If the search does not denote “general trend in how food productivity varies depending on where and how crops are grown“, the researchers note, however, that certain urban spaces and specific cultivation systems allowed for higher yields than others. This is particularly the case for tomatoes that were grown in hydroponic greenhouses (growing food in the water) and whose yield rates are three times higher than for those grown in urban green spaces and outdoors.
Ditto for lettuce and chicory, which seem to thrive best in vertical vegetable gardens, hydroponics or urban farms. In comparison, green spaces could accommodate far fewer cycles during the lettuce and chicory growing season.
“This analysis provides a more robust and globally relevant evidence base on the productivity of urban agriculture that can be used in future research and practice related to urban agriculture, especially in scaling up studies. aimed at estimating the self-sufficiency of towns and villages and their potential to meet local food demand“, conclude the authors of the research.