Research & reports

Johannesburg urban agriculture research collective · AIMS Press Urban Ecology & Sustainability Series · South Africa

Empirical study of household and shared community gardens in Johannesburg's underserved urban neighborhoods; demonstrates food security, nutrition, income, and climate resilience benefits of citizen-led urban farming.

hawamkwela@yahoo.com MKWELA, Emiliana Assenga · Cogent Food & Agriculture · Africa

A bibliometric analysis of 504 journal publications from January 2020 to December 2024 and a content co-occurrence analysis were conducted to understand barriers to urban agriculture in Africa. Four research clusters emerged, including 'policy neglect or opposition in urban agriculture'. Content analysis revealed that vegetable production in urban agriculture is negatively affected by wastewater use, heavy metal contaminated soil, limited access to productive factors, and policy neglect or opposition.

Oshaba Patience Chizoba, Chinedu Augustine Igwenagu · Path of Science · Nigeria

A survey of 222 households and interviews in Enugu State, Nigeria, showed that urban agriculture (UA) is a critical coping strategy for food availability. However, UA perpetuates gendered inequalities as a "patriarchal bargain," where women's expanded reproductive labor does not necessarily lead to improved economic empowerment. Furthermore, UA strongly promotes bonding social capital but does not foster bridging social capital with formal institutions, thereby undermining its transformative potential.

Rogers Hansine, Christine Bonnin, Inês Raimundo, Madal Artur, Cândida Bila · Revista Tamoios · Mozambique

The SYNERGI project, implemented from March 2023 to September 2025, aimed to promote urban community involvement in co-creating Socially Inclusive Edible Urban Green Infrastructure (IVUCs) in Maputo and Xai-Xai, Mozambique. The project successfully established IVUCs in six selected schools, increasing food production and educational opportunities. The project highlights the need for better institutional frameworks to support green infrastructure development.

N. I. Odeh, I. K. Samaila, O. C. Odeh · Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science Research · Nigeria (Jos)

This study assessed urban agriculture (UA) in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria, using geospatial mapping, surveys, and yield trials. Greenhouses accounted for 76% of UA, with vegetables dominating production at 72%. Yield trials showed hydroponics increased bell pepper yield by 4.3 times and sack farming increased yam yield by 3.1 times compared to open-field cultivation. A micro-economic analysis indicated hydroponics and sack farming were financially viable, but open-field yam farming had a negative Net Present Value (NPV) of −₦101,594, confirming its financial non-viability in urban contexts.

Getaneh Bizuayehu, Kassahun Gashu, Belete Debebe · Sustainable Futures · Ethiopia

This study investigated public perception of the economic, social, and environmental roles of urban green space (UGS) development and management in Gondar City, Ethiopia, using household surveys and semi-structured questionnaires. Most participants strongly agreed that UGS provides raw materials (54.5%), creates employment (54.5%), attracts businesses (53.5%), aids food production (51.8%), and increases government revenues (51.7%). Socially, UGS was strongly agreed to improve healthy lifestyles (64.3%) and promote mental health (60.1%). Environmentally, strong agreement was found for UGS reducing climate change impacts (89%), improving urban forests (78%), and mitigating urban heat island effects (75.3%). Chi-square tests showed most demographic, socio-economic, and biophysical factors were not significantly associated with these perceived roles.

Gwamzhi Ponsah Emmanuel, Kabati Danjuma Madaki, Abadu Afinli Manasseh, Murna Joy Tikuna Dawarga, Sabaina Oluwakemi Gabriel, Pwajok David Jang · International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews · Nigeria (Jos)

This study examined the socio-economic dimensions of dry-season market gardening (fadama) in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria, through interviews with 65 farmers, site reconnaissance, and observation. The farmer population was diverse, with 63% lacking formal land ownership, and intensive year-round cultivation of temperate vegetables was observed. Ten operational constraints were identified, including pest and disease pressures reported by all respondents, land tenure insecurity, expensive fertilizer supply (20-30% of costs), and a near-total absence of formal policy recognition and extension support.

Stephanie Akeyo Nyapela, Everlyn Chitechi Wemali · East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology · Kenya (Machakos County)

A cross-sectional mixed-methods study in Machakos County, Kenya, from June to September 2024, surveyed 388 households to identify urban agriculture (UA) modes and assess household perception's influence on UA adoption. Results showed 46% of households engaged in UA, primarily home-based with cost-effective techniques, and household perceptions significantly affected UA adoption. Positive perceptions influenced the adoption of mixed crop and animal farming systems, but not animal-only practices.

Louis Lategan, Charné Erasmus · REAL CORP Repository (University of Southampton) · South Africa (Cape Town)

This qualitative study, using semi-systematic literature reviews, explored strategies targeting homelessness with urban agriculture (UA) in Cape Town, South Africa. The research found that very few published case studies link UA and homelessness in developing contexts, and information on such strategies in Cape Town remains limited despite its substantial homeless population. In the global South, UA approaches largely prioritize food security, poverty alleviation, and entrepreneurship.

Chimka Owhorkaire Emenike, Ajoku Bright Chika · Iconic Research and Engineering Journals · Nigeria

A study was conducted in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, involving 204 participants in urban sack farming. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that urban sack farming offers economic benefits such as reduced household food costs, increased profitability, job generation, and enhanced savings. It also contributes to environmental advantages like reduced pollutants, water efficiency, and soil conservation, serving as a viable livelihood strategy for urban residents, particularly in densely populated and economically disadvantaged areas.

R.M. MATHOBELA, O.C. Chikwanha, C.L.F. Katiyatiya, A.H. Molotsi, M.C. Marufu, P.E. Strydom, C. Mapiye · Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir landbouvoorligting/South African journal of agricultural extension · South Africa

A survey of 160 pig farmers in five suburbs of the Cape Metropole District, South Africa, analyzed the impact of socio-economic factors on marketing practices and challenges. Key challenges included slow pig growth rates (54% of respondents), scarcity of production inputs (25%), and difficulty finding marketing information (20%). The study found that women, older farmers, and those with less experience or education were more likely to face challenges and fail to adopt sustainable marketing practices.

S.Z Ndwalane, J.M Thamaga-Chitja, T.O Ojo · Urban Transitions · South Africa (Pietermaritzburg)

In Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, data was collected from 78 farmers to evaluate the impact of entrepreneurial risk on decision-making and income generation in urban agriculture. Results indicated that factors such as age, education, water quality, production risk, market price risk, and psychological capital significantly influenced household participation in urban agriculture and decision-making. The study concluded that farmers lacked motivation, which affected their income-generating capacity.

Ashagrie Gibtan, Wondwosen Abera, Mekuria Delelegn, Molla Maru, Adamu Teferi · Journal of Urbanism International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability · Ethiopia

A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in five urban centers of Ethiopia, involving 385 urban agriculture practitioners, to assess the socio-economic contributions and challenges of urban agriculture. The study analyzed data using descriptive statistics and a multiple linear regression model. It found that urban agriculture significantly contributes to enhancing food security and incomes for practitioners, but also revealed that finance, technologies, water, and land are hindering factors for its practice in Ethiopia.

Human Sciences Research Council · Human Science Research Council SA · South Africa

This article explores how urban women participate in urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA), the constraints they face, and the policy support they need, using evidence from a sample of farming projects around the Cape Metropolitan Area. Urban women farmers primarily access land through social networking and work collectively. Almost all projects engage in in-kind donations to schools and HIV/AIDS patients, with women-only projects distributing 25% of their output as social responsibility.

F. I. Alagbe, B. J. Adewumi, Mathew Dayomi, O. A. Ibitoye · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Nigeria (Lagos)

This study investigated the integration of biophilic design and productive green infrastructure (PGI) in mixed-use developments on Lagos Island, Nigeria, as an urban renewal strategy. Data from 303 architects, urban planners, and real estate developers revealed that while ecological regeneration opportunities exist, the area faces limitations from high density and inadequate infrastructure. Respondents showed moderate to high awareness of biophilic principles, and PGI incorporation was linked to perceived gains in social interaction, biodiversity, and economic value.

Amare Molla Dinku, Goedele Van den Broeck · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ethiopia

This qualitative study explored the technical, institutional, and commercial aspects of urban agriculture (UA) in two Ethiopian secondary towns, Dessie and Kombolcha, through 68 key informant interviews and 11 focus group discussions. It found that nearly 90% of local leafy vegetables are sourced via UA, but insecure land rights, limited policy support, and informal trading systems hinder its impact. Informal markets also cause post-harvest losses, disproportionately affecting women.

M.; id_orcid 0000-0002-0118-4484 Simataa, R.I.; id_orcid 0009-0004-4345-5467 Primus, H.; id_orcid 0000-0002-0447-5914 Romijn, Rianne Valkenburg, J.C.C.M.; id_orcid 0000-0003-1190-6417 Huijben · TU/e Research Portal · Benin

Deliverable D8.3 of the URBANE project designed a co-creation workshop methodology for agroecological business models with the University of Abomey Calavi (UAC) and Eindhoven University of Technology. This methodology was applied in a multi-actor workshop in Benin to co-design sustainable innovation System Business Models (SysBMs) for local agrifood contexts. The main outcome is a workshop design template, including instructive videos, documented in a facilitator's handbook.

Wendpouiré Léticia Nadège Nonguierma, Jean-Marie Dipama · Afrique contemporaine · Africa

A study of the "Ceinture verte" (Green Belt) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, as a nature-based response to climate adaptation. Established in 1976 and relaunched in 2018, the initiative combines forestry development with urban agriculture, aiming to contain urban sprawl, improve the local climate and strengthen the capital's resilience. The study combined a diachronic analysis of Landsat imagery from 1984-2024 with interviews of institutional actors, associative partners and direct beneficiaries. Results show significant contributions — expansion of dense vegetation in some areas, a perceived improvement in air quality, the creation of income-generating market-gardening activities, and the inclusion of vulnerable populations — but also reveal strong constraints: illegal occupations covering a significant share of the land, fragmented governance, limited access to water, security fragility, and still-limited involvement of local residents. The study discusses the feasibility of a trajectory to 2050 between an optimistic scenario conditional on structural reforms and a critical scenario underscoring current limits, and offers lessons transferable to urban adaptation policies in other Sahelian metropolises.

Meron Worku, Michelle Holdsworth, Marie T. Ruel, Ana Irache, Kaleab Baye, M Catherine Spires, Nicolas Bricas, Rebecca Pradeilles · Maternal and Child Nutrition · Africa

A Photovoice study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, had women of reproductive age photograph challenges to healthy diets for themselves and their children under five, then discussed the images in five focus groups (n=31 women) split by lower and higher socioeconomic status, analyzed with hybrid deductive-inductive thematic coding. Financial and physical barriers to accessing healthy food, time constraints and perceived poor food safety were major shared contributors to poor diets; lower-SES women also cited limited nutrition knowledge, inadequate family support and poor home food environments, while higher-SES women cited unhealthy food preferences combined with easy access to and aggressive promotion of unhealthy foods. Proposed solutions included government-level measures (job creation, nutrition education, affordable healthy food, household infrastructure investment, expanded childcare, restrictions on unhealthy-food promotion) and societal-level measures (gender equality, community-based loan schemes, and support for urban agriculture).

Lloyd Chigusiwa, Asankha Pallegedara, Terrence Kairiza · Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics · Sub-Saharan Africa

Using four pooled annual cross-sectional surveys of Zimbabwean urban households from 2019 to 2023, this analysis applied an endogenous switching model with count outcome (ESMC), with propensity score matching as a secondary robustness check, to estimate the effect of urban agriculture on household dietary diversity. Large households, and those headed by women, older heads, or married couples living together, were more likely to practice urban agriculture; practicing urban agriculture increased the likelihood of greater dietary diversity, but this effect held only for the sub-population of households that did not receive support from rural relatives.

M. M. S. Maake, C. A. Mbajiorgu, D. P. Malatji, E. L. Udeh, M. J. Mamashila, Noluyolo Nogemane, N. A. Sebola, Portia Mamothaladi Moshidi, S. Mbizeni, U. V. Ogugua, P. N. Kayoka-Kabongo, France Phiri · Discover Sustainability · South Africa

A survey of 61 participants (mostly women, aged 18-92, mean age 49) in the University of South Africa (UNISA) Community Engagement project in Katlehong township, Gauteng province, South Africa, was analyzed with SPSS descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Friedman tests. Most participants relied on government social grants and seasonal employment, and over 75% were engaged in agricultural activities (72.1% vegetable cultivation, 11.5% field crops, 9.8% poultry). Education, age and gender significantly influenced participation, and training preferences ranked animal production (layers and broilers, mean rank 2.39 and 2.55) and vegetable production (mean rank 1.36) highest.

Dominik Bittner, Joanne U Smith, Georgios Leontidis, Grant Campbell, Jeanne Biegel, Pete Smith, Matthias Kuhnert, Rastislav Skalský, Licida M. Maria Giuliani, Abdul Walid Walid Salik, Paul Hallett, D Burslem, Getahun Yakob, Wolde Mekuria, Euan Phimister, Amare Haileslassie, Desalegn Tegegne, sarem norouzi, Heyu Chen, Cecile Gubry-Rangin, Adnan Khan · Environmental Research Letters · Sub-Saharan Africa

A narrative review examines tools for assessing soil health and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for soil quality in sub-Saharan Africa, drawing primarily on examples from Ethiopia but intended for farmers and advisors across the region and other developing countries. It reviews physical, biological, chemical, functional, and service-related soil tests, noting that science-based tests require expertise, equipment, and cost, while locally-derived tests are affordable and readily applicable. NbS practices are assessed against labor, cost, and crop-production factors, and the review concludes there is no single universally applicable practice — suitability depends on farmers' priorities and circumstances. It also examines predictive methods, including mechanistic soil models, AI, and hybrid approaches combining data, physics, and knowledge such as digital soil mapping.

Otieno J.A., Omia D.O., Amwata D.A. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · East Africa (Kenya)

Evidence-based study demonstrating how vertical gardening (particularly sack farming) in Kibera's informal settlements underpins household food security. Shows how stacking soil-filled sacks vertically enables vegetable production in space-constrained environments, serving as a solution to chronic hunger.

Kanosvamhira T. · Journal of Urban Affairs · Cape Town, South Africa

While external support from nonprofits and government agencies matters for garden survival, poorly managed support can undermine local ownership and autonomy. The case study shows how governance failures threaten the sustainability of community gardens.

Ahogle et al. · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Kenya (Nairobi)

Typology of peri-urban farming in southeastern Nairobi. Analyzes production technologies: open field (24.9%), multi-storey gardens (16.4%), moist-bed gardens (11.9%). Institutional land is largest available (54.2%). Spatial and socioeconomic analysis reveals diversity and adaptability of urban-peri-urban systems.