Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
3241 results(84 / 130)
Urban households' engagement in agriculture: implications for household food security in Ghana's medium sized cities
2017Hayford Mensah Ayerakwa · Geographical Research · Ghana
This paper descriptively analyzed the contribution of household engagement in agriculture to urban food security in Techiman and Tamale, Ghana, using household data. The study found that nearly half (43%) of urban residents participate in food production, primarily for consumption and surplus sale. For households engaged in both urban and rural agriculture, agricultural income was the highest, contributing 43% of total cash income in Techiman and 33% in Tamale.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureAssessing the sustainability of vegetable production practices in northern Ghana
2017Eileen Bogweh Nchanji, Imogen Bellwood‐Howard, Nikolaus Schareika, Takemore Chagomoka, Johannes Schlesinger, D. Rodríguez Torres Axel, Glaser Rüdiger · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ghana (Tamale)
An ethnographic study in Tamale, Northern Ghana, assessed the sustainability of urban vegetable production between 2008 and 2014. While urbanization increased cultivation of profitable vegetables like cabbage, the practice involved irrigation with grey and wastewater and high pesticide use, posing health and environmental hazards. Industrial growth reduced open space urban agriculture by 8.7%, leading farmers to use interstitial spaces and peri-urban fringes, indicating a dynamic but not yet sustainable production system.
Contamination & food safetyHealthEconomicsClimate changePolicyOrganic cycleDeterminants 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.
CommunityEconomicsWelfareRole of agricultural enterprises in food security status of urban farmers in Ikorodu Metropolis, Lagos State, Nigeria
2017C.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.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUrban–rural linkageEngaging Past and Future on a Community Supported Agriculture Farm
2017Catherine Villar · Scholarship@Western (Western University) · Canada
This ethnographic study, conducted from August 2013 to August 2014, examined Orchard Hill Farm, an organic, draft-horse powered Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in Sparta, Ontario, Canada. It found that the farm's management approach resulted in a financially viable small-scale farm. The study highlighted that CSA members experience a "re-enchantment" through closeness to food and the farm, while farmers and apprentices demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityPeri-urban agricultureEconomicsPhotovoltaic powered irrigation system applied to familiar agriculture
2017Rosa Jacob Chilundo, Paulo César Marques de Carvalho, Mário Diniz, Adriano Bezerra · Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal · Brazil
This paper analyzed the technical and financial feasibility of a stand-alone photovoltaic powered irrigation system applied to a familiar production unit in Brazil. The system was installed at the Center for Teaching and Research in Urban Agriculture (NEPAU) on the PICI campus of the Federal University of Ceará, occupying 134 m² with a 3534-liter water reservoir, a 12 VDC pump motor, and a 135 Wp photovoltaic module. Efficiencies for the photovoltaic module, pump, and global set were 8.4%, 42%, and 3.5% respectively, with an assumed service life of 25 years and capital return after 9.3 years.
Digital agricultureEconomicsClimate changeEnvironmental and Economic Perception of Urban Farming in Aba, Nigeria
2017Okoro Enyinnaya Okoro, Iwueke Nyainbau Tarinabo, Agunanna Henry Ibe, Ndulaka Chigozie Martin · International Journal of Environmental Chemistry · Nigeria (Aba)
This study investigated the economic and environmental contributions of urban farming in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery and data from 100 urban farmers. Most respondents were self-employed females aged 41-50, primarily engaged in cassava and maize farming to supplement income. The findings indicate a significant environmental contribution of urban farming in Aba.
EconomicsClimate changePolicyPARTISIPASI PELAKU URBAN FARMING DALAM MEMANFAATKAN LAHAN KOSONG
2017Praptiningsih Gamawati Adinurani · · Global
Massive urbanization without adequate human resources support will cause problems, including the provision of food. Urban farming activities by urban communities, utilizing yards or abandoned land, can address food needs. Increased knowledge and skills of urban farming practitioners can be achieved through counseling, discussion, and training in various agricultural techniques such as verticulture, hydroponics, and polybag systems. After participating in training, urban agriculture practitioners can produce vegetables and fruits for their consumption and for sale, produce seeds and fertilizer, and model various farming practices.
CommunityFood educationDIYEconomicsROLES OF COMMUNITY TOWARDS URBAN FARMING ACTIVITIES
2017Norul Hafizah Yusoff, Mohd. Ramzi Mohd. Hussain, Izawati Tukiman · PLANNING MALAYSIA · Malaysia
This paper reviews and analyzes the importance of a framework for urban farming activities within cities, describing the community's role in achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability. It evaluates the benefits and potential of urban farming in limited urban spaces, noting its contribution to improving quality of life and addressing food shortage crises. The paper concludes that the community's role is crucial for implementing urban farming activities in urbanized areas.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeEFEKTIVITAS TELEVISI SEBAGAI SUMBER INFORMASIPERTANIAN BAGI PETANI KAWASAN PERI-URBANDI KABUPATEN SLEMAN
2017Faidza Rika Chandika, Subejo Subejo, Harsoyo Harsoyo · · Indonesia
This study investigated the effectiveness of television as a source of agricultural information and its influencing factors in the peri-urban agricultural area of Sleman Regency, using descriptive, proportion, and multiple linear tests. Results showed that over 50% of farmers assessed television's effectiveness as low. Television effectiveness indicators were 50.43% for cognitive effect, 44.83% for affective effect, and 49.34% for behavioral effect. The motive for watching television most affected effectiveness, with most farmers relying on group meetings and field extension rather than television for agricultural information.
Limited or null effectPeri-urban agricultureEconomics都市農業振興基本計画
2016農林水産省, 国土交通省 · 農林水産省（都市農業振興基本法に基づく政府の基本計画・閣議決定） · Japan
The government's basic plan under the Urban Agriculture Promotion Act (2015). It places 'realising the diverse functions of urban agriculture' at the centre and sets three new policy directions: securing urban farmers, securing land for farming, and full-scale agricultural-promotion measures. It is the core plan underpinning municipalities' citizen farms, experience farms and farmland conservation nationwide.
PolicyCommunityBiodiversityFood educationEconomics植物工場に関するビジネスモデルの多様性
2016Ito H., Senoo K., Kubo E. · 研究 技術 計画 (Journal of Science Policy and Research Management) · Japan
Argues, through case analysis of Japanese plant-factory businesses, that diverse business models exist beyond running-cost reduction, including operation-related ventures, highlighting the variety of corporate monetization strategies in plant-factory agribusiness.
EconomicsGlobal Trends and Current Status of Commercial Urban Rooftop Farming
2016Buehler D., Junge R. · Sustainability 8(11):1108 · Global
Survey of commercial urban rooftop farms worldwide, classifying them into hydroponic greenhouse and soil-based open-air types, and analyzing the technologies and business realities of for-profit rooftop food production.
EconomicsSocially acceptable urban agriculture businesses
2016Specht K., Weith T., Swoboda K., Siebert R. · Agronomy for Sustainable Development 36:17 · Europe
Examines the social acceptance of commercial urban agriculture businesses, drawing on Berlin stakeholder research to identify conditions and challenges for corporate urban farms to gain societal legitimacy.
EconomicsCommunity公民連携によるコミュニティガーデンを用いた街区公園の利活用に関する研究 －東京都江東区の事例を対象として－
2016岩瀬 貴也, 小泉 秀樹, 後藤 智香子 · 都市計画論文集 51巻3号 pp.277-284 · Japan
Studying public-private community gardens in Koto Ward through interviews with the ward, developers, and participant surveys, this paper identifies their potential as models for area-contribution development burden systems in new development and challenges to sustaining activities.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsFood systems at the rural-urban interface
2016Proctor, F., Berdegué, J. · RIMISP — Latin American Center for Rural Development · Latin America
A case-based analysis of food systems at the rural-urban interface, detailing—mainly in Latin America—the interdependence of city and countryside in agricultural distribution, processing and market access.
EconomicsIncreasing food sovereignty with urban agriculture in Cuba
2016Leitgeb F., Schneider S., Vogl C.R. · Agriculture and Human Values · Cuba (Havana)
Using semi-structured interviews with 15 urban farmers in Havana, this study examines how Cuba's 2008 land reform and 2011 Lineamientos policy created conditions for food sovereignty while generating new marketing opportunities, though reducing subsidies raised consumer prices.
PolicyCommunityEconomicsFood educationRooftop production of leafy vegetables can be profitable and less contaminated than farm-grown vegetables
2016· Agronomy for Sustainable Development · China (Zhejiang)
A study evaluating leafy vegetable production on rooftops in Zhejiang, China. It reports that rooftop-grown greens can be profitable and less contaminated than conventionally farm-grown vegetables.
EconomicsHealthProfessional urban agriculture and its characteristic business models in Metropolis Ruhr, Germany
2016Pölling B., Mergenthaler M., Lorleberg W. · Land Use Policy · Germany (Ruhr)
Analyzes professional urban agriculture in Germany's Ruhr metropolis, identifying characteristic business models—'low-cost specialization', 'differentiation' and 'diversification'—and finding city-adjusted farms perform better economically.
EconomicsPolicyEconomic assessment system towards sustainable composting quality in the developing countries
2016· Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy · Global
Proposes an economic assessment framework aimed at achieving sustainable composting quality in low-cost, small-scale composting contexts in developing countries.
DIYCompostEconomicsOrganic farm volunteer tourism as social movement participation: a Polanyian political economy analysis of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) in Hawai'i
2016· Journal of Sustainable Tourism · United States (Hawai'i)
Analyzes WWOOF organic-farm volunteer tourism in Hawai'i as a form of social movement participation, using a Polanyian political economy framework.
CommunityOrganic cycleEconomicsPeri-urban agricultural development in Beijing: Varied forms, innovative practices and policy implications
2016Zhenshan Yang, Pu Hao, Weidong Liu, Jianming Cai · Habitat International · China (Beijing)
A study in peri-urban Beijing, China, investigated recent agricultural development practices to explore approaches to agricultural transformation during rapid urbanization. The investigation found that high-tech precision agriculture, downstream processing, and agro-tourism have emerged as major forms of peri-urban agriculture in Beijing. These peri-urban agricultural developments were identified as economically appealing, socially inclusive, and environmentally friendly.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsDigital agriculturePeri-urban agriculture in Southern Africa: miracle or mirage?
2016Cristina 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.
Governance failurePeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsPlanning for Peri-urban Agriculture: a geographically-specific, evidence-based approach from Sydney
2016Sarah James, Philip O’Neill · Australian Geographer · Australia (Sydney)
This study collated and analyzed existing Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and non-ABS data on Sydney agriculture between 1992 and 2011. It found that accounting for the Sydney Basin's farmlands remains opaque due to difficulties in acquiring reliable data, and existing data are often contested. The findings reveal trends in Sydney Basin agriculture that invite debate on assumptions about peri-urban agriculture, emphasizing the need for more reliable and consistent longitudinal data for future planning.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageUrban agriculture: connecting producers with consumers
2016Carolyn Dimitri, Lydia Oberholtzer, Andy Pressman · British Food Journal · United States
Based on a 2012 national survey of urban farmers in the USA (35 questions), this study analyzed the social missions of urban farms, their extent, and differences and similarities among farms with varying missions. The survey found that food production is an essential mission for all urban farms, and some also have social missions related to food security, education, and community building. Farms with explicit social missions were found to donate a higher share of food and were less likely to own farmland compared to market-oriented farms.
EconomicsCommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justice