Research & reports

Darmawan Setia Budi, Hapsari Kenconojati, Mohammad Faizal Ulkhaq, Muhammad Yusuf Taufiqur Rohman, Shovia Finny Anggraeni, Farahnovita Yuliyanti, Ahmad Alie Fikri, Shierly Zaissiliya Clarissa Lifani, Hikam Zainul Qolbi · ABDIMAS Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Asia

In Muncul fish farm, Banyuwangi, Indonesia, a community partnership program was introduced to enhance catfish production using a bucket farming system. This program significantly improved catfish productivity and profitability through the application of humic acid, and participants gained knowledge and skills in intensive bucket fish farming, increasing their productivity and income.

Indri Wulandari, Teguh Husodo, Dede Mulyanto, Oekan S. Abdoellah, CIKA ASTI AMALIA, SHOFI SITI FARHANIAH · Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity · Indonesia (Bandung City)

This quantitative study investigated urban home gardening's role in food security in Rancasari Sub-district, Bandung City, Indonesia, sampling housing over 20 years old in Manjahlega and Mekarjaya Villages. The findings revealed that ornamental plants dominate home gardens in the area, with residents prioritizing aesthetic value over food, medicine, or spice production. Consequently, home gardening has not been fully effective in supporting urban farming and food security in Rancasari Sub-district due to the prevalence of ornamental plant selection.

Euis Elih Nurlaelih, Sitawati Sitawati, Santi Kusuma Fajarwati, Dewi Ratih Rizki Damaiyant · JAPI (Jurnal Akses Pengabdian Indonesia) · Indonesia (Malang)

A community assistance activity was conducted in Penanggungan Village, Malang City, Indonesia, aiming to improve knowledge and skills in plant maintenance for urban farming in a densely populated residential area with limited cultivation land. Although residents were already practicing urban farming, plant maintenance was not optimal. The activity, which included preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, data analysis, and reporting, resulted in positive impacts such as better plant arrangement and increased knowledge among the residents.

Lian Agustina Setiyaningsih, Sri Widayati, Laksni Sedyowati, Muhammad Alwi Risqillah, Sufiyanto, Diyah Sukanti Cahyaningsih · I-Com Indonesian Community Journal · Indonesia

This community service project in Malang City, Indonesia, aimed to increase harvests for the Cemara Hijau women farmers' group and support food security in urban housing areas. The project implemented a hydroganic system and provided training to improve harvest effectiveness. The results indicate the potential for expanding the hydroganic movement to involve more residents and address contemporary food security challenges.

Iyad Ghazal, Reema Mansour, Marie Davidová · Sustainability · Palestine (Nablus)

This research investigated the potential of farming on facades and roofs across an entire neighborhood. A case study of 22 multi-floor residential buildings in Nablus, Palestine, was conducted using developed parametric tools. Findings indicated that existing facades could provide 28,500 m2 of farming area, with half of facades and all roofs suitable for daylight-based farming. The study found that facades could fulfill 350% of tomato and 237% of cucumber consumption, while roofs could produce over 315 times the local sweet pepper consumption. A modular facade system was designed with an average system cost of $55.2/m2 and a total cost of $1.7M.

Abhinaya Ramadhikka, Ofita Purwani, Sri Yuliani · Arsitektura · Global

This paper focuses on implementing energy and food self-sufficiency in residential buildings by integrating urban agricultural facilities. It aims to fill a literature gap by discussing self-sufficiency specifically in residential buildings with urban agriculture on a microscale. The study formulates how to apply the self-sufficiency concept by calculating residents' food and energy needs and outlining how to achieve them.

Magda Beatriz de Almeida Matteucci · · Brazil (Trindade)

This case study characterized the diversity of agricultural products from family urban agriculture in Trindade-GO, Brazil, by applying 20 questionnaires to urban properties. Producers in Trindade adopt diverse production practices, notably cultivating lettuce, cilantro, kale, and chives. They primarily use simple, ecological techniques for fertilization and pest/disease control, including organic fertilizers, to avoid harmful and costly agrochemicals.

Leigh Whittinghill, Major Ballard, Anju Chaudhary, Smriti Kandel, Caitlin Mullins, Pradip Poudel · HortScience · United States

This study analyzed runoff water quality from four different nutrient management treatments (conventional fertilizer, organic fertilizer, low-compost + organic fertilizer, and high compost) in raised beds and small plastic pool container plots in the United States. Water samples, collected monthly, were analyzed for pH, conductivity, color, turbidity, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, total phosphorus, and potassium. While significant differences existed between raised beds and container plots, these did not translate to meaningful water quality differences for most variables, except for nitrate-nitrogen. The conventional fertilizer treatment showed greater or more variable nutrient leaching than other treatments.

Pavlo Ardanov, Annette Piorr, Alexandra Doernberg, Sonja Brodt, Jennifer B. Lauruol, Iryna Kazakova, Valentyna Movchan, Lucas A. Garibaldi · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Global

This study assessed information from multiple sources to design diversified cropping systems with vegetables and spice crops for cold temperate climates, integrating trait and observational data from databases, farmer surveys, and literature reviews. While farmers achieved medium to good levels of their main goals, they failed to reach desired multifunctionality with their polycultures. None of the individual data sources provided a comprehensive dataset, but combining them increased crop combination options while also increasing planning and management complexity.

G Charan Tej, P. Lakshmi, B. Savitha, A. Meena · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development · India (Telangana)

A survey was conducted in Telangana state, India (Hyderabad, Warangal, and Karimnagar) to assess urban dwellers' knowledge of terrace gardening. Among 120 respondents, 52.50% showed a high level of knowledge, but gaps were identified regarding terrace gardening layout (54.17% unaware), crop rotation benefits (53.33% unfamiliar), seedling trays (52.50% lacked knowledge), drainage hole uses (50.83% unaware), and protecting plants from harsh weather (47.50% lacked understanding).

· Middle East Journal of Applied Sciences · Egypt (Giza)

An experiment was conducted in a rooftop garden in Giza, Egypt, during the summer seasons of 2021 and 2022 to determine the most suitable substrate mixture for producing hot pepper in pots. Four mixtures—perlite:coco peat, sand:rice husk, sand:coco peat, and sand:coco peat:rice husk—were evaluated for growth and yield. The perlite:coco peat mixture recorded the highest values for plant height, leaf number, fresh and dry weights of aerial parts, root fresh and dry weights, and yield per m². The sand:rice husk mixture showed close results, leading to both being considered suitable for pot-system hot pepper production.

Ade Irma Suryani, Abdul Robby Banny, Ajeung Nurlatifah, Albie Aditya Samudra, Asep Endih Nurhidayat, Bayu Eka Supriatna, Dzikri Maulana, Ijang Samsu Rijal, Rohman Rohman, Wendy Leo Sanjaya, Tita Kartika Dewi · Jurnal Informasi Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Subang)

This community service activity aimed to optimize the role of urban farming extension using verticulture techniques in Buana Green Housing, Soklat Village, Subang Regency, Indonesia. Conducted from July to November 2023, the activity resulted in increased knowledge and implementation of verticultural cultivation among the Buana Green Housing community.

Ester Juliana Sitohang, Ayu Putri Ana, M Reza Alfikri, Dwi Retno Mulyanti, Indah Grasulina Sitohang · Nawadeepa Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community service program implemented in Lubang Buaya Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta, in 2023 aimed to promote urban farming using used bottles to strengthen local food security. The program successfully improved participants' knowledge, skills, and insights in hydroponic plant cultivation, stimulated household-scale business development, and contributed to environmental improvement.

Sunik Sunik, Sari Perwita R.I. · Jurnal BisTek PERTANIAN Agribisnis dan Teknologi Hasil Pertanian · Indonesia

This 2023 qualitative study in Indonesia analyzed the characteristics of organic urban farming actors and their considerations for choosing irrigation systems. The majority of respondents were of productive age, had a high school education, and worked as civil servants, private sector employees, or entrepreneurs. Key considerations for selecting an irrigation type included complexity, time availability, and ease of implementation.

Nadia Damika Putri, Acep Purqon, Ramadhani Eka Putra · Jurnal Biodjati · Global

This study investigated the effect of growing space on maize productivity using the three sisters cultivation system (corn, beans, pumpkins) in grow bags. A completely randomized design with three treatments (75 L, 100 L, and 200 L grow bags) and six replications was used. The highest corn productivity was observed in the 200 L grow bag (318.40 g/cob), but it was not significantly different from the 100 L grow bag (316.20 g/cob). The study concluded that the 100 L grow bag was the optimal growing space for containerized corn using this technique.

Bismark Osei, Mark Edem Kunawotor, Paul Appiah-Konadu · International Journal of Social Economics · Africa

This study examined measures for achieving a sustainable environment to mitigate climate change in 54 African countries from 2000 to 2020, using panel data and a Cox proportional hazard model. Findings indicate that carbon farming, rooftop gardens, and renewable energy positively contribute to a sustainable environment. However, governance adversely affects the objective of achieving a sustainable environment.

Akhi Akter, Md. Forhad Hossain, Jubayer-Al Mahmud, Nasrin Sultana, Md Maruf Hasan, Tahira Begum · Journal of Agroforestry and Environment · Bangladesh (Dhaka)

This study investigated the impacts of vermicompost, sawdust, and cowdung on cauliflower growth and yield on a rooftop in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 2019 to July 2020. The experiment found that vermicompost (10 t ha-1) combined with recommended chemical fertilizers resulted in the highest yield (19.75 t ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (3.33). The results indicate that rooftops are suitable for cauliflower production using vermicompost.

Iván Nocua, Karen del Pilar Galindez, J. Cordero, Astrid Del Pilar Ardila Bernal, Julián Serna, Omar David Guzmán, Cristian Fernando Camargo Muñoz, Mauricio Parra‐Quijano · Agronomía Colombiana · Colombia (Bogotá)

An urban garden was established within a greenhouse at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá campus, to investigate the effects of weeds and compacted soil in a biointensive approach. Over a two-month measurement period, 13 weed species were identified, with Veronica spp. being the most represented, and Poaceae family plants predominant within the orchard. While soil properties improved with the biointensive method and organic material addition, the presence of weeds highlights challenges and limitations in establishing urban gardens.

Xiaojing Wang, Xiaoguang Zhang · Applied Sciences · China (Qingdao)

This study evaluated the agricultural production potential of urban rooftop spaces in Shibei District, Qingdao, China, using GIS spatial analysis. After analyzing inventory standards for idle rooftop space and conducting statistical analysis, the research found that the rooftop area of urban buildings in Shibei District is 383.3 hectares, with an annual vegetable production potential of 25,800 tons, capable of supplying 184,300 urban residents. It concluded that the idle rooftop area in cities and its potential for agricultural production are significant.

Juan Pablo Robayo, Jemay Mosquera Téllez · limentech Ciencia y Tecnología Alimentaria · Colombia (Cúcuta)

A descriptive and interpretive qualitative study in Cúcuta, Colombia, documented the implementation of home gardens aimed at self-management and community empowerment. The research involved families in the Rudesindo Soto, La Pastora, and Belén neighborhoods, utilizing semi-structured interviews, field work, and documentary analysis in collaboration with the Catholic Church. Findings indicated that participants experienced advantages and benefits in terms of self-management, cooperation, and community empowerment, leading to the formulation of a public policy proposal to support home gardens at the municipal level.

Siti Hasanah, Mustika Widowati, Sri Hardiningsih, Vita Arumsari · KACANEGARA Jurnal Pengabdian pada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)

This community service project targeted women in the "Ijo Royo-Royo" Women Farmers Group in Tambakaji, Semarang City, Indonesia, addressing their limited experience in utilizing narrow home yards for planting and lack of skills in waste management. The project provided assistance in creating urban gardens for daily food independence, managing plastic waste for vertical planting, and processing vegetable and fruit waste into healthy drinks and organic fertilizer. The aim was to increase the economic value and benefits of urban backyard farming.

Radenka Kolarov, Mirjana Ljubojević, JOVANA SUCUR ELEZ, Mirjana Adakalić, BILJANA LAZOVIC, Dejan Prvulović, Sezai Erċışlı, DJORDJE MALENCIC · TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY · Serbia

This study compared bioactive compounds in pomegranate genotypes from a continental region (Sremski Karlovci, Serbia) and a Mediterranean urban region (Bar, Montenegro). Analysis of phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, pigments, vitamin C, acidity, pH, and sugars, along with DPPH and ABTS antioxidant tests, revealed that pomegranates grown in the continental area had significantly higher amounts of biochemically active compounds than those from the Mediterranean urban region. This suggests adaptation to continental conditions, with continental samples showing greater antioxidant potential and proanthocyanidins content.

Chloé Duffaut, Florence Brondeau, Julien Gasparini · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · France (Ivry-sur-Seine)

This study tested the effects of feral pigeon guano as a fertilizer on cherry tomato plants in an urban environment on a rooftop in Ivry-sur-Seine, France. In June 2017, 15g of guano was added to 15 cultivation bags, while 15 control bags received only water. After 15 days, guano-treated plants were taller and tended to have more flowers, and the total number and mass of harvested cherry tomatoes were one to two times higher than the control. However, the average mass per fruit was not affected by the treatment. The study concluded that pigeon guano is an efficient local fertilizer for cherry tomato plants in urban areas.

Muh Abror · Suluh Abdi · Indonesia (Sidoarjo)

A community service project in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, aimed to empower the Aisyiyah branch community through organic urban farming using polybags. The project provided training in organic plant cultivation and verticulture, and developed organic nutrient production from household waste to ensure fertilizer availability. The initiative successfully produced starter fertilizers, including biolactobacillus and Local Microorganisms (MOL).

Belal Ahmad, Gaurav Kumar · KAAV PUBLICATIONS eBooks · Global

This paper discusses urban horticulture as the integration of plants with the urban environment. In developing nations, urban gardening already makes a major contribution to food security and nutrition, and many urban areas worldwide are attempting to improve sustainability by encouraging urban farming and increasing urban greenery. New approaches like vertical gardening and hydroponics are suggested to improve existing urban cropping systems, ensuring access to fresh produce.