Research & reports

Faiz Albar Nasution, Yofiendi Indah Indainanto, Andry Anshari, Muhammad Imanuddin Kandias Saraan, Piki Darma Kristian Pardede, Imam Fahreza · Journal of Peasants’ Rights · Indonesia

This qualitative descriptive study, using a literature review approach, examines how Medan City's agricultural policies can enhance food independence and improve the economy. The findings indicate that urban agriculture plays a significant role in community empowerment through food self-sufficiency and can create new work opportunities. Increased cooperation between local governments and the community, supported by policy protection and aid for plant management and marketing, is critical for its success.

Puti Praharypha Rizkhy, Ida Widianingsih, Ramadhan Pancasialwan · JANE - Jurnal Administrasi Negara · Indonesia (Bandung)

This article describes how Bandung City, Indonesia, adapted to food security challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic through its "Buruan Sae" Urban Agriculture program, implemented since 2014. The program, active in nearly 151 urban villages, aims to increase public awareness for self-provision of food and has contributed to the city not experiencing food availability problems since the pandemic began.

Ilyas Renreng, Luther Sule ., Andi Mangkau ., Zuryati Djafar, Nasruddin Azis ., Muhammad Syahid, Fauzan Fauzan, Abir Sakka, Arfandy · JURNAL TEPAT Applied Technology Journal for Community Engagement and Services · Indonesia

This paper introduces Smart Hydroponics, an automatic solar-energy-based system, as a solution for urban farming in Bontomarannu, Gowa Regency, Indonesia. The local community faces limited knowledge of utilizing narrow land for hydroponics, and while Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponics is efficient, its high operational costs (e.g., pump electricity) and complex maintenance are barriers. The Smart Hydroponics technology aims to enable modern, small-scale home cultivation with automation and energy independence.

Diffa Nida Haniyah, Endah Djuwendah, M. Gunardi Judawinata, Agriani Hermita Sadeli · MIMBAR AGRIBISNIS Jurnal Pemikiran Masyarakat Ilmiah Berwawasan Agribisnis · Indonesia (Bandung)

This qualitative case study in Bandung, Indonesia, examines Seni Tani, an organic farming business applying the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) concept. Seni Tani practices regenerative organic agriculture, producing organic products without synthetic chemical inputs and operating as a socially responsible urban farming enterprise. Its CSA program, CSATani Sauyunan, fulfills the principles of partnership, locality, solidarity, and producer-consumer relations, categorized as a small-scale, informal Multi-Farm, Subscription, and Mixed-Vegetable CSA.

Ulfi Andrian Sari, Hayyun Lathifaty Yasri, Azizatur Rahmah · AKSIOLOGIYA Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Purwantoro)

In Purwantoro RW 5, Indonesia, a wick system hydroponics training program was implemented using the ABCD (asset-based community development) method. The program focused on utilizing terrace land and targeted RW 5 administrators and PKK mothers. A survey found that 52% of participants understood the training as "good" and 48% as "very good"; 84% "strongly agreed" that hydroponics is an alternative for farming in narrow spaces, and 72% "strongly agreed" it can address food security.

Isti Fajaroh, Eko Murdiyanto, Budiarto Budiarto · Jurnal Dinamika Sosial Ekonomi · Indonesia

This qualitative case study investigated the implementation of urban farming by the Srikandi Women Farmers Group (KWT Srikandi) in Depok District, Sleman Regency, Indonesia, the role of stakeholders, and the community empowerment process. Urban farming began with planning by the community and KWT Srikandi, and its produce was utilized for community consumption. The process led to community independence and restored social functions such as camaraderie, cooperation, and mutual assistance in a heterogeneous society.

Silvia Silvia, Fermanto Lianto · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia

This study proposes a redesign of the aging Kebon Kacang public housing complex in Indonesia based on a self-sufficient design concept developed during the Covid-19 pandemic, using descriptive-analytical research, literature study, and case study methods. The redesign incorporates rainwater harvesting, food production, green roof, and green balcony elements aimed at making the building and its occupants mutually productive, and presents a mixed program including residential and commercial functions such as food markets, food courts, cafes, and kiosks, alongside children's education facilities, hydroponics, gyms, and playgrounds.

Yuliana Maria Mediatrix, Pius Sugeng Prasetyo · KnE Social Sciences · Indonesia (Bandung)

As part of Indonesian government food policy innovation, qualitative research combining a literature review and in-depth interviews examined Bandung's 'Buruan Sae' urban farming program, which originated in the city and spread to other sub-districts and kelurahan. Carried out mainly by community groups adapted to local cultural conditions, the program is described as a movement to supplement city food that provides economic, social, health, environmental, and educational benefits, leading to the conclusion that this kind of food policy innovation can encourage production to meet food needs and promote the sustainability of urban food systems.

Supreeya Wungpatcharapon, Brenda Pérez‐Castro · Urbanisation · Thailand

Community networks associated with Thailand's Baan Mankong collective housing credit programme, supported by the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), were examined through online surveys, focus group discussions, and case studies to understand how low-income urban citizens, highly vulnerable to COVID-19, coped with the pandemic. CODI placed a 3-month moratorium on Baan Mankong loan repayments and released an urgent $4.5 million COVID-19 relief fund nationwide; 228 initiatives proposed by urban poor networks received approximately $2.2 million and were implemented between April and September 2020, mobilizing community kitchens, community-run shops, community gardens, income-generation activities, and online and offline community markets through diverse collective management mechanisms. The article argues that the social infrastructures of care and solidarity embedded in the Baan Mankong community networks were crucial to coping with COVID-19 and form the basis for long-term rehabilitation and further development of low-income communities in Thailand.

LENI MARIA TARIGAN, I MADE SUDARMA, I Nyoman Gede Ustriyana · Jurnal Agribisnis dan Agrowisata (Journal of Agribusiness and Agritourism) · Indonesia

A study of the agricultural sector's role, leading sectors and competitiveness in Tebing Tinggi City, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, over 2015–2019, using descriptive analysis, the Location Quotient (LQ) method and shift-share analysis, prompted by rapid conversion of agricultural land in the city. Results show agriculture is not the largest contributing sector, with food crops driving most of the sector's growth; the city has 12 leading and 5 non-leading sectors, with a projected future of 5 leading, 7 prospective, 5 lagging sectors and no mainstay sector. Wholesale/retail trade and vehicle repair, and health and social services, were the sectors with good competitiveness. The study recommends using household yards for community gardens, fish ponds and livestock, implementing a "Culinary Tourism City" concept, and strengthening support for lagging sectors to maintain food security.

Yue Jin, Hee Sun Choi, Daniel C. Elkin · · China

A mixed-methods study of three representative communities in Nanjing, China, examining the value of edible community gardens against the backdrop of COVID-19, associated government area controls, restricted access to daily food supplies, and elderly residents' unfamiliarity with online shopping. The study used GIS mapping of Nanjing's food system, site observations, questionnaires and interviews, analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods. It found that most elderly residents want and value edible community gardens, especially during the epidemic; that the gardens offer opportunities for new companionship and leisure; and that edible landscaping increases communities' ornamental value and interactivity. The gardens were also described as beneficial for sustainable food production in terms of ecological environment, economic benefit, social regeneration and local development.

Hazen Arrazie Kurniawan, Nurhajijah Nurhajijah, Wiidani Lubis, Imam Hartono Bangun · Jurnal Abdi Insani · Indonesia

In Pematang Ganjang village, Indonesia, where rice farmers relied on a single, seasonal source of income, a community service program used a participatory rural appraisal approach with lectures, demonstration plots, and mentoring to teach a fertigation system for growing cauliflower on unused yard land. The program reports that farmers responded enthusiastically to the technology transfer and adopted urban farming on yard plots as a supplementary income source beyond their original single livelihood.

Dea Widyaningsih, Ait Maryani, Achmad Musyadar · Jurnal Penyuluhan Pertanian · Indonesia

A survey of 40 youth farmers aged 15-35 across three sub-districts of Tarogong Kidul, Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia, examined preferences toward urban farming between April and June 2020. Using descriptive analysis, multiple linear regression, and Kendall's W concordance analysis, the study found that 65% of respondents favored urban farming, with location type and market orientation identified as the influencing factors.

Indri Ajeng Setyoningrum, Atika Indah Cahyani, Reza Gusmanti · KOLOKIUM Jurnal Pendidikan Luar Sekolah · Indonesia

A study of "Kampoeng Hidroponik," a social innovation run by the village youth group Rupa Desa in Sobontoro Village, Indonesia (2022), analyzes its business potential as a pioneering social enterprise aimed at improving slum-like settlement conditions. Using qualitative research with a PEST analysis of internal and external environmental conditions followed by a SWOT analysis, based on observation, interviews, and literature review, the study proposes product-management development strategies: product differentiation for customers, developing processed hydroponic vegetable products, building customer loyalty programs, marketing to upper-middle-class customers such as restaurants and hotels, joining hydroponics and business communities to disseminate information, and strengthening social-media promotional content. For strengthening community empowerment, it proposes increasing the capacity of Rupa Desa members as educational-tourism facilitators and managers, creating visit and training programs for students, universities, and homemaker groups, increasing urban-farming campaign activity, and raising awareness among surrounding community members who have not yet joined.

Trifenaus Prabu Hidayat, Christine Natalia, Agustinus Silalahi, Andre Sugioko, Marcellina Chyntia · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Charitas · Indonesia

This report describes a community-service program by the Faculty of Engineering at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, in partnership with Sampora Village's Nagrek hamlet, focused on Mom's Farm, an organic hydroponic and urban-farming vegetable business. The business faced unclear and inefficient distribution to consumers, which was seen as a cause of reduced income for its farmers, and the program provided online marketing assistance using digital marketing apps such as Grab and Tokopedia.

Nitya Rao, Sheetal Patil, Maitreyi Koduganti, Chandni Singh, Ashwin Mahalingam, Prathijna Poonacha, Nishant Kumar Singh · · India

Despite growing interest in and recognition of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) as a nature-based solution, empirical evidence on its role in reconfiguring environmental functions (biodiversity, waste management, water recycling, micro-climate regulation) and social wellbeing (food and nutrition security, gender relations, work burdens, land tenure, community ties) in India was limited. This compendium, produced by the project "Urban and peri-urban agriculture as green infrastructures" (UPAGrI), which began in 2019 to address that gap, collects 29 innovative UPA practices from cities across India, loosely grouped into four themes: environment and sustainability; food, nutrition, and livelihood; gender and subjective wellbeing; and urban policy and planning. Written mostly by practitioners themselves, the case studies document UPA innovations and serve as a repository of lessons for peer-to-peer learning among practitioners.

Adhitya Rahmat Taufiq, Deden Mulyana, Mohammad Soleh Soeaidy, Allicia Deana Santosa · ETHOS (Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian) · Indonesia (Tasikmalaya)

This community service program in Gunung Tandala Village, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia, aimed to provide knowledge and training on alternative resources for food independence to embroidery industry workers who lost jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The training included simple urban farming and catfish cultivation in buckets, offering basic knowledge and practical examples. The activity successfully increased participants' literacy regarding food independence stability and their understanding of potential market opportunities.

Kusuma Wardhani Mas’udah, Zainal Abidin Achmad, Ita Sabilah Putri Chayani, Niken Nathania, Rahadyan Naufal A, Yusuf Fadhilah, Bayu Frastra Wiranegara · Abdi-mesin Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Teknik Mesin · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In Dupak village, Krembangan district, Surabaya, Indonesia, due to limited land, KKN Group 38 of UPN "Veteran" East Java University conducted outreach and assistance on Budikdamber development. This initiative aimed to meet household food needs and support the local economy through the marketing of urban farming produce. The program provided knowledge to the community, contributed to nutritional satisfaction to prevent stunting, and enhanced skills for household food self-sufficiency by utilizing narrow home yards for growing vegetables and fish in buckets.

Deni Nasir Ahmad, Luluk Setyowati · Jurnal Pengabdian Magister Pendidikan IPA · Indonesia

This community service activity in Indonesia introduced urban farming to students via Zoom meetings as a solution for food security and economic value during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program involved assessing partner needs, presenting urban farming concepts, and evaluating participant feedback. Participants responded positively, asking many questions and finding the information relevant to their needs, with some even developing new ideas for agricultural technology products.

Zakiyah Amini, R. Eviyati, Dina Dwirayani · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Fakultas Pertanian UNS · Indonesia (Cirebon)

A community service team from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati (UGJ) Cirebon, Indonesia, provided guidance to women in the Bumi Arum Sari housing complex on microgreen cultivation techniques. This activity aimed to educate residents during the COVID-19 pandemic to engage in positive gardening activities at home and enhance family food security. Microgreens are easy to cultivate, require minimal space, and provide healthy vegetables for families.

Fenny Puspitaningrum, Desy Safitri, Nurul Istiqomah · Edukasi IPS · Indonesia

This qualitative study in Indonesia investigated why ROSAI members in Alam Indah studio housing, Depok, chose urban farming for food independence. Findings indicated ecological factors (suitable soil/water), economic factors (reducing expenditure while maintaining nutrition), and social factors (healthy living, neighborly harmony) as reasons. Their urban farming activities included organic farming, an organic market for excess crops, and farming training.

Ammar Abdurrohman, Fikri Fadly Arkasala, Noviamas Nurhidayah · Desa-Kota · Indonesia

This study explores the application of a resilient city concept, specifically urban farming, for food security in Surakarta City, Indonesia, especially during a pandemic. It proposes that urban agriculture, including home and community farming using methods like soilless cultivation and vertical culture, can achieve food self-sufficiency despite limited land. Based on a literature review and an ecological urban development approach, the research identifies potential food crops like porang, sweet potatoes, cassava, taro, and various vegetables that are easy for residents to cultivate.

Rieska Maharani, Zainal Rusdi, Lynda Yunyver, Reza Mega Novalia, Adiva Salsabila · Jurnal Abdidas · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This activity was conducted in RT 07 RW 03, Kendangsari District, Tenggilis Mejoyo Village, Surabaya City, to enhance food security and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. A student team from Muhammadiyah Surabaya University's Accounting Study Program, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Education and Culture's Holistic Village Development and Empowerment Program, provided hydroponic instruction, introduction, practical training, and guidance on selling and diversifying hydroponic products. The program indirectly fostered local food security and resilience and generated new income for residents affected by the pandemic.

Ari Handriatni, Sajuri Sajuri · PENA ABDIMAS Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Pekalongan City)

Bandengan village in Pekalongan City, Indonesia, is a flood-prone area where tidal floods made agricultural activities difficult. Extension activities and mentoring were conducted for the youth of Bandengan village, presenting Urban Farming concepts (verticulture, hydroponics, aquaponics, polybags) suitable for limited, flood-affected land. This program impacted the community's enthusiasm to carry out agricultural activities, enabling them to produce vegetable and fruit crops and potentially increase income.

Camille Frazier · Hong Kong University Press eBooks · India (Bengaluru)

This paper examines motivations for organic terrace gardening among middle-class individuals in Bengaluru, India, who grow food for home consumption. Gardeners respond to worsening health and environmental conditions, but class and caste inequalities limit their engagement with a broader community of urban food producers. These inequalities restrict the transformative potential of organic terrace gardening as an intervention, indicating a critical finding regarding equity.