Determinants of Household Food Insecurity Among Urban Small-Scale Crop Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa Region: A Systematic Literature Review

Bonguyise Mzwandile Dumisa (), Melusi Sibanda and Nolwazi Zanele Khumalo
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Bonguyise Mzwandile Dumisa: Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
Melusi Sibanda: Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
Nolwazi Zanele Khumalo: Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-27

Abstract: Agriculture has been widely practiced for food production, yet food insecurity remains a critical issue, especially in Africa. Due to the significant role played by small-scale farmers, urban agriculture has been acknowledged as a viable strategy for reducing food insecurity in urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. This review analyzes urban household food insecurity factors through a systematic literature approach, retrieving data from various online databases. These databases include ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, UNIZULU online library, and PubAg. The search process involved the use of keywords to obtain relevant information along with the application of filters such as geographic location, publication period, language, article type, and accessibility. A total of 37 articles was included in this review after the application of the review eligibility criteria. This was achieved following PRISMA guidelines. Findings reveal a growing trend in the publication of articles on urban farming and an increasing acknowledgment of its importance by high-impact journals. It also shows various factors that determine household food insecurity, categorized as socioeconomic (11), institutional (5), and environmental factors (2). This led to the recommendation that urban government structures including policy makers and stakeholders should support food production and ensure an efficient urban food supply system.

Keywords: agricultural practice; food insecurity; Sub-Saharan Africa; sustainable farming practices; urban agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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