Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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37 results(1 / 2)
Exploring the economic viability and marketability of aeroponics systems: An urban agriculture study in Navotas City
2026Hanna Kye Pohanes, Samantha Andrea Farinas, Maricar Cangayao, Jasmin Mae dela Peña, Chinie King Ho, Jonalyn Palconit, Jholan Hazel Tabance, Divina Gracia Cabaddu, Ryan dela Peña · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Philippines (Navotas City)
This qualitative study in Navotas City explored the economic viability and marketability of aeroponics systems in urban agriculture. Findings indicate aeroponics requires high initial investment and faces challenges such as produce failing to meet specific weight standards for sale, high energy consumption, and high setup costs. While offering benefits like efficient resource use and high yields, further improvements in system efficiency and operational methods are needed for it to become a viable and scalable business model.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceCULTIVO PROTEGIDO E HIDROPONIA NA AGRICULTURA BRASILEIRA: ambientes controlados, automação e produção sustentável em pequenas áreas
2026Carlos Luiz Vieira · · Brazil
This study analyzes protected cultivation and hydroponics in Brazil as technologies enabling full control of environmental variables and eliminating dependence on climate seasonality. These technologies demonstrate 80-95% reductions in water consumption, 300-500% increases in productivity compared to open fields, and complete elimination of agrochemical residues. However, the study also points out implementation challenges for these technologies, concluding they are fundamental for food security in contexts of accelerated urbanization, water scarcity, and global climate change.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureAdvancing urban horticulture through vertical farming: A global review of technologies and sustainability
2026Khushal Balram Muradi, V Siva Teja, Harshavardhan Mohan Totawar, Laxmi PS, Choudhari Balaji Keshavrao, Yogesh V Wayal, N Sravya, Jagmal P Khatana, Sruthi T, Deshmukh Sarita Babarao · International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research · Global
This study conducted a global review of vertical farming technologies and sustainability. Vertical farming shows significant savings in land and water consumption compared to traditional agriculture, yielding high production and quality for leafy greens, herbs, and some fruiting species. However, high energy demand remains a significant barrier to its sustainability and economic feasibility. Key research gaps include crop improvement for controlled settings, energy-efficient system design, renewable energy integration, and standardized frameworks for sustainability evaluation.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceIntegrating vertical and urban farming into sustainable food systems: a comprehensive review
2026Thulisekari Prasanna, Guda Bhargavi, Murugesan Mohana Keerthi · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This comprehensive review synthesizes literature on vertical and urban agriculture within sustainable food systems, identifying production models and technical advancements. Empirical evidence indicates these systems can improve water/land-use efficiency, yield stability, and reduce post-harvest losses. However, significant challenges persist, including high capital and energy prices, inadequate crop diversification, technical complexities, and regulatory constraints, impacting their economic viability.
Economic viabilityUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyDigital agricultureToward digital community economies: California’s alternative food networks navigating market digitalization
2026Sasha Pesci, Ryan E. Galt · Agriculture and Human Values · United States (California)
This paper, based on 28 semi-structured interviews with direct market farmers in California, explores their experiences with market digitalization. It finds that while some farmers perceive online tools as eroding social and environmental connections, others view them as supportive of these connections, highlighting tensions in market digitalization for Alternative Food Networks.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsCSA & TeikeiCommunityStrategi Adaptasi Petani Perkotaan Melalui Pemanfaatan Media Hidroponik di Kota Semarang
2026Ivan Adidharma Riswandaputra, Nugroho Trisnu Brata · Jurnal Ekologi Masyarakat dan Sains · Indonesia (Semarang)
This study in Semarang City, Indonesia, analyzed the utilization of hydroponic systems by urban farmers engaged in commercial cultivation. Hydroponics serves as an adaptive strategy to address land scarcity, enhancing spatial efficiency, increasing cultivated plant numbers, and improving crop quality. However, implementing hydroponic systems faces challenges including relatively high initial investment costs, the need for meticulous and consistent maintenance, and consumer markets that differ from conventional agriculture.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePENDAMPINGAN MANAJEMEN PEMASARAN BERBASIS URBAN FARMING+ KEPADA PELAKU USAHA HIDROPONIK ORGANIK DI MAOSPATI MAGETAN
2026Fahmi Alamil Huda, Paramita Wisnuwardhani · BESIRU Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia
This community service program addressed the critical constraint of limited marketing capability affecting small-scale organic hydroponic enterprises in Maospati, Magetan, Indonesia. Using a Participatory Action Research approach, the Urban Farming+ empowerment model improved the partner's marketing capability, strengthened product quality management, and facilitated initial business linkages. The study indicates that despite adequate production capacity, limited marketing remains a significant challenge for these enterprises.
Economic viabilityEconomicsCommunityDigital agricultureVertical Farming: Innovations, Challenges, and the Future of Sustainable Urban Agriculture
2025Gokulakrishnan G, Navaneetha Krishnan T, Tamilselvan D, S Sanjeevkumar, Devaganesh A, Janani N, K. Arunadevi, Balaji Kannan · Madras Agricultural Journal · Global
This review explores vertical farming, a method that uses stacked layers in controlled environments for year-round crop production with reduced resource use. It assesses the environmental and economic advantages of vertical farming, while critically examining its limitations, including high energy demands and limited crop diversity. The study highlights that despite its potential, vertical farming faces challenges regarding economic viability due to high energy consumption.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsPolicySoilless Agricultural Systems: Opportunities, Challenges, and Applications for Enhancing Horticultural Resilience to Climate Change and Urbanization
2025Imran Ali Lakhiar, Haofang Yan, Tabinda Naz Syed, Chuan Zhang, Sher Ali Shaikh, Md Rakibuzzaman, Rahim Bux Vistro · Horticulturae · Global
A systematic review of soilless farming (SLF) systems globally identified their role in enhancing horticultural resilience in urban and peri-urban settings. SLF offers advantages like water conservation and increased yield, but faces significant challenges. High setup costs, substantial energy demands, and the requirement for specialized technical expertise continue to limit its widespread adoption.
Economic viabilityClimate changeUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureMathematical Optimization of Vertical Farm Locations Advancing Sustainable Agriculture in Saudi Arabia
2025Amjad Aljuhani, Rahaf Baghdadi, Wafaa Alzahrani, Deemah Aljuhani · · Saudi Arabia
This study examined the feasibility of vertical farming in Saudi Arabia, using mathematical optimization to identify optimal locations. A mixed-integer linear programming model, developed with AIMMS software, incorporated infrastructure compatibility, water availability, and energy consumption. Results identified seven optimal locations across five cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Tabuk, and Khamis Mushait—ensuring efficient lettuce production at minimized costs. However, challenges such as high energy requirements and initial investment costs persist.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceSolución de agricultura vertical inteligente y sostenible basada en IoT para los desafíos agrícolas en Pakistán
2025Sadiq Ur Rehman, Muhammad Adeel Mannan, Muhammad Ahsan Shaikh, Muhammad Uzair · Memoria Investigaciones en Ingeniería · Pakistan
In Pakistan, an IoT-based solar-powered smart vertical farming system was proposed to address agricultural challenges like water scarcity. A six-week trial cultivating cherry tomatoes showed the system achieved a 60-65% yield increase, 40% energy saving, and 28.57% water consumption reduction compared to traditional methods. However, limitations included the small trial size and lack of long-term environmental impact data, and scalability challenges such as cost, maintenance, and local restrictions need to be addressed for wider adoption.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureSmart Irrigation Systems Using AI to Optimize Water Usage
2025Belghachi Mohammed · Advances in environmental engineering and green technologies book series · Global
Smart irrigation systems, integrating AI, machine learning, sensors, and IoT, aim to revolutionize agricultural water management by optimizing water usage tailored to crop needs and environmental conditions. While these systems offer benefits such as water conservation and improved yields, their implementation faces significant challenges including high costs, the need for technical expertise, data management complexities, and connectivity issues. Future prospects focus on advanced AI models, better sensors, renewable energy, and policy support to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of these systems.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceInternet of Things-Based Smart Precision Farming in Soilless Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges for Global Food Security
2025Monica Dutta, Deepali Gupta, Sumegh Tharewal, Deepam Goyal, Jasminder Kaur Sandhu, Manjit Kaur, Ahmad Ali AlZubi, Jazem Mutared Alanazi · IEEE Access · Global
This comprehensive study, utilizing bibliometric and comparative analysis, explored the opportunities and challenges of IoT-based soilless agriculture for global food security. While these advanced farming methods offer benefits like increased productivity and resource conservation, they also face significant challenges including high initial investment, technological dependency, and energy consumption. The research highlights current trends and research gaps in this field.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsEconomic and Environmental Tradeoffs in Cultivating Short Food Supply Chains With Urban Indoor Agriculture
2025Joseph Seong, H. Christopher Peterson, Simone Valle de Souza · Agribusiness · Global
This study evaluated the economic and environmental sustainability potential of urban indoor agriculture (IA) using a multi-objective optimization model (IA-MOO) integrating a bioeconomic model for lettuce production. Results indicated that earnings before taxes (EBT) and energy use efficiency (EUE) are generally not conflicting objectives, except for a short production schedule frame.
Economic viabilityEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureVanguard Visions of Vertical Farming: Envisaging and Contesting an Emerging Food Production System
2024Mascha Gugganig · Science Technology & Human Values · Global
This paper explores the arguments and internal disagreements among experts popularizing vertical farming (VF), an emerging urban food production system. While VF is promoted for its space efficiency and independence from weather, it faces debates regarding its unsustainability and high energy costs for producing a limited range of perishable foods. Findings indicate that disagreements among vanguards reveal that VF is seen as one of many solutions, not the sole answer.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsA Smart Hydroponics System for Sustainable Agriculture
2024Supriya Jaiswal, Gopal Rawat, Chetan B. Khadse, Sohit Sharma · BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS eBooks · India
Hydroponic farming, adopted in urban India to meet food demands, faces shortcomings including higher initial costs, complex nutrient discharge, and energy requirements for microclimatic conditions and skilled labor. To address these issues, a smart hydroponic farming architecture is discussed, aiming to reduce human intervention and water wastage using wireless sensor networks and IoT.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureUrban–rural linkageEconomicsMapping the Dynamics of the Vertical Farm: A Biopolitical Epistemology of Valuation
2024Hayley Birss · Social Epistemology · Canada
This study examines Infarm's vertical farming practice, a venture capital-backed solution for climate change mitigation, by mapping its actor-network. The analysis reveals that Infarm's vertical farming and its climate change mitigation logics are shaped by venture capital and its biopolitical epistemology of valuation. This framework conceptualizes life, biology, and climate in terms of political economy, indicating that economic viability is a primary driver.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsPolicyRealising the potential of urban agriculture in Kingston, Jamaica
2024Sonia Gatchair · · Jamaica (Kingston)
In Kingston, Jamaica's largest urban space, systematic efforts to stimulate the adoption of commercially viable urban agriculture have lagged. This study examines the facilitators and impediments to commercially viable urban agriculture, arguing that knowledge transfer and the adoption of innovative, technology-driven approaches to farming, financing, and marketing are needed for success.
Economic viabilityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePolicyDigital agriculturePengembangan Pemasaran Digital Berbasis Media Sosial Instagram Untuk Meningkatkan Daya Jual Hasil Produksi Pada Kelompok Tani Urban Farming “Keputih Bersemi” Kelurahan Keputih, Kecamatan Sukolilo, Kota Surabaya
2024Brilliant Adam Ramadhani, Shalahuddin Fathan, Jessica Putri Margaretta, Putri Wahyu Pebrianti, Ika Sari Tondang, Nuriah Yuliati · Kegiatan Positif Jurnal Hasil Karya Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Surabaya)
The Urban Farming Group "Keputih Bersemi" in Keputih, Surabaya, faces challenges in optimally selling and distributing its produce, such as pak choi and lettuce, due to conventional marketing methods. The majority of group members are elderly and unfamiliar with technology, limiting sales and distribution. The abstract suggests that digital marketing via Instagram and WhatsApp could increase visibility and sales.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsElderlyDigital agricultureUrban farming with rooftop greenhouses: A systematic literature review
2023Annie Drottberger, Yizhi Zhang, Jean Wan Hong Yong, Marie-Claude Dubois · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · Global
This systematic literature review, based on 45 articles, examined the benefits and challenges of rooftop greenhouse technology. While benefits include optimized land use, increased profitability, good yields, and resource efficiency, the review identified significant challenges. These challenges include additional investment and operational costs, limited availability of flat roofs, and various regulations, which hinder the widespread adoption of rooftop greenhouses.
Economic viabilityClimate changeEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agriculturePemanfaatan Pemasaran Digital sebagai Media Penjualan Produk Pertanian Perkotaan oleh Kelompok Tani Empelan Terbin
2023Kadek Dwi Pradnyani Novianti, Ni Kadek Sukerti · WIDYABHAKTI Jurnal Ilmiah Populer · Indonesia (Denpasar)
This community service activity focused on the Empelan Terbin Farmer Group in Denpasar City, which practices urban agriculture but faces challenges in distributing and selling its produce. The group's agricultural products were often only shared locally or discarded due to excess harvest, indicating a lack of effective sales channels. To address this, the activity provided training and assistance in digital marketing via Facebook to help the group introduce its products to a wider audience and generate profit for sustainable land management.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsCommunityFood lossAquaponics and Urban Farming Solutions in the US: A Comprehensive Review - Assessing the Viability, Benefits, and Challenges of Integrating Fish and Plant Farming in Urban Settings
2023Olasumbo Olagoke-Komolafe, Joshua Oyeboade · International Journal of Multidisciplinary Futuristic Development · United States
This study comprehensively reviewed the viability, benefits, and challenges of urban aquaponics systems in the United States. Through a systematic literature review and content analysis, significant environmental benefits were identified, while economically, long-term benefits potentially outweigh initial setup costs. Challenges such as technical complexities, financial barriers, and the need for specialized knowledge are also notable.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsCommunityFood educationVertical Farms: A Sustainable Solution to Urban Agriculture Challenges
2023Wenhao Zhu · Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology · United States (Chicago)
This paper focuses on the characteristics of vertical farms, using The Plant vertical farm in Chicago as an example to describe its design and performance, and analyze its advantages and design principles. The success of The Plant is attributed to saving raw materials and waste disposal costs through waste utilization, staggered electricity consumption, and insulated structures to maximize energy cost savings. However, while small-scale pilot projects of vertical farms have achieved some success, many constraints remain for scaling them up due to high construction and operation costs and high technical levels.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsClimate changeControlled Environment Agriculture and Its Ability to Mitigate Food Insecurity
2023Aubrey Lynn Garcia, M.A.C. Griffith, George Paul Buss, Xiusheng Yang, John L. Griffis, Sarah E. Bauer, Ankit Singh · Agricultural Sciences · Global
This review investigates Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) as a potential solution for food security, discussing its rationale, growth factors, and technologies. While indoor farming systems like vertical farming enhance urban access to food, the cost of CEA remains high, though it is decreasing due to technological advances.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPredictive Analysis of Customer Churn in Community-Supported Agriculture Based on RFM Modeling
2023Xiaoying Yan, Mei Yin, Renren Li · Atlantis Highlights in Computer Sciences/Atlantis highlights in computer sciences · China
High customer turnover is a significant challenge in China's Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) industry. This study utilized RFM models (Recency, Frequency, and Monetary) and algorithms to regularly rank and classify the consumption ability of CSA customers. This was achieved by analyzing their recent purchase time, number of times of consumption, and consumption data.
Economic viabilityCSA & TeikeiEconomicsDigital agriculture