Chapter 2.17
2.17 - Bag gardening in Peri Urban areas
Amber De Goeas, University of Guelph,Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
De Goeas,A. (2025) Bag gardening in Peri Urban areas . In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph,Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org
Definition and Background of Bag Gardening
Bag gardening is an alternative technique to growing crops in a large field. Bag or sack gardening grows plants vertically in containers or bags filled with soil. More formally, it is defined as a type of urban agriculture with the objective of reducing income expenditure on farming for households located in densely populated areas (Peprah et al., 2014). Moreover, bag gardening is a cost-effective method to help women in peri-urban areas who face limited access to credit and financial resources to invest in gardening tools, seeds and fertilizers. This approach also has the potential to mitigate the effects of malnutrition caused by the lack of nutrient dense vegetables in everyday diet due to unavailable land.
Bag gardening has the advantage of allowing easier supervision of crop growth and management of pests, fungi and bacteria which destroy crops. This setup is also raised from the ground, away from rodents and other animals. Ultimately, it is a low-cost innovation designed to ease the uncertainty faced by farmers living in peri-urban areas.
There are different designs of sack farming that can be used to accommodate a variety of crops selected at the farmer’s discretion. However, cash crops and micro-nutrient rich crops such as leafy greens, herbs and tomatoes produce most favourable results. The more common design, shown in the Figure 1, involves using a container (Manila sack or polyethylene bags), adding a hollow metal tin or PVC pipe stabilized by rocks in the center of the sack, and finally, filling the bag with a mixture of soil and manure. Plants grown in sacks are often derived from transplanting seedlings cultivated in a nursery beforehand (Adeline, 2016).
A demonstration, shown in Figure 2 below, shows the various steps to assembling a bag gardening system.
over the next 2-3 months
Figure 2 showing a bag gardening setup photo demonstration.
Source: Adeline A. (December 2016). Gardening in Sacks Handbook: A technique of vertical agriculture. Solidarites International. Retrieved from: https://www.solidarites.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gardening-in-sacks-2016.pdf
Sacks often used in this farming practice are recycled from previous packaging. It would be a cheap resource for households to reuse “waste sacks” which once held grains, beans, millet and even cement bags or old mail bags. Bags/sacks can also be bought from the market at reasonable prices which will be discussed later. The selection of bags should consider aeration and drainage (Adeline, 2016) Although polyethylene bags work fine, jute or manila are most ideal. Notably, the sack’s capacity should be able to withstand 50-100 kg for the more common design setup shown below.
Tools include a watering can that can hold 10 liters and a spade or shovel. Other essential materials include 15 kg of stones (3-5 cm in size) preferably limestone or volcanic, 50 kg of fertile loamy or humus soil, vegetable seeds, 25 kg of fertilizer either compost or manure and a pipe same height of the bag, often 15-20 cm long as shown below. The pipe is used to create a stone vent which allows water to reach soil more efficiently (Peprah et al., 2014).
For a smaller scale setup, a practical setup is shown below:
Materials for this setup include scrap wood or PVC pipe measuring 4.87 m (length), 1.21 m (width) and 1.82 m (high). Micro polyethylene bags sell on Alibaba. com for 64 US cents per piece. The advisable space between each bag is 20 cm so that twelve plants may fit in each row. Ultimately, this setup should be able to fit 120 plants. The bags should be prepared the same way as the larger setup, albeit, in smaller proportions. This design is particularly helpful for households where preganat or elder women are less mobile and need a less demanding system to cultivate crops (FAO, 2023 & United Nations, 2021).
Types of crops to be grown in the bag gardening system
In terms of the suitability of crops to be grown using bag gardening, a case study using results from Kibera, Nairobi and Kenya found that leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach were most successful. In Ghana, tomatoes were also grown (Peprah et al., 2014). However, tomatoes were reported to experience some difficulties receiving support on the side of the larger sacks. Therefore, the smaller setup design may be more appropriate for this crop. Indigenous crops such as Ujuju, Benniseed, mustard greens and amaranth can also be grown successfully with this technique (Zikovic et al 2022). The application of fertilizer is dependent on the specific crop grown, however, given the setup of this farming technique, any issues relating to larger pests could be drastically mitigated. Tuber crops and grains would be difficult to grow under this design setup due to the space requirement of their large root systems.
Section 3: Benefits of bag gardening
This form of vertical farming allows individuals that have been susceptible to migration (e.g. refugees, displaced people) to adapt to the complexities of societies outside of their control. This technique considers that many farmers who migrate to peri urban areas have the knowledge of how to grow plants but unfortunately do not have sufficient land. This exacerbates their conundrum of micronutrient malnutrition and lack of disposable income. Bag gardening may help to target these issues. For example, a study discussing the implications of rapidly urbanizing Ghanian cities, found that farmers found this innovation to be more convenient due to reduced irrigation requirements, lower labour demands and continuous seasonal production (Peprah et al., 2014).
Sack farming allows smallholder farmers to grow cash crops at a rate of 20-40 plants per bag (Gallaher et al., 2013). The economic benefits, in most optimistic cases, results in farmers earning US$5 per week from the sale of leafy vegetables. In a month, households may earn around US$20 and be able to pay for monthly rent or have some disposable income.Leafy vegetables grown using bag gardening are nutritious in micronutrients and can help supplement diets and combat food insecurity. For instance, assuming the model setup described above, vegetable consumption may increase from 1-3 times a week and may feed a household of 4-6 people. Landless women may find that bag gardening offers a steady supply of cash crops that can help pay for costs relating to acquiring fuelwood and essentials for schoolchildren. Moreover, social and physical barriers often restrict urban women to escape poverty. Decision making is often in control of the men and in the event of a premature death of a husband, the woman may find it difficult to sustain her family (United Nations, 2021). The reality for most peri-urban women is a life of inadequate access to public services and insecure property rights. Forced eviction and relocation from land disproportionately affect women in Benin, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. (United Nations, 2021) Therefore, it is imperative that women are educated with simple strategies to ease some of their struggles.
In terms of the design setup, harvest time is reduced because bags can be positioned to utilize sunlight more efficiently. The mixture of soil and compost acts as a nutrient rich source for the crops. Moreover, natural fertilizers including dried chili pepper, tobacco, garlic and neem can be incorporated into the soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers (Andres, 2016). The stone column in the center of the sack acts as a tool for aeration and irrigation may allow less use of water.
Section 4: Critical analysis- including cost of materials, substitutes and recommendations
A quotation for the cost of materials for one peri-urban household was estimated using prices from Alibaba.com.
If sacks cannot be reused from previous packaging, jute bags retail on Alibaba.com for less than US$1 per piece.
Assuming that one household decides to use the vertical bag gardening system, they can purchase five 100 kg jute bags for US$4.56. Alternatively, polythelene bags can be bought at 67 US cents for five bags.
The materials for the stone column may either be tin or PVC pipe. On Alibaba.com, 1 meter of PVC pipe that is 20 cm wide, sell for US$1.11. However, the pipe will need to be cut into 5 parts to be used in the 5 bags. The transporting of pipes to specific household as well as the need for a hacksaw to cut pipes may pose an additional cost. Most times, as observed in Ghana and Kenya, soil, manure and rocks do not carry heavy financial costs (Peprah et al., 2014).
For farmers who may feel disuaded to purchase these items, it should be encouraged to form small cooperatives for households to contribute resources for the purchasing of necessary materials. Even seedlings can be grown on community nurseries before being transplanted in the bag gardening setup of an individual household. Once materials are acquired, it is only a matter of assembling the vertical sack gardens using the steps provided.
Section 5: Helpful resources and links to get started:
1) Thrive for Good (December 2021). Demonstration Video: How to make a Sack Garden Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2E3whMDvNc
2) Orina Dominic (February 2023). Simple steps of preparing sacks for growing vegetables. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ow4aO3VmRg
3) Farm for Profit Uganda (Many 2024): How to manage pests before planting? Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0DyYE_y2LE
4) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2023). FAO's sack gardens effectively improve the resilience of internally displaced people. Retrieved from: https://www.fao.org/emergencies/resources-repository/news/detail/fao's-sack-gardens-effectively-improve-the-resilience-of-internally-displaced-people/en
5) United Nations. (2021). Harsh realities: Marginalized women in cities of the developing world. Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/harsh-realities-marginalized-women-in-cities-of-the-developing-world-en.pdf
References
1) Ayambire, R. A., Amponsah, O., Peprah, C., & Takyi, S. A. (2019). A review of practices for sustaining urban and peri-urban agriculture: Implications for land use planning in rapidly urbanising Ghanaian cities. Land Use Policy, 84, 260-277.
2) Kalanda J., M.D. et al. (2020). Strengthening Horticultural Innovation Systems for Adaptation to Effects of Urbanisation and Climate Variability in Peri-Urban Areas. In: Matondo, J.I., Alemaw, B.F., Sandwidi, W.J.P. (eds) Climate Variability and Change in Africa Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-31543-6_11
3) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2023). FAO's sack gardens effectively improve the resilience of internally displaced people. FAO, Rome. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/emergencies/resources-repository/news/detail/fao's-sack-gardens-effectively-improve-the-resilience-of-internally-displaced-people/en
4) United Nations. (2021). Harsh realities: Marginalized women in cities of the developing world. UN Habitat. Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/harsh-realities-marginalized-women-in-cities-of-the-developing-world-en.pdf
5) Gallaher, C.M., Mwaniki, D., Njenga, M., Karanja, N.K., and WinklerPrins, A.M.G.A. (2013). Real or Perceived: The Environmental Health Risks of Urban Sack Gardening in Kibera Slums of Nairobi, Kenya. EcoHealth 10, 9-20.
6) Zivkovic, A., Merchant, E. V., Nyawir, T., Hoffman, D. J., Simon, J. E., & Downs, S. (2022). Strengthening vegetable production and consumption in a Kenyan informal settlement: a feasibility and preliminary impact assessment of a sack garden intervention. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(5), nzac036.
7) Adeline, A. (December 2016). Gardening in Sacks Handbook: A technique of vertical agriculture. Solidarites International. Retrieved from: https://www.solidarites.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gardening-in-sacks-2016.pdf
8) Orsini, F., Michelon, N., Scocozza, F., & Gianquinto, G. (2009). Farmers-to-Consumers: An example of sustainable soilless horticulture in urban and peri-urban areas. Acta Hort (Jan 2009). Retrieved from: https://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=809_21
9) Peprah, K., Amoah, S., & Akongbangre, J. (2014). Sack farming: Innovation for land scarcity farmers in Kenya and Ghana. International Journal of Innovative Research and Studies 3, 29-44. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262876416_Sack_Farming_Innovation_for_Land_Scarcity_
10) Smaller scale design model: Camacho B. (2025) Personal communication by phone (592)609-9382. Date: March12th,2025. B. Camacho is the owner of Aqua Greens Agricultural Services in Guyana.
11) Price quotation retrieved from: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Manufacture-Large-Size-Pe-Packing-Heavy_1600955870204.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.p_offer.d_title.66e513a0EYkSxa&s=p
12) Price quotation retrieved from: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Heavy-Duty-Burlap-Bags-Natural-Burlap_1600918731710.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.p_offer.d_price.2c8913a0edyApm&s=p
13) Price quotation retrieved from: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Wholesale-50kg-50lb-100kg-Saco-Poly_1600134687452.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.p_offer.d_title.2b2b13a04Wqj6m&s=p
14) Price quotation retrieved from: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/PVC-Conduit-Pipe-and-Fittings Manufacturer_1592287030.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.topad_classic.i6.6f4013a0ismkJo