Urban Agriculture Research Articles

Availability of Farmers in our Gadgets

This study proposes "Availability of Farmers in Your Gadgets," a smartphone application that serves as a comprehensive and inclusive digital platform to close the gap between urban customers and rural farmers. The application, which was developed with Firebase as the backend-as-a-service (BaaS) solution and Flutter for cross-platform mobile development, provides secure authentication, dynamic data processing, and real-time interaction. Real-time inventory management, product uploading with price, quantity, and description, and admin-controlled onboarding are all available to farmers. In addition to adding things to their cart, customers may see past orders, track order status, and explore products using a variety of criteria. A centralized admin module includes tools for authorizing and managing farmer accounts, resolving disputes, and ensuring platform policies are followed. Delivery tracking, order history, and feedback submission all improve the user experience. With support for several regional languages, straightforward navigation, and real-time database sync, the program ensures digital inclusion, low-latency interactions, and resilient performance even under high-load scenarios. This platform drastically decreases post- harvest losses, eliminates middlemen, and supports a transparent agricultural trade, hence boosting economic empowerment for Indian farmers. Keywords— Mobile Application, Firebase, Flutter, Admin Module, low-latency interactions, scalable messaging, real-time Inventory Management, secure authentication, Digital Inclusion.

Beyond the blueprint: Rethinking governance and sustainability in Cape Town’s community gardens

ABSTRACT Urban community gardening initiatives have the potential to address critical urban challenges, such as fostering community cohesion and enhancing food security in local food systems. However, their long-term sustainability remains an ongoing challenge and is closely tied to the governance models that shape their operations. This study uses qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, to explore how different governance models influence garden autonomy and sustainability in Cape Town, South Africa. The findings demonstrate the significance of external support from nonprofits and government agencies; however, poorly managed support can also undermine local ownership and autonomy. A more nuanced understanding of hybrid governance (neither top-down nor bottom-up) can empower policymakers and community leaders to foster more sustainable and impactful urban agriculture projects in marginalized neighborhoods, particularly in Global South contexts.

Environmental, Social, and Economic Benefits of Rooftop Farming

Rooftop farming has emerged as a transformative solution to address pressing urban challenges in Kathmandu, Nepal, amidst rapid urbanization and population growth. This paper explores the historical roots, types, benefits, and economic insights of rooftop farming, focusing on its significance in Kathmandu's urban landscape. Drawing on historical examples and contemporary initiatives, the study highlights the multifaceted benefits of rooftop farming, including environmental sustainability, food security, community resilience, and economic empowerment. By examining the successes and challenges of rooftop farming in Kathmandu, this paper underscores its potential as a sustainable urban agricultural practice and calls for concerted efforts to mainstream and scale up rooftop farming initiatives in Kathmandu and beyond.

Evaluating the Economic Feasibility of Hydroponics in Urban Agriculture at Kathmandu, Nepal

This review paper explores hydroponics as a progressive method of urban agriculture, addressing challenges of confined land availability, food security, and environmental worries resulting from urbanization. Hydroponics, a soilless agricultural technique, emerges as a sustainable response to the urban challenges of limited arable land and water scarcity. Overall, this review synthesizes the study's insights into setup costs, operational challenges, and profitability, aligning them with global trends and local constraints. Recommendations for strategic interventions, including subsidies, training, and urban planning integration, highlight pathways to foster the adoption of hydroponic farming in urban contexts.

An Autonomous Dual-Fan Pollination Device: Mathematical Modeling, Trajectory Optimization, and Distribution Analysis for Enhanced Crop Yield

The decline of natural pollinators, exacerbated by climate change and pesticide use, poses a critical threat to global food security. Innovative solutions are essential to mitigate these challenges and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. This study addresses the urgent need for effective, autonomous pollination systems to enhance crop productivity and resilience. This research introduces a novel artificial pollination device designed for autonomous pollen collection and dispersal. It features a custom 3D-printed funnel, a suction fan, precise artificial pollination brushes, and a blowing fan to ensure robust performance in various agricultural settings. The primary objective is to evaluate the device’s accuracy and efficiency under both controlled and environmental conditions. The device was tested in a model testbed using turmeric and mustard seeds as pollen simulants. Initial tests achieved a 61% success rate, which improved to 79% after a hardware upgrade. Further analysis using the Tracker: Video Analysis and Modeling Tool, Python, and AI tools revealed a cone-shaped pollen distribution range influenced by environmental factors. Optimized dispersion angles led to a pollen dispersal rate of 93-100%. Under typical Los Angeles weather conditions, the device’s adjusted success rate was 87.6%. This innovative artificial pollination system marks a significant leap forward in agricultural technology. It offers a scalable solution for crop pollination and urban farming, enhancing productivity in controlled environments. Future research will focus on integrating advanced sensors and AI algorithms to optimize the device’s positioning and movement in dynamic field conditions, further improving accuracy and efficiency.

Optimization of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in High-rise Buildings

In recent years, the optimization of rainwater harvesting systems in high-rise buildings has garnered considerable attention as urbanization intensifies and environmental concerns escalate. High-rise structures, characterized by dense populations and limited land availability, present unique challenges for resource management, particularly regarding water supply. Effective harvesting of rainwater not only alleviates pressure on traditional water sources but also contributes to sustainable urban living. Innovative systems, such as the Rain-Power Utilization System, have emerged, showcasing the potential for rainwater to be harnessed efficiently for both consumption and energy generation, thereby improving self-sufficiency in urban environments (Yu J et al.). Furthermore, integrating decentralized systems, like rooftop mosaics, can enhance urban sustainability by combining rainwater harvesting with urban farming and renewable energy solutions (Toboso-Chavero S et al., p. 1284-1299). Thus, exploring optimized rainwater harvesting strategies is essential for promoting resilience in high-rise structures amidst growing socio-economic and environmental demands.

Visualising and Valuing Urban Agriculture for Land Use Planning: A Critical GIS Analysis of Sydney and Neighbouring Regions

The loss of a city’s agricultural lands due to land use change through urban development is a global problem, as local food production is an essential green infrastructure for intergenerational sustainability. Like many cities, much of Sydney’s rapid urban development occurs on land previously used for food production. Sydney has one of the highest rates of urban growth among Western cities and a planning strategy that marginalises its agricultural productivity. To better understand and advocate for Sydney’s capacity for food production we explore all available government datasets containing agricultural biophysical capacity using a critical GIS approach. Employing various spatial-data visualisations to contextualise agricultural production, we examine inherent biophysical agricultural capacity in Sydney and comparable regions along the eastern coast of NSW. Our approach interrogates the notion that Sydney’s metropolitan landscape is of low inherent biophysical quality for agriculture, thereby challenging current development and planning orthodoxy and policy. In ascertaining Sydney’s comparative capacity for agriculture we find that, despite current metropolitan planning policy, datasets reveal western Sydney is biophysically well suited for agriculture. Sydney overall is comparable to five of six other coastal regions of NSW and superior to at least two. While acknowledging metropolitan land use complexities that shape agricultural production in practice, we argue for improved critical application and contextual understanding of existing agricultural datasets to better inform future planning policy to advance regional food security and aid long-term sustainability.

Hydroponics: An Innovative Approach to Sustainable High-Value Crop Cultivation

Hydroponics is an innovative and sustainable agricultural technique that enables the cultivation of high-value crops without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions. This method has gained prominence due to its ability to enhance crop yield, optimize resource utilization and contribute to food security. Hydroponic systems including Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Deep Water Culture (DWC), aeroponics and aquaponics provide controlled environments that minimize the use of water, pesticides and fertilizers while ensuring faster plant growth and superior nutritional quality. This review explores the characteristics of hydroponic farming the economic viability of high-value crops and the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT and precision agriculture. The findings indicate that hydroponics can significantly reduce dependency on arable land, mitigate environmental degradation and support urban agriculture. Despite its advantages, challenges such as high initial investment costs and energy consumption and the need for technical expertise remains the key barriers to widespread adoption. With growing global food demands and climate change concerns; hydroponics presents a viable solution for sustainable agriculture. Future advancements in automation and renewable energy integration can further enhance its feasibility. This study underscores the potential of hydroponic farming as a transformative approach to modern agriculture ensuring long-term sustainability and economic profitability in global food production.

Building a more sustainable food system in Colombia: a role for nutrition professionals

This article describes multiple efforts to facilitate the transition to a more sustainable food system in Colombia, which can contribute to the achievement of climate-, biodiversity-, and health-related goals. These interconnected goals are aligned with Colombia’s plan for sustainable development and food sovereignty, guided by a food systems typology developed by the World Wildlife Fund, Colombia, and through support of the concept known as Buen Vivir. Public health nutrition professionals can increase food security, build food sovereignty, and facilitate the transition to a more sustainable food system in Colombia through: (1) community food gardening and peri-urban and urban agriculture projects; (2) institutional- and consumer-level food waste reduction and prevention programs; and (3) sustainable menu projects that incorporate indigenous, native, and local foods that facilitate the recovery of food memory. Such projects should be participatory and tailored to meet the needs of stakeholders in the different regions of Colombia.

Land use effects in trace element concentrations and bird biodiversity in mangrove environments within a Natural Protected Area.

Land use effects in trace element concentrations and bird biodiversity in mangrove environments within a Natural Protected Area.

Theoretical Perspective of Urban Farming and Food Security in Southwestern Uganda

This study examined the potential of urban agriculture as a strategy to alleviate food insecurity among low-income households in urban areas of southwestern Uganda. As rapid urbanization challenges traditional food systems to meet increasing demand for affordable and nutritious food, urban agriculture offers a promising solution. By using limited urban spaces to grow crops, urban agriculture can increase food access and provide economic benefits. Drawing on secondary data from government reports, academic research, policy documents and case studies, the study examined the role of urban agriculture in improving food security, promoting community empowerment and generating income through market-oriented gardening. The study suggests that households practising urban farming have better access to diverse and nutritious foods compared to households in peri-urban and rural areas. However, constraints such as land scarcity, inadequate water management, limited technical knowledge and inadequate policy support hinder the full potential of urban agriculture. The study highlighted the need for integrated urban policies that support sustainable food systems and community-based agricultural programs. By promoting innovative farming techniques and optimizing the use of space, urban farming can serve as a scalable model for building resilient urban food systems in southwestern Uganda.

Sustainable Urban Horticulture Practices: A Review

Urban horticulture is vital in improving food security, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. With increasing urbanization, the need for green areas, sustainable food production, and optimal use of resources has been tremendous. In this review, different sustainable practices in urban horticulture such as vertical gardening, hydroponics, aquaponics, rooftop gardening, composting, and rainwater harvesting are discussed. It also emphasizes the importance of urban agroforestry, intelligent irrigation systems, and integrated pest management in the promotion of sustainable green spaces in urban areas. The benefits and limitations of these strategies are analyzed, highlighting their effects on urban ecology, climate resilience, socio-economic well-being, and environmental conservation. The review is finalized with policy integration, technological innovation, and public participation recommendations to maximize the sustainability of urban horticulture. In addition, it presents future strategies for sustainable food production in cities, new green technologies, and the incorporation of urban agriculture into the development of cities in order to guarantee long-term sustainability and efficiency.

Agroecologia e sustentabilidade no território: agricultura urbana de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul

This work analyzes agroecological urban agriculture in Campo Grande, the state capital of Mato Grosso do Sul. Research methodology involved collecting and analyzing field data and consulting statistical and bibliographic information. Research results indicate that urban agriculture in Campo Grande contributes to strengthening sustainable territorial relationships, because it prioritizes agroecology and generates employment and income in poor peripheral neighborhoods. Of the total number of urban farms, 71% were found to private family undertakings and 29% community gardens. The majority of farms are organic or agroecological which are engaged in the production of vegetables, fruit and small animals. Food is produced for both self-consumption and for sale in Campo Grande. Marketing goes through a short circuit involving direct sales from producers to consumers in organic street markets, from door-to-door and online via WhatsApp as well as to small local businesses. However, urban agriculture in Campo Grande is unstable due to discontinuity in the actions of public authorities, which has caused the number of producers and production to decrease. Policies meant to stimulate family organic farming in urban agriculture, to be effective, must be appropriate to the socioeconomic conditions of low-income farmers who lack financial and technical resources. Advances and setbacks in urban agriculture indicate the need to discuss its importance and permanence in Campo Grande on a sustainable basis.

Design and evaluation of a solar powered smart irrigation system for sustainable urban agriculture

Urban areas face significant challenges, including a lack of green spaces, scarce water resources, environmental pollution, and elevated heat emissions, particularly in developing countries experiencing rapid population growth. Therefore, the study aims to advance sustainable urban agriculture by designing and evaluating a solar-powered smart rooftop irrigation system for peppermint cultivation. The system incorporates two drip irrigation setups—conventional and smart irrigation—powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels. The smart system integrates real-time monitoring of critical variables, including (1) soil moisture, (2) relative humidity, (3) PV panel temperature, and (4) PV panel current and voltage. Key performance metrics such as water and energy consumption, water use efficiency, energy productivity, and carbon dioxide emissions were evaluated for both systems. In addition, the economic analysis of the smart system was determined. Results revealed that the smart system reduced water and energy consumption by 28.1% compared to conventional irrigation. Additionally, the smart system achieved a notable reduction in carbon footprint, with CO2 emissions of 0.181 kg CO₂/m2/year compared to 0.252 kg CO₂/m2/year for the conventional system. The system’s economic analysis demonstrated a payback period of 5.6 years, highlighting its financial viability. This study underscores the transformative potential of solar-powered smart irrigation systems in enhancing food security, conserving water, reducing energy consumption, and mitigating carbon emissions in urban agriculture.

Entrepreneurial Potential of Urban and Peri-Urban Agri Enterprises: A Multidimensional Analysis

Urban and peri-urban agriculture is rising as one of the major sectors in India, spurred by increasing urbanization, food security concerns, and entrepreneurial prospects. The study was conducted in this backdrop to assess the entrepreneurial potential of urban and peri-urban agri enterprises in the Central region of Kerala in terms of the multidimensions such as scaling readiness, profitability, product diversification strategy, marketing competence, employment generation, capacity utilization and ecological sustainability. Using Principal Component Analysis, the study identified two major components: strategic growth orientation (driven by marketing competence, employment generation, scaling readiness and product diversification strategy) and green innovation (highlighting ecological sustainability) as the pillars of entrepreneurship development in the urban and peri-urban scenarios. The study also highlighted that marketing competence as the most significant dimension while ecological sustainability had the least impact on the entrepreneurial potential. The Entrepreneurial Potential Index (EPI) analysis revealed that a majority of urban and peri-urban agri enterprises (66%) had a medium level of entrepreneurial potential. Also, significant differences in the entrepreneurial potential were observed among the three major categories of enterprises; with value-addition firms having the highest mean EPI, followed by mushroom enterprises and aquaponics with the lowest mean EPI, underscoring the prospects for development in these sectors. The study highlights the need for adopting strategies to enhance marketing competence of agri enterprises by focusing on branding, labelling, and packaging. Use of skilled employees, innovation readiness and multiple product development would also help to achieve a resilient and competitive urban agripreneurial ecosystem in the State.

Ecofeminism and Urban Farming: Empowering Women Farmers in Serang City, Indonesia

This articel analyzes the role of ecofeminism in the activism of Women Farmers' Groups in Serang City in shaping ecological spaces through empowerment-based urban farming. The urgency of this research is grounded in the persistent patriarchal culture that confines women to the domestic sphere, despite many being in their productive years. Empowerment through Women Farmers' Groups serves as a form of resistance by creating ecological spaces that enable women to become independent and self-sufficient without leaving their homes. This article is conducted in Serang City, where land conversion into residential areas has resulted in numerous idle lands that have the potential to be utilized for urban farming. Employing a feminist critical ethnographic approach, the study finds that urban farming within Women Farmers' Groups fosters environmental awareness based on ecofeminist principles. This process occurs through knowledge reproduction facilitated by socialization and training, contributing to both household food security and environmental conservation. However, the lack of government support has led to the unsustainability of some Women Farmers' Groups due to insufficient monitoring and assistance. The findings of this study are expected to serve as an evaluation tool for optimizing Women Farmers' Groups programs, ultimately strengthening food security and enhancing women's participation in environmental conservation through the creation of ecological spaces.

Reusing treated wastewater and biosolids in urban agriculture: Social feasibility of a decentralized approach for underserved settlements

Reusing treated wastewater and biosolids in urban agriculture: Social feasibility of a decentralized approach for underserved settlements

Preslaughter practices, pork physicochemical attributes and fatty acid profiles of pigs raised and slaughtered on smallholder urban farms in the Cape Metropole, South Africa

Preslaughter practices, pork physicochemical attributes and fatty acid profiles of pigs raised and slaughtered on smallholder urban farms in the Cape Metropole, South Africa

The online portrayal of urban farmers: Professionals’ perspectives on their influence on constructing farming-career paths

The online portrayal of urban farmers: Professionals’ perspectives on their influence on constructing farming-career paths

HEAVY METAL SEASONAL VARIATION IN IRRIGATION WATER ALONG JAKARA RIVER, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The water in the Jakara River is a blend of domestic sewage from the north and central parts of the Kano metropolis and industrial effluent from the Bompai Industrial Estate. The wastewater in the river is the main source of irrigation water used by urban farmers in the city. Wastewater contaminated with heavy metals can be of public health concern when used for irrigation. The increasing concentration of several metals in soil and waters due to the Industrial Revolution has created an alarming situation for human life and aquatic biota. The study aims to determine the effect of season and location on the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Cr and Hg in the irrigation water from the Jakara River. Water samples were collected from three locations monthly for 12 months from January to December 2022. The water samples were digested and subjected to heavy metals analysis using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results of irrigation water analysis show that Pb and Cr are present in all the 36 samples taken during the study period. Co and Hg were not detected in all the samples taken during this period. Cd and Ni were not detected during September sampling, additionally, the concentrations of Pb and Cr detected in September were also the lowest. The highest concentrations were found in samples collected from Jaba and Kumantaka. It is only Pb concentration that exceeded the FAO/WHO permissible limit. Water samples collected in September at Airport Road possess the lowest heavy metals contamination...