Development Of Urban Agriculture Research Articles

Impact of Irrigation Water on the Bacteriological Quality of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in the Market Garden Zone of Niamey, Identification of Enterobacteria

The urban community of Niamey is characterized by a prodigious development of urban and peri-urban agriculture. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the main crops grown in these urban and peri-urban areas. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of irrigation water on the bacteriological quality of lettuce produced in the market gardening zone of the Niamey city. Three (3) market garden sites were studied (Harobanda (site 1), Gamkallé (site 2) and Gounti yéna (site 3). Eighteen (18) lettuce samples and twenty-nine (29) irrigation water samples were taken from the market garden sites and subjected to microbiological analysis using conventional methods appropriate to each indicator. Thus, five (5) indicators of contamiantion were searched, Total Mesophilic Aerobic Flora (TMAF), total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), enterobacteria (Ent), Faecal streptococci (FS), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium perfringens (CP). The results showed that irrigation water samples from site 1 were highly contaminated with Total Coliforms (TC) and Faecal Coliforms (FC) (3.65±7.88.106 and 1.41±3.04. 106 CFU/100ml respectively), those from site 2 by Faecal Streptococci (FS) (1.19±2.03.105 CFU/100ml) and from site 3 by Enterobacteria (Ent) (1.61±2.37.108 CFU/100ml) and Escherichia coli (8.22±11.86.105 CFU/100ml). Thus, lettuce samples from site 1 are more contaminated with TC (5.32±8.32.106 CFU/g) and Ent (3.10±0.95.107 CFU/g). Faecal coliforms (1.35±1.13.106 CFU/g) and faecal streptococci (5.30±8.21.105 CFU/g) predominate on the site2 and finally site3 is more contaminated with E. coli (2.43±0.38.105 CFU/g). However, enterobacteria species such as Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter sakazakii, Escherichia coli1, Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp ozaenae, Pantoea spp 1, Proteus mirabilis, Raoultella terrigena, Salmonella enterica arizonae, Salmonella spp, Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia marcescens and Serratia odorifera1 were identified in irrigation water samples and lettuce at these sites. In fact, the quality of the irrigation water is not suitable for irrigation, and strongly influences the contamination of the lettuce produced by the bacteria. Consumption of this lettuce without the minimum of precautions could prove dangerous to consumers.

Analysis of the spatiotemporal velocity of annual precipitation based on random field

. Changes in precipitation directly impact river runoff volume, subsequently influencing food production, and the security of downstream urban areas. In this study, we introduce a random velocity field (RVF) capable of performing multi-step predictions while providing interpretable insights into precipitation variations. The RVF leverages the gradient of a Gaussian random field to learn spatiotemporal velocity patterns and employs a predictive process to reduce dimensionality and enable multi-step forecasting. Bayesian parameter estimation is obtained using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. Our analysis reveals a noticeable shifting trend in annual precipitation based on diverse real datasets. This trend serves as a valuable foundation for further exploration of urban flood control and agricultural development strategies.

Effects of Urban Agriculture on the Socio-Economic Status of Farmers in Cities of Sub-Sahara Africa. A case of Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria: A Review

This paper reviews the current literature concerning the effect of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of urban farmers in Sub-Sahara African Cities. The main objective of this review is to examine the impacts of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of urban farmers in Sub-Sahara African Cities. Specifically, the paper reviews the impact of urban agriculture on income and food security as well as the benefits and challenges affecting urban Agriculture development in selected cities of sub-Saharan African countries. This paper reviews different articles and papers on urban farming in Sub-Sahara Africa and globally. The review posits that there is scanty information on how urban agriculture affects farmers' socio-economic status in sub-Saharan Africa. How farmers derive their social and economic status by engaging in urban agriculture, and the types and motivations of farmers are not clear. The review suggests that understanding the factors that are crucial for food security, income and related benefits in urban agriculture is essential to developing the right technologies and policies

Failure Process of High-Loess-Filled-Slopes (HLFSs) during Precipitation under Different Mitigation Measures

The problems of gully and soil erosion caused by large-scale urban construction and agricultural development in China have become more and more serious in recent years. In an effort to solve this problem, a series of gully stabilization and highland protection projects have been carried out on the Loess Plateau, and this has resulted in a large number of high-loess-filled-slopes (HLFSs). Although these filled slopes uses several different mitigation measures, the HLFSs have been eroded and destroyed under the action of water. In order to study the influence of different mitigation measures on the stability of HLFSs and their failure process, this paper uses a flume test of the effects of various mitigation measures on this failure process. The results show that: (1) the failure processes of slopes with different mitigation measures are obviously different. Slope deformation u with a declining gradient mitigation mainly occurs on the surface of the slope body, and although slope erosion is quite serious, the slope does not fail as a whole. Slopes with a stepwise drainage channel mitigation show little erosion, but material can easily slide along the horizontal drainage channels. (2) The slope deformation process is correlated with changes in pore-water pressure. When local instability occurs, there is always a pre-process of continuously rising pore-water pressure. When a failure occurs, the pore-water pressure of the soil at each position of the slope body suddenly fluctuates under instantaneous excitation. (3) The response of soil pore pressure and the development characteristics of tension cracks affect the deformation of the slopes, which is also the cause of the differences slope instability caused by different mitigation measures. These research results provide reference for the protection of HLFS engineering projects from heavy rains.

Harnessing cultural heritage knowledge for sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung

Investigating the role of cultural heritage in the development of sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung, focusing on how heritage knowledge and practices can be integrated in efforts to improve food security and environmental sustainability in the city. The methodology used is a literature review to explore the complex relationship between cultural heritage and sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung. The results of this exploration indicate that the fusion of cultural heritage and sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung offers numerous advantages, including economic growth, food security, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. However, challenges related to urbanization, changing consumer preferences, infrastructure, and climate change need to be addressed to realize the full potential of this approach. The implication of this approach is the development of a resilient and sustainable urban agriculture system in Bandung. By preserving and promoting cultural heritage, the city can enhance food security, stimulate economic growth, and safeguard its unique cultural heritage for future generations. The novelty of this article lies in its comprehensive integration of cultural heritage with modern sustainable agriculture practices to address contemporary urban challenges. It emphasizes the importance of harnessing the wisdom of the past to cultivate a sustainable future for Bandung.

Urban Agricultural Territories as Components of the Architectural Landscape of Ho Chi Minh City

Currently, urban agriculture (UA) is considered as one of the strategic factors of the integrated sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City, but the urban land fund for agricultural purposes in this city is insignificant. Since 2005, the concept of a continuous Productive urban landscape (CPL- Continuous Productive Urban Landscape) has been proposed, which can be used for the development of urban agriculture. The article mentions the possibility of applying CPUL as an important direction for territorial development in Ho Chi Minh City, in which the sizes of urban green landscapes used for urban agriculture can be increased. The article presents the main components of these landscapes in Ho Chi Minh City.

State of the art: “social and solidarity economy as a driver of sustainability

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the current state of convergence between Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and sustainability, covering the period from 2009 to 2023. SSE, with its principles of cooperation, equity, and citizen participation, is considered a key tool for addressing inequality and promoting decent employment, while sustainability focuses on improving living conditions without compromising the future. The article argues that SSE promotes sustainable economic practices aligned with the 2030 Agenda. The proposed methodology combines heuristic and hermeneutic approaches, allowing for a thorough and up-to-date review of the literature on SSE and sustainability. The application of SSE in various regions is illustrated through case studies that encompass areas such as urban agriculture, circular economy, recycling cooperatives, and socioeconomic development projects. Overall, it is emphasized that the combination of SSE and sustainability offers a promising approach to addressing socio-environmental challenges, highlighting cooperation, inclusion, and the pursuit of a sustainable and equitable future.

Stunting Allevation in Kalibaru Subdistrict, North Jakarta trough the Implementation of Integrated Urban Farming and Rainwater Harvesting System

Stunting remains a serious public health problem in urban areas. A contributing factor to the high prevalence of stunting in the region is the limited availability of clean water and nutrient-rich foods. In addition, this sub-district is at risk of experiencing a clean water crisis in the future. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the integration of rainwater harvesting (RWH) and urban farming to overcome stunting, access to clean water, and food supply in Kalibaru District, North Jakarta. The method used is a social experiment through three processes: community education, RWH installation, and urban agricultural system development. For each process, data collection was carried out through field observations and surveys of 39 respondents. Community knowledge was measured before and after the process through questionnaires, and the results of the integration of RWH and urban farming systems were described. The results showed an increase in public knowledge about the benefits of RWH integration and urban farming. RWH has helped alleviate the problem of clean water availability effectively and economically. Meanwhile, urban agriculture has given communities better access to nutrient-rich foods, which in turn can help reduce the problem of stunting.

Effectiveness and driving mechanism of ecological restoration efforts in China from 2009 to 2019

Over the past decades, China's rapid economic growth and industrialization have led to serious ecological concerns. To combat ecological degradation and promote ecosystem sustainability, China has made substantial investments in ecological restoration in recent decades. Nevertheless, a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness and driving mechanisms of these efforts are still lacking. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by employing national land-use survey data to evaluate the effectiveness and driving mechanisms of China's ecological restoration efforts during 2009-2019, with a specific focus on ecological land preservation, land use structure, and their contribution to ecosystem services. Additionally, the Geodetector model was used to detect potential influencing factors and driving mechanisms of these efforts. The results of this study revealed that: (1) Between 2009 and 2019, a total of 585,492.61 km2 of non-ecological land was successfully transformed into ecological land through various ecological restoration efforts. Most of these areas were previously unused or cultivated land. (2) Forest and grass plantations were the major ecological restoration efforts in China, accounting for 47.35% and 41.91% of the total restored ecological land, respectively. Grassland restoration clustered northwest of the Hu Line, while forest restoration concentrated mainly to the southeast. Water and wetlands restoration were mainly distributed around China's major rivers, such as the Yangtze River and Yellow River. (3) China's ecological restoration efforts contributed to a 2.53 trillion CNY yuan increase in ecosystem service value during 2009-2019, with over 65% of the increase attributed to ecosystem regulating services. (4) China's ecological restoration efforts were mainly influenced by anthropogenic factors, such as population, land use, and urbanization, while the non-linearly enhanced interaction between natural and other factors also deserves attention. China should balance urban expansion, agricultural development, and ecological preservation, aligning restoration with socioeconomic trends while establishing effective inter-regional ecological compensation mechanisms.

Achieving coordinated development of multi-functional urban agriculture in Xiamen, China

Urban agriculture's multi-functional coordinated development is an important approach for achieving sustainable development in urban areas. This study developed a comprehensive theoretical framework for evaluating, diagnosing, and optimizing multi-functional urban agriculture by integrating a TOPSIS evaluation model with the coordination degree model and the obstacle degree model. The framework was applied in Xiamen, China to identify the obstacles that impede its coordinated development. Subsequently, four optimized modes for the coordinated development of urban agriculture were proposed. Results showed that: (1) Urban agriculture in Xiamen exhibits the characteristics of "sound social function, moderate economic function, and poor ecological function". (2) The main obstacles affecting the coordination of urban agriculture's multi-function in Xiamen are the average grain crop output, level of agricultural mechanization, arable land carrying capacity, and amount of carbon sequestration. (3) Four optimized development modes for urban agriculture in Xiamen are identified. Through formulating customized strategies that align with the distinctive optimization development mode of each district can promote the sustainable development of urban agriculture in Xiamen. In conclusion, this framework provides a valuable tool for policymakers to explore effective strategies for promoting the multi-functional development of urban agriculture in China and can be expanded to other highly urbanized regions.

Current state, peculiarities and opportunities for the development of urban agriculture in different territories of Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

The development of urban agriculture is an inevitable trend for future cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, since it is one of the most important aspects for sustainable urban development aimed to ensure food security and other socio-economic and environmental benefits. The purpose of the article is to explore the issues of zoning of the existing areas in Ho Chi Minh City as well as assessing and analysing their characteristics and the level of capacity to develop urban agriculture as a basis for efficient operation of the land reserve and other city resources. In order to properly develop urban agriculture in Ho Chi Minh City, it is necessary to distinguish the features of each area of the city for efficient use of land and spaces. The present article provides some criteria and methods for zoning of the existing Ho Chi Minh City areas, evaluating and analysing their distinctive characteristics as well as the levels of urban agriculture development resource. The obtained results can serve as a basis for applying urban agriculture design models suitable for each area.

Biophysical Impact of Multiple Surface Forcings on Land Surface Temperature Over Eastern China

AbstractOver the past decades, human activities have directly or indirectly driven the land surface changes in eastern China. These anthropogenic forcings could trigger biochemical feedback and alter the surface biophysical properties, thus affecting local temperature. However, the latter is recognized as the “noise” and ignored when assessing historical or future climate. Here, we adopt the “observation minus reanalysis” (OMR) method to isolate the biophysical temperature footprint of multiple surface changes in eastern China over 2001–2018, using remote sensing land surface temperature and reanalysis skin temperature. A spatial regression model was used to separate the contributions from different processes. We find the biophysical feedbacks of surface changes have an annual cooling effect of −0.072 K/decade in eastern China, and the contributions from urban expansion, agricultural development, and natural vegetation greening are 0.042, −0.042, and −0.072 K/decade, correspondingly. The Northeast Plain shows agricultural activities induced cooling of −0.040 K/decade; the Loess Plateau shows natural vegetation recovery dominated cooling of −0.145 K/decade; the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain demonstrates a predominant urbanization warming effect of 0.124 K/decade; the Middle‐lower Yangtze shows natural vegetation greening related cooling of −0.106 K/decade. Both the intensity of the land surface changes and the temperature sensitivities drive the large spatial variability of the temperature effect. Overall, the temperature effects of surface changes are spatially heterogeneous and show considerable magnitudes. We emphasize that vegetation changes in eastern China show a strong surface cooling effect, and may contribute to the regional climate mitigation in the context of global warming.

Network Structure in Sustainable Urban Farming Development Policies in Makassar City

The development of urban farming and agriculture has been conducted by marginal communities. However, the role of the agricultural sector in the economic structure of Makassar city remains relatively small. This study aims to analyze the network structure of sustainable urban farming development policies in Makassar. Qualitative research methods were used in this study. Data collection methods included observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The data sources consisted of primary and secondary data, while data analysis was performed using an interactive method. The informants in this study were stakeholders directly involved in sustainable urban farming development policies. The results of this study show that the network structure in the development of sustainable urban farming policies in Makassar is not fully effective. This is because of the contact dimension, and the duration of contact between actors is still erratic, uneven, and unclear. In the trust dimension, there is still no written agreement or agreement on the development of sustainable urban farming in Makassar city that binds the actors involved. Meanwhile, the dimensions of information sharing and resource exchange dimensions in sustainable urban farming development policies in Makassar city have been progressing well.
 Keywords: network structure, policy, development of urban farming

Land suitability analysis of urban agriculture for different investment scenarios: Evidence from fuzhou of China

Urban agriculture provides a new strategic idea for solving the problem of urban food demand. The main objective of this study is to develop a spatial model for land suitability evaluation of urban agricultural development under different investment demands (urban agriculture 1.0 and 2.0), based on prospect theory and using GIS and TOPSIS analysis techniques. As a whole, we have developed a land suitability evaluation system for urban agricultural development under different investment needs (urban agriculture 1.0 and 2.0). We constructed a land suitability evaluation system for urban agriculture including ecological environment, social demand and investment cost. The results of the land suitability analysis for urban agriculture 1.0 show that the most suitable area is located in Changle. Compared with urban agriculture 1.0, the most suitable area for urban agriculture 2.0 is in Gulou. It is worth noting that Cangshan ranks second in both scenarios and can be used as a potential solution to balance the ecological environment, social demand and investment cost. Determining appropriate land suitability priorities for urban agriculture will facilitate future agricultural investment management and land use planning.

Inventory of Urban Building Roof Space and Analysis of Agricultural Production Potential—A Case Study

Utilizing idle space for agricultural planting can generate production profits while greening the urban environment. How can the space available for agricultural planting in cities be inventoried and quantified, and what is the production potential? With the help of GIS, spatial analysis was carried out, and more objective conclusions were drawn through calculation. This paper takes the roof space in Shibei District of Qingdao as an example to study: First, we analyzed the influencing factors and inventory standards of roof agricultural planting; second, we selected inventory standards for idle roof space inventory and conducted statistical analysis of the data obtained from the inventory. Furthermore, combining the annual yield of vegetables per unit area and the annual consumption standards of vegetables by citizens, we calculated the yield and supply and demand; next, we summarized the research results, analyzed their reliability and the advantages and disadvantages of this inventory, and derived formulas for calculating the agricultural production potential of rooftops and urban spaces. Finally, we concluded that the idle roof area in cities and the potential for agricultural production are significant. The research results indicate that the roof area of urban buildings in the Shibei District of Qingdao is 383.3 hectares, with an annual vegetable production potential of 25,800 tons, which can supply the urban population of 184,300. Based on the above research, it is proposed that rooftop agriculture should be given priority in the future development of urban agriculture, and it is recommended that other urban spaces should be inventoried to promote the development of urban agriculture.

Classification of Urban Agricultural Functional Regions and Their Carbon Effects at the County Level in the Pearl River Delta, China

Exploring the transformation process of urban agricultural functions and its interaction with carbon effects based on regional differences is of great positive significance for achieving a low-carbon sustainable development of agriculture in metropolitan areas. By using the index system method, self-organizing feature maps (SOFM) network modeling, and Granger causality analysis, we divided the agricultural regional types of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) based on the spatio-temporal changes in urban agricultural functions and carbon effects at the county level in the PRD from 2002 to 2020, and analyzed the carbon effects generated by the agricultural functions according to the differences between the three agricultural regional types. The results show the following: (1) The changes in the basic functions of agriculture, the intermediate functions of agriculture, and the advanced functions of agriculture were different from the perspectives of both time and space. (2) The carbon effects produced by the areas with weak agricultural functions, the areas with medium agricultural functions, and the areas with strong agricultural functions were different. (3) The evolution of agricultural production types aggravated the grain risk in the PRD, and urban agriculture has potential in improving food security. (4) Based on the regional types of agricultural functions and considering the constraints of land and water, strategic suggestions such as integrating natural resources, improving utilization efficiency, upgrading technical facilities, and avoiding production pollution are put forward. (5) The green and low-carbon transformation of urban agriculture has its boundaries. The positive effects of the factors, namely the innovation of agricultural production methods, the change in agricultural organization modes, the impact of market orientation, and the transfer of the agricultural labor force, is limited. The findings of this paper provide valuable and meaningful insights for academia, policy makers, producers, and ultimately for the local population in general, driving the development of urban agriculture in a low-carbon and sustainable direction.

Urban agriculture development: Global insights and lessons for Ho Chi Minh City

The article focuses on the research of urban agriculture development and international experiences that can be applied to Ho Chi Minh City. In the context of urbanization and increasing food demand, urban agriculture has attracted attention as a potential solution. By analyzing the experiences of countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan, the article identifies important lessons. Successful strategies include rooftop farming, vertical farming methods, and advanced technologies. The article also highlights the role of urban agriculture in ensuring food security, protecting the environment, and promoting socio-economic development. Furthermore, it discusses challenges such as limited natural resources, effective urban management, and resource scarcity. Proposed solutions to overcome these challenges include improving urban agriculture planning and infrastructure, strengthening communication and technology transfer, utilizing community resources, and increasing access to finance and resources.

Finding justice in the food movements

First paragraph: Justin Sean Myers’ Growing Gardens, Building Power: Food Justice and Urban Agriculture in Brooklyn docu­ments the emergence and development of urban agriculture in East New York. Using food as a lens, the book presents a detailed account of a commu­nity’s collective effort to confront its racialized history of segregation and disinvestment and simultaneously fight for food sovereignty and social justice. . . .

Urban Agriculture in Great Bandung Region in the Midst of Commercialization, Food Insecurity, and Nutrition Inadequacy

The proliferation of commercialization in the development of urban agriculture (UA) within the Great Bandung region has precipitated the dislocation of numerous small-scale farmers, consequently engendering a reduction in the accessibility of locally cultivated sustenance. The resultant effect of this phenomenon is the exacerbation of food insecurity among low-income inhabitants who lack the financial wherewithal to procure the relatively expensive imported food items. Furthermore, the dearth of availability of unprocessed, high-quality sustenance has resulted in suboptimal dietary intake among a considerable proportion of the populace. A survey was conducted utilizing questionnaires to gather data from 137 units of respondents consisting of both subsistence and commercial urban farmers. The comparative analysis of the earnings of urban farmers was conducted vis-à-vis the minimum wages projected for the year 2023 in West Java and Bandung City. The utilization of the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) is a prevalent method for evaluating food insecurity through the analysis of self-reported food-related behaviors and experiences, both pre- and post-UA operations. A 24 h Food Recall Instrument examined nutrition adequacy in urban farmer households, which was analyzed using chi-square with descriptive presentation. Urban agriculture could help solve commercialization, food insecurity, and nutrition issues in the Great Bandung Region. Commercial urban farmers (51.09%) earned 280.46% of West Java provincial minimum wages or 136.82% of Bandung City minimum wages in 2023. The subsistence farmers’ cohort (48.91%) earned 14.64% of West Java provincial minimum earnings or 7.14% of Bandung City minimum wages in 2023. In general, the prevalence of ties to food insecurity was predominantly observed subsequent to UA practices. The study revealed a prevalence of vitamin A surplus among urban farmers, while a preponderance of inadequacy in other nutritional aspects was also observed.

Low GHG emissions and less nitrogen use in mushroom-based protein production from chitin-containing waste and cottonseed hull with two phase SSF

Mushroom cultivation with solid state waste from industrial crops has recently emerged as an innovative from of urban agriculture. This study aimed to bioconvert agricultural waste, including cottonseed hull, corncob, and chitin waste, into mushroom-derived nutrients through two phase solid state fermentation with the microbes. Here, we tested fungal community diversity and changes in physicochemical characteristics during phase I (fast composting) and nutrient recovery rates in phase II (fermentation with Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm) in different N supplement formulas and then evaluated the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of the diet by replacing animal-based protein sources with mushroom-based protein. Chitin waste as supplement in substrate has significantly increased the fungi community composition during fast composting. In phase II, the T3 with 20 % wheat bran had the highest yield, both with the first flush and second flush, which was 13.84 % more than T1 with 20 % chitin waste. The most degraded component was cellulose, which ranged from 43.94 % in T1 to 52.07 % in T3. Lignin degradation which mainly occurred in phase Ⅱ, ranged from 22.58 % to 28.69 %, and was 57.80 % higher than phase I. The present study showed that 12.71 mg trace element, 2.29 g major element, 13.81 g total amino acid, 267.16 g total sugar, 153.93 g crude protein, 27.11 g total flavonoids, and 10.80 g total phenolics (average in all formulas) were recycled into fruiting bodies from every kilogram of solid waste after two-phase fermentation. After mushroom-based protein added in diet, the value of protein GHG intensity declined in 14.99–23.71 %. The highest nitrogen use decreased was 13.01 % in diet. Adding chitin-containing waste from urban agriculture as N supplements to the substrate can promote the development of innovative urban agriculture in mushroom-based protein production.