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Urban Food and Nutrition Security Resilience through Urban Agriculture: A Circular Economy Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Barasa, Laura

    (University of Nairobi, School of Economics)

  • Kihiu, Evelyne

    (International Potato Center)

  • Vaz, João Manuel Lameiras

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campolide Campus)

  • Tanga, Chrysantus

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology)

Abstract

Food and nutrition insecurity, combined with poor waste management and sanitation, are common features of urban informal settlements. We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 810 households in Kibera to evaluate the effects of urban agriculture interventions—climate smart gardens (CSGs) and black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) derived from recycled human waste—on food and nutrition security, household welfare, and food production. The interventions significantly enhanced food and nutrition security and home food production, with stronger effects observed in female-headed households. While vegetable consumption expenditure declined, food and total consumption expenditure remained unaffected. These results underscore the potential of circular economy interventions to simultaneously improve nutrition, waste management, and gender equity in densely populated informal settlements.

Suggested Citation

  • Barasa, Laura & Kihiu, Evelyne & Vaz, João Manuel Lameiras & Tanga, Chrysantus, 2026. "Urban Food and Nutrition Security Resilience through Urban Agriculture: A Circular Economy Approach," EfD Discussion Paper 26-1, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunefd:2026_001
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    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • N57 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Africa; Oceania
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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