Research & reports

Nur Annisa, Tri Indriani, Irfan Irfan, Ahmad Anugrah Wahidin, Muhammad Kadir · Jurnal Pelayanan dan Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia

At Inkiya Farm in Bajubodoa village, Maros district, challenges in lettuce production using the NFT system included crop damage or failure due to natural disturbances, limited space, low drought resistance, and suboptimal growth. This activity introduced a Bell-Siphon ebb-flow hydroponic system as a cheaper, environmentally friendly, space-saving, and more optimal plant production solution. The activity provided partners' women members with at least 6 ebb-flow hydroponic units, installation, and training on building the system to increase production, reduce crop failure risk, and improve lettuce production.

Eka Triana Yuniarsih, Muslim Salam, Muhammad Hatta Jamil, Andi Tenriawaru · Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity · Indonesia (Makassar)

This study aimed to identify key factors influencing the adoption of technological innovation in urban farming (ITUF) in Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Primary data was collected through a structured survey of 334 randomly selected individuals from 14 sub-districts and analyzed using Binary Logistic Regression. The study revealed that eight variables, including farming knowledge and experience, education, and involvement in urban farming organizations, significantly influenced the adoption rate.

J. V., Juan M. Corchado, Diana M. Giraldo, Sara Rodríguez-González, Fernando De la Prieta · Internet of Things · Global

This paper presents an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for monitoring urban gardens, aiming to mitigate hunger and promote food sovereignty. The platform includes a social design layer for knowledge transfer and a recommendation system based on evolutionary computation to optimize urban orchard productivity. Experiments in urban gardens validated the models, showing an increase in urban lettuce orchard productivity between 25% and 45%.

Manuel J. Ibarra, Irwin Estrada Torres, Mario Aquino Cruz, Ronald A. Rentería Ayquipa, Sergio F. Ochoa, Juan Ochoa · Sensors · Peru

This article presents an experience report of family-scale urban gardening in Peru, where a prototype IoT system and mobile application were conceived, implemented, and used, considering the cultural aspects of the gardeners. This experience yielded positive results in tomato production, primarily demonstrating the system's capability to self-adapt its behavior to the cultivation conditions of these urban gardeners. This is the first IoT system known to iteratively adjust its behavior to improve adoption chances by a specific end-user population (gardeners).

Amirul Asyraf Zhahir, Mohd Ilias M Shuhud, Siti Munirah Mohd, S.K. Kamarudin, Azuan Ahmad, Rossly Salleh, Norita Md Norwawi · Computer Science and Information Technologies · Global

This study proposes a conceptual model for technology adoption in smart urban farming, building upon a previous systematic literature review. The model is founded on Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) and incorporates factors from other technology adoption models. The research aims to provide insights into the components influencing technology adoption in smart urban farming, offering a framework for future studies and applications.

Ahmya Ayaka, Fujita Hanako, Hide Haruka · Techno Agriculturae Studium of Research · Japan

This study explored the impact of verticulture technology on urban agriculture in Japan using a mixed-methods approach, including field experiments, farmer surveys, and production record analysis. The findings indicated that verticulture technology significantly improved crop yields by up to 30% per square meter and reduced water usage by 50% compared to traditional urban farming. It also lowered greenhouse gas emissions and minimized land use, demonstrating its potential for enhancing food production efficiency and sustainability in urban settings.

Francesca Monticone, Antonella Samoggia, Elena Viti · Journal of Consumer Behaviour · Italy

This mixed-methods study investigated Italian consumers' perceptions, barriers, and drivers for urban food purchasing and consumption apps, and analyzed the features of existing apps. The desire to eat fresh and seasonal food was identified as the main driver for buying from (peri)urban agriculture initiatives, and a mismatch emerged between consumer needs and app features. Sustainability food profiles and information on seasonal food are preferred by consumers but are present in a limited number of apps.

Alifia Revan Prananda, Cornelius Rangga Surya Kusuma, Daniel Gunawan, Terra Rhebekka, Galih Slamet · Manfaat Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia

A community-service report on introducing solar-powered hydroponic urban farming in Rejowinangun Selatan village, Magelang City, Indonesia (population density 7,361 people/km²), in response to declining green open space linked to rising population density and land concretisation, which affects food security and self-sufficiency. The programme delivered various approaches to educate and directly involve residents in building hydroponic systems integrated with solar panels, using renewable-energy technology to enable food production in limited spaces such as house terraces. It reports that this increases food independence and security, and that the vegetables produced are described as healthier owing to minimal pesticide use.

Logman Arja · International Journal of Architectural Computing · United States

This paper presents clay 3D-printed hydroponics as an urban farming and architecture proposal, reporting on a pilot study conducted in Atlanta, Georgia. It positions additively manufactured clay hydroponics as a soilless agriculture technique and discusses it in relation to urban food self-sufficiency. The paper is described as the first in a series on technology implementations.

Erin Ingram, Patricia Wonch Hill, Dena Harshbarger, Jenny Keshwani · Education Sciences · Global

A 2024 study examines the impact of the "Garden TOOLS" garden-based technology integration program on science teaching self-efficacy among 39 elementary pre-service teachers (PSTs) enrolled in a 300-level science methods course in the rural Midwest, US. Using the STEBI-B instrument to measure change in personal science teaching efficacy (PSTE) and science teaching outcome expectancy (STOE) before and after the intervention, it found that participants in the Garden TOOLS professional development workshops showed a statistically significant increase in PSTE from pre- to post-workshop, and that participants who also implemented the Garden TOOLS lesson in practicum showed increases in both PSTE and STOE.

Arturs Kempelis, Inese Poļaka, Andrejs Romānovs, Antons Patļins · Future Internet · Global

A study on microclimate monitoring for urban agriculture (region unspecified) evaluated convolutional neural networks (CNNs) forecasting relative air humidity, soil moisture, and light intensity sensor readings from thermal images. Forecasts for relative humidity and soil moisture achieved higher accuracy, with Mean Absolute Percentage Errors of 10-12%, attributed to their strong dependency on thermal patterns captured by the CNNs, while light intensity forecasting was less accurate due to more complex and variable urban factors. The authors acknowledge that implementing these technologies in urban agricultural models still poses challenges.

Aisyah Aisyah, Paranita Asnur · ETHOS (Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian) · Indonesia

A report describes assistance in cultivating large chili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) using an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart farming system in the greenhouse of the Ulul Ilmi Islamic Boarding School in East Jakarta, Indonesia. The program introduced IoT technology for automated irrigation, greenhouse temperature monitoring and fertilization maintenance, aiming to improve cultivation efficiency and productivity through guidance and technology implementation. The assistance results show that the IoT implementation improved efficiency in water, fertilizer and energy use and optimized the growth of the red chili plants, enabling more accurate and responsive crop management in response to environmental changes and healthier, more productive plant growth.

Djoni Haryadi Setiabudi, Resmana Lim · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bangsa · Indonesia

A community-service report on implementing an IoT-based fertigation system at the Alam Sari PPPK Petra urban farm in Indonesia, aimed at automating fertilizer application, irrigation and nutrient-concentration control for hydroponic crops. Following on-site observation to define maintenance and installation needs, the team designed, built and tested the hardware and software. Two IoT devices — a fertigation unit and a nutrient-concentration controller — were installed, easing hydroponic maintenance work for farm staff and serving as a teaching tool on information technology for visiting students.

Suhardi Suhardi, Bambang Marhaenanto, Bayu Taruna Widjaja Putra · Pertanika journal of science & technology · Malaysia

Aimed at making urban water-resource management more efficient, this Malaysian study applied and evaluated a soil-moisture-sensor and IoT-based drip irrigation system for urban agriculture. The results showed fair distribution uniformity, with a Coefficient of Uniformity (CU) of 90.15% and 86.58% respectively. An IoT-assisted drip irrigation system that used a Deep Neural Network (DNN) model to meet water requirements produced higher peanut yields than a control irrigation system based on soil moisture alone.

Gunawan Adi Pratio, Siti Nur Rohmah, Muhammad Ali Akbarsyah, Arseto Endro Supriyanto · Jurnal Bengawan Solo Pusat Kajian Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Surakarta · Indonesia

This literature review study examines the concept of urban farming as a solution to agricultural challenges in cities with little or no traditional farmland. Drawing on literature covering urban farming practices in major cities worldwide facing land constraints, it summarizes techniques including hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and use of rooftops or vacant urban spaces. The review finds urban farming can improve access to fresh food, reduce emissions from food transport, and improve environmental quality through increased green space, while also empowering local communities through job creation and resident involvement in food management, and supporting organic waste management by using household waste as fertilizer. However, resource constraints such as water, fertilizer and technology, along with regulatory and policy issues, were identified as the main barriers to implementation, and the paper concludes that collaboration among government, the private sector and local communities is needed.

Rioaldi Sugandhy, Ayi Yustianti, Yoga Nugraha, Rizky Prananda, Yuli Andriani · Indonesian Journal Of Aquaculture Medium · Indonesia

This literature-based, qualitative content-analysis study examined filtration systems used to maintain water quality in small-scale aquaculture ("urban farming" aimed at self-sufficient food security), covering mechanical media (cotton, dacron), biological media (bio balls, ceramic rings) and chemical media (activated carbon, zeolite). It found that the type of filter media used affects water quality, fish growth and survival, and that using vegetables as supplementary filtration also affected water quality.

Raditya Ahmad Rifandi, Rizal Ichsan Syah Putra, Nunung Eni Elawati, Dwi Nur Yuliyani, Dafa Anwarul Fahmi · Cakrawala Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Global · Indonesia

A community outreach project implemented a "smart aeroponic" system — using sensor technology and automatic control — at several urban locations in Indonesia and trained local communities in its operation and maintenance. Evaluation found the system increased energy efficiency by up to 70% compared with Deep Flow Technique (DFT) hydroponics, saving 29.02 kWh for mustard greens cultivation and 41.00 kWh for lettuce cultivation.

Jeri Ramadhan, Irman Hermadi, Imas Sukaesih Sitanggang · EDUMATIC Jurnal Pendidikan Informatika · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A study developed a decision support system for selecting urban farming crop types for Jakarta's Balkot Farm program, using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method. It followed an SDLC prototyping methodology (communication, quick plan, quick design modeling, prototype construction, and deployment/delivery with feedback), with data collected through interviews and literature review. The result was a web application with menus for alternatives, criteria, subcriteria, rating match and results; black box testing and user acceptance testing confirmed the system correctly displayed menus matching land criteria according to stakeholder needs.

Pei-Yuan Chen, Chuan-Ching Pang, Guan-Yi Sung · Heliyon · Global

This study analyzes how evapotranspiration and substrate moisture variations affect indoor temperature reduction from a green roof, developing two multiple linear regression models: an operation-stage model based on field observations and an integrated planning-stage model combining hydrological and building energy simulations. The operation model achieved RMSE 0.64C and adjusted R2 0.55, the planning model RMSE 1.02C and adjusted R2 0.80, with maximum summer indoor temperature reduction reaching 10.65C and an average of 5-6C.

· Wikipedia · Singapore

According to the English Wikipedia article 'Vertical farming', Sky Greens Farms opened the world's first commercial vertical farm in Singapore in 2012. It is three stories high and currently has over 100 nine-metre-tall towers. It is cited as the starting point of commercialized urban vertical farming.

TechCrunch · TechCrunch · United States

TechCrunch reported that vertical farming company Bowery Farming ceased operations on November 4, 2024. The company had raised more than $700 million and was valued at over $2 billion in its 2021 funding round, but had gone through multiple rounds of layoffs in 2023. The article places this alongside the bankruptcies of AeroFarms and AppHarvest as evidence of a broader downturn in the vertical farming sector.

Annie 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.

Novianti Indah Putri, Zen Munawar, Rita Komalasari, Iswanto Iswanto, Hernawati Hernawati, Dandun Widhiantoro · Darma Abdi Karya · Indonesia

A prototype digital farming system was developed for farmer groups in Indonesia, based on participatory action research. This system integrates IoT technologies such as Arduino UNO, solar panels, soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and automated irrigation. The prototype helps monitor and automate routine processes, enabling farmers to maintain the quality of planting media, which was deemed crucial for easier and more efficient plant growth and development.

Dong In Lee, Ji Hwan Lee, Seung Ho Jang, Se Jong Oh, Ill Chul Doo · Applied Sciences · Global

This study proposes a deep learning-based crop disease diagnosis solution for novice urban farmers, integrating Image Captioning and Object Detection models. The Image Captioning model, using InceptionV3 and Transformer, achieved an average BLEU score of 64.96%, demonstrating high performance in generating detailed diagnostic sentences. The Object Detection model, employing YOLOv5, achieved an mAP50 of 0.382, indicating a need for further improvement in detecting infected areas.

Kadek 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.