoh · Agricultural Science · Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of urban food crop farming household productivity on household food security in Cross River State, Southern Nigeria. Data was collected from 217 urban food crop farmers using a two-stage sampling technique and analyzed with food security index, food insecurity/surplus gap index, head count index, productivity index, and logistic regression. Results showed that 53.5% of households were food insecure, while 46.5% were food secure. Logistic regression revealed that urban farming household productivity had a significant positive effect on household food security status.

Marike Brits · Farmlink Africa · South Africa (Cape Town)

Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) in Cape Town, South Africa, was established in response to rising crime in surrounding neighborhoods. According to Sheryl Ozinsky, one of the project's founders, the idea for the farm originated as a response to increasing crime in the vicinity.

Never Assan, Edmore Nhamo · · Sub-Saharan Africa

This discussion highlights the opportunities and needs for developing and adopting urban agriculture to enhance food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. It notes that rapid urbanization is increasing demand for crop and livestock products, leading to a growing food deficit and affecting urban food insecurity. Strategies to promote food productivity gains should focus on infrastructure, appropriate agricultural policies, new technology, and incentives for urban farmers within a fair policy environment.

Monica Mwuese Atagher, Abraham VER, Akor Apollos · IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science · Nigeria

This study assessed the contribution of urban crop production to socioeconomic development in Benue State, Nigeria, by surveying 210 urban crop farmers across three towns. Most farmers were educated, married, and used urban agriculture to supplement food and income. Regression analysis showed that farm size, fertilizer amount, and quantity of seeds were significant determinants of output and productivity.

Moira Beery, Rachel Adatia, Orsola Segantin, Chantal-Fleur Skaer · Health Education · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This paper examines the role of organic permaculture food gardens established at two schools in Johannesburg, South Africa, over one year, in addressing food insecurity and environmental sustainability. A nutrition study with 68 children found that these gardens can contribute to children's physical, mental, and emotional health, serving as a resource for teachers and learners. The study notes that practical and cultural challenges must be addressed for sustainability, and its findings, based on a one-year assessment at only two sites, may not be universally applicable.

Marike Brits · Farmlink Africa · South Africa

This short piece introduces Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) in Cape Town, South Africa. Co-founder Sheryl Ozinsky explains that the idea for the farm originated as a response to rising crime in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Otu W. Ibok · Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology · Nigeria

A study of food security determinants among 217 urban food-crop-farming households in three urban areas of Cross River State, Nigeria — Calabar, Ikom and Ugep — selected through two-stage sampling. Cross-sectional data from structured questionnaires and interviews were analyzed using a headcount index, food insecurity gap index, food surplus gap index and logistic regression. Results showed 52.5% of households were food secure and 47.5% food insecure; food-secure households exceeded the food security line by 44%, while 53% of food-insecure households fell below the poverty line. Logistic regression identified years of formal education, farming experience, farmer age, farming as the main occupation, household size, farm income and crop output as the main determinants of food security status.

Phil. Caleb Mireri · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Kenya (Kisumu)

This study surveyed 194 urban farmers in Kisumu municipality, Kenya, to assess urban agriculture's role in income, employment, and food supply. It found that most urban farmers and their employees receive very low income, with a mean monthly income of US$135 (US$0.64 per person per day), which is below the acceptable one dollar a day per person. Urban agriculture primarily supplements food requirements for the urban poor and provides income for a few commercial farmers.

Mansur Usman Dawaki, Abubakar U. Dikko, S. S. Noma, Umar Aliyu · Food and Energy Security · Nigeria

This study evaluated pollution risks to food security from urban agriculture in Kano, Nigeria, by sampling soil, water, and lettuce from two wastewater-irrigated sites (Challawa, Jakara) and a control site (Watari). Results showed all sites were contaminated with Cu, and the domestic wastewater site was slightly polluted with Pb and excessively polluted with Cd and Cr. Metal levels in irrigation waters exceeded recommended thresholds, and plants at the domestic wastewater site accumulated metal concentrations (Pb=26.21 mg/kg, Cd=1.03 mg/kg, Cr=28.63 mg/kg, Cu=2.66 mg/kg) that exceeded allowable limits in vegetables, indicating a human ingestion risk.