Research & reports

Abdul Rahim Mohammed Sabtiu, Isaac Kwame Sraku, Christopher Mfum Owusu-Asenso, Yaw Akuamoah-Boateng, Richard Tettey Doe, Emmanuel Nana Boadu, Judith Dzifa Azumah, Nana Aba Setorwu Eyeson, Anisa Abdulai, Godfred Amoateng, Simon Kwaku Attah, Fred Aboagye-Antwi, Yaw Asare Afrane · BMC Infectious Diseases · Ghana (Accra)

A 2025 entomological study in Accra, Ghana, that sampled mosquitoes at ten sites grouped into five categories — irrigated urban farming (IUF), low, middle and high socioeconomic status, and peri-urban — to compare vector distribution, biting behaviour and infectivity. Human landing catches and Prokopack aspiration collected 41,747 mosquitoes in total; 48.63% (10,466/21,520) of Anopheles gambiae s.l. came from the irrigated urban farming sites, far above peri-urban (18.06%), high (16.42%), middle (13.74%) and low (3.15%) socioeconomic sites. Indoor-caught An. gambiae s.l. had a higher sporozoite infection rate (4.56%, 16/351) than outdoor (3.78%, 9/238; χ² = 6.78, P = 0.009), and Tuba, an irrigated site, had the highest rate at 6.41% (10/156). The authors conclude that irrigated urban agriculture drives urban malaria transmission in Accra and that indoor control plus management of immature vector habitats in farming areas is needed — evidence of a public-health trade-off in which irrigated growing creates vector habitat alongside its food and livelihood benefits.

Chimwemwe Chiutula, Andrew G. Mtewa, Amon Abraham, Richard Lizwe Steven Mvula, Alfred Maluwa, Fasil Ejigu Eregno, John Njalam'mano · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Malawi (Blantyre)

At the Soche Wastewater Treatment Plant in Blantyre, Malawi (built in the 1950s, current design flow 4,100 m³/day), whose effluent irrigates nearby gardens, researchers measured heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in effluent, soil and six vegetables (three exotic Brassica varieties plus indigenous pumpkin, sweet-potato and amaranth leaves). Soil zinc reached 56.4 ± 0.5 mg/kg against a WHO limit of 36 mg/kg; vegetable stems reached 4.65 mg/kg chromium (limit 2.3) and 4.09 mg/kg lead (limit 0.3), and leaves 0.31 mg/kg cadmium (limit 0.2). Health risk indices peaked at 92.28, far above the safe threshold of 1. Limitations: sampling at a single time point (November) with no seasonal variation, and total-element rather than speciation analysis.

Gerald Quarcoo, Samuel Armoo, Augustina Angelina Sylverken, Matthew Glover Addo · PLOS ONE · Ghana

A study of 179 urban vegetable farmers in Accra (n=125) and Tamale (n=54), Ghana, with stool samples from 168 of them. Tamale recorded 0% soil-transmitted helminth infection, while Accra recorded Ascaris lumbricoides 5.1%, Ancylostoma duodenale 2.5% and Strongyloides stercoralis 0.8%. Not using personal protective equipment was strongly associated with infection (odds ratio 4.3, 95% CI 1.03–18.00, p=0.04); PPE use was 72% in Tamale versus 41% in Accra. The results indicate that occupational health risk in urban farming varies sharply by site and working practice. Limitations include farmers declining to give samples for superstitious reasons and the near-absence of prior studies on this population.

Gabson Baguma, Gadson Bamanya, Hannington Twinomuhwezi, Allan Gonzaga, Timothy Omara, Patrick Onen, Simon Ocakacon, Christopher Angiro, Wilber Waibale, Ronald Ntuwa · Journal of Xenobiotics · Uganda (Kampala)

In the Luzira Industrial Area of Kampala's Nakawa Division, Uganda — a park hosting metal fabrication, pharmaceuticals, brewing and plastics — researchers sampled 20 composite soils and 20 yam tubers from five sites (four under industrial influence, one control) in March 2024 and measured copper, cadmium, chromium, zinc and lead. Soils held 137.30–162.30 mg/kg zinc, 39.50–54.53 mg/kg lead and 28.70–42.13 mg/kg copper. Tubers held less (zinc 6.68–33.1, lead 0.023–0.291, cadmium 0.013–0.116 mg/kg), yet hazard indices for children exceeded the safe threshold at every industrial site (HI = 1.14–2.06) and total cancer risk of 1.27 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.83 × 10⁻⁴ exceeded EPA limits, with cadmium and chromium the main drivers. Limitations: standard EPA exposure parameters rather than population-specific data, and no metal speciation.

Kipelo A., Atibu E., Sivalingam P., Poté J. · Environmental Challenges · Democratic Republic of the Congo

The study sampled domestic and irrigation water at Kinshasa's main gardening sites and measured faecal indicator bacteria alongside toxic metal concentrations — addressing head-on the sanitary risk sitting under the city's market gardening, in the water that irrigates its vegetables. The publisher does not make the abstract openly available, so only the study's scope is recorded here.

Panțiru I., Ronaldson A., Sima N., Dregan A., Sima R. · Systematic Reviews (Springer), 13:45 · Global

An umbrella review and meta-analysis comparing prior reviews of diverse gardening interventions, including home, allotment, community, and therapeutic gardening. Synthesizing 40 studies, it finds a significant positive effect of gardening and horticultural therapy on well-being, quality of life, and health status.

Ezzeddin N., Kalantari N., Abdollahi M., Amiri P., Amini B., Zayeri F. · BMC Public Health 24:118 · Iran

Cross-sectional study of rural Iranian women in a homestead food production program. Nutritional knowledge and decision-making empowerment positively predicted dietary diversity, while household food insecurity predicted it negatively.

Chari F., Ngcamu B.S. · Local Environment · Zimbabwe (Bulawayo)

This survey-based study of community garden farmers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe assessed the effectiveness of community gardens in promoting social inclusion for vulnerable urban residents, finding that garden participation enhanced social networks, food security, and livelihoods among marginalized groups.

· Health Education Journal · Global

A study of the long-term effects of a school-based experiential nutrition education intervention that incorporates hands-on experiences such as farm visits and cooking workshops.

· Discover Environment · Global (review)

A review documenting that urban roadside vegetables accumulate heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, arguing that health risks justify exclusion zones for cultivation away from high-traffic roads.

Faurat A., Azhayev G., Shupshibayev K., Akhmetov K., Boribay E., Abylkhassanov T. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Kazakhstan (Pavlodar)

In the industrial city of Pavlodar, heavy metals migrated from snow into soil and crops in urban and rural gardens, and the study assessed cancer and non-cancer health risks from eating the potatoes and tomatoes grown there.

Emilia C. Zamora-Moncayo, Bernarda Herrera, June Larrieta, Aimée DuBois, Georgina Miguel Esponda · Qualitative Health Research · Ecuador

A participatory case study of Huertomanías, an urban garden initiative founded in Ecuador in 2015 that provides work, income and social inclusion to people with severe mental health problems. Twelve participants took part in cognitive mapping, a photovoice project and interviews. Thematic analysis identified four domains of impact within the garden — autonomy (financial and personal), interpersonal and environmental relations, mental health, and family dynamics — plus external factors (family support, public policy and healthcare services) that shape recovery. The context is that employment access for this group is largely disregarded in Ecuadorian policy planning because of labour-market discrimination. As a qualitative study with 12 participants, it does not measure symptom change or job retention.

Xiaofan Tian, Ruifang Zhang, Zifan Wang, Xinna Kang, Zhixin Yang · Agriculture · Global

This systematic review analyzed Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) literature from 1999 to 2023 to identify research themes and trends, corroborating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. The review found a geographical expansion of CSA research from North America to Asia and Africa, and a societal shift from basic sustenance to a deeper understanding of nutrition and diet. Recent research emphasizes "environment" and "health and education," aligning with higher-level needs in Maslow's theory.

Karen Haas, Sharon P. Simson, Nancy C. Stevenson · · Global

Horticulture is a leisure pursuit for hundreds of thousands of older adults who enjoy tending flower and vegetable gardens or indoor plant collections. For an increasing number of older adults, gardening is an essential therapeutic activity that helps in maintaining health, aids in rehabilitation from chronic diseases and impairments, or slows the effects of dementia.

Wegayehu Fitawek · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · Global

This paper discusses the causal relationship between food security and education, noting that food insecurity in early childhood leads to malnutrition and poor cognitive development. Education contributes to food security through school gardens, feeding, and nutrition education. The impact of food insecurity on education is measured by school enrollment, attendance, academic performance, and child health and development.

Prajal Pradhan, Daya Raj Subedi, Kshitij Dahal, Yuanchao Hu, Prakriti Gurung, Sijal Pokharel, Sagar Kafle, Biplav Khatri, Sudeeksha Basyal, Monika Gurung, Aruna Joshi · Cell Reports Sustainability · Global

This systematic analysis of 1,450 urban agriculture publications examined its impacts on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It found urban agriculture is linked to all SDGs, with 142 targets showing positive sentiments and 136 showing negative sentiments, with positive sentiments roughly double the negative. The study concludes that urban agriculture does not inherently contribute to sustainability, as its impacts depend on specific practices and require tackling identified hurdles.

Kamal Prasad Acharya, Kalpana Gyawali, Indra Raj Upadhyaya · Interdisciplinary Research in Education · Nepal

This article explores the contribution of garden-based activities to developing 21st-century skills in public schools in Nepal. Using participatory action research in three intervention schools, the study found that school gardening, involving flower and vegetable cultivation, enhances critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Students also viewed gardening as a valuable learning platform that encourages creative thinking, environmental sustainability, and lifelong learning competence.

Laura S. Tuominen, Heikki Helanterä, Patrik Karell, Lauri Rapeli, Timo Vuorisalo, Jon E. Brommer · npj Urban Sustainability · Finland (Turku)

This before-after study in Turku, Finland, examined the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban box gardening from 2019 to 2021. While box gardening's importance for resilience increased and gardeners remained motivated, participants reported receiving fewer benefits from gardening during the pandemic. This suggests a negative influence of the pandemic on well-being, extending to urban gardening outcomes.

Beata Sirowy, Deni Ruggeri · ˜The œGeojournal library · Global

This chapter reflects on urban agriculture practices in public spaces, emphasizing their unique role in the individual and communal well-being of city dwellers. It concludes with a brief reflection on the future trajectories for urban agriculture practices in compact cities.

Cecil C. Konijnendijk · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · Global

This chapter examines the diverse uses of urban green spaces, encompassing recreation, biodiversity conservation, public health, and regulatory ecosystem services, with food production also re-emerging. Changing urban populations, including cultural diversity and ageing, have altered demands and uses. The study identifies a critical need to manage potential conflicts and trade-offs among these varied demands, despite many uses being able to coexist.

Elizângela dos Santos Oliveira Magerski, Felipe Fontana, Irene Yukiko Kimura · Seven Editora eBooks · Global

This qualitative research investigated the pedagogical potential of an educational product for constructing a sustainable vegetable garden with 5th-year elementary school students. Structured with a Science, Technology, and Society (STS) approach, the product aimed to develop students' understanding of science, technology, and their societal and environmental implications. Data from a field diary revealed that school garden activities, supported by an STS approach, foster students' critical thinking about food and healthy processes related to human health.

Magdalena Biernacka · · Global

Ensuring equal access to attractive green spaces for all urban residents, including vulnerable groups, is crucial due to pandemics, climate change, and lifestyle diseases. Both formal and informal green spaces provide ecosystem services, and smaller green infrastructure can be effective in compact city centers.

Somayeh Gholami, Shahpar Geravandi, Farahnaz Rostami · Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment · Iran

This quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of green gardens on the mental well-being of elderly individuals in eldercare facilities in Kermanshah city, western Iran. Eighty participants were purposively sampled and divided into an experimental group (n=40) and a control group (n=40). Using pre-test/post-test measures with the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, the experimental group showed statistically significant reductions in cognitive (p < .01), arousal (p < .01), and somatic (p < .01) anxiety after green garden initiatives, while the control group showed no significant changes.

Nurul Raihana Ramzi, Che Bon Ahmad, Helmi Hamzah, Noriah Othman · Built Environment Journal · Global

This systematic review, analyzing SCOPUS articles from 2010 to 2022, explored the relationship between urban farming and horticultural therapy in reducing urban stress. It found that horticultural therapy incorporating urban farming elements was linked to multiple therapeutic interactions, with nature-based elements serving as a potential source of significant positive outcomes. The review emphasizes the value of connecting horticultural therapy with urban farming and proposes a conceptual framework illustrating their constructive interaction for improving mental and physical health.

Nedžada Zahirović, Sabina Trakić, Pavle Krstić, Lejla Biber · Radovi Šumarskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Sarajevu · Bosnia and Herzegovina (Kakanj)

This project aims to develop a conceptual plan for adapting the existing flat roofs of three towers (S-1, S-2, S-3) built in the 1980s in the Municipality of Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, into green roofs. This plan seeks to strengthen and expand urban agriculture, bringing ecological, social, and economic benefits, and promoting a healthier lifestyle through daily contact with greenery.