Research & reports

Harefan Arief, Mochamad Soelton, Eko Tama Putra Saratian, Tafiprios Tafiprios, Astrid Puspaningrum, Mugiono Mugiono · ICCD · Indonesia

A 2021 report on a community service activity in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic delivered one month of online entrepreneurship education and training to a youth organization (Karang Taruna). Focused on marketing organic hydroponic vegetable urban farming products via information-technology-based programs, the training aimed to build participants' entrepreneurial knowledge and skills; the activity reportedly increased the youth group's creativity and motivation and produced a connection model for microenterprise entrepreneurship.

M. Ichwan, Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar, E Yusni, Tulus Ikhsan Nasution · ABDIMAS UNWAHAS · Indonesia

As a community-service program run from August to December 2020 at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Indonesia, this project set up a waste management unit called SIMALIM, combining smart urban farming methods, at USU's waste disposal site and the rooftop garden of its integrated laboratory, to handle organic waste from campus canteens and nearby residents. It combined black soldier fly (BSF) larvae rearing, eco-enzyme production, and aquaponics (catfish/gabus, tilapia/nila and lele species alongside organic vegetables), training students to participate as eco-campus ambassadors and members of USU's UI GreenMetric team. The project is framed as a model for generating income-producing products from proper organic waste management and improving USU's UI GreenMetric ranking.

Triyono Triyono, Siti Aisyah, Firman Mansir · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Program Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

This community-outreach report describes a project at Baitunnafi Mosque in Kampung Brajan, Tamantirto village (Kasihan district, Bantul regency), a fast-growing suburban area on the outskirts of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The mosque's roughly 1,500 m² grounds included about 500 m² of unused vacant land. The project involved coordination and religious-education sessions on using land for vegetable and fish cultivation as a healthy family food source, vegetable-growing training, and a demonstration of tarpaulin-pond technology for catfish farming. The mosque congregation, the target group, participated enthusiastically across the activity stages; the report states the urban farming activity addressed environmental problems while increasing the food supply and nutrition available to the congregation and surrounding community.

Dwiyana Anela Kurniasari, Siti Alimah, Agus Subhan Prasetyo, Nur Hafif · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Gender & Inklusi Sosial UWP · Indonesia

A study analyzed participation levels among PKK (Family Welfare and Empowerment) members in RT05/RW06 of the Balasklumprik area in Wiyung district, Surabaya, Indonesia, in a hydroponics training program conducted by the Agribusiness Study Program of Universitas Wijaya Putra in July 2020. Participation rates were 100% for seedling-raising training, 80% for hydroponic nutrition training, 86.67% success in the first pakcoy harvest, and 73.33% of members continued hydroponic cultivation after the training; descriptive analysis concluded that PKK members participated well in each activity of the hydroponics program.

In-Kyoung Hong, Hyung-Kwon Yun, Young-Bin Jung, Sang-Mi Lee, Choon-soo Lee · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

A contactless online survey of 1,010 parents of elementary, middle, and high school students across Korea's five major districts, conducted October 22-26, 2020 (5 days) by a Korean survey agency (M), analyzing the data with SPSS for Windows 25.0 and Excel. Respondents averaged 1.83 (children per household), and 52.8% were male. 55.3% were aware of education services using school gardens, and 27.9% had experienced such a service. Overall, 79% considered the service necessary; among parents who had experienced it, 91.8% said it was necessary. Of all respondents, 54.9% were willing to pay for school garden costs; when income tax was used as the payment method, the average willingness to pay was 13,193 KRW, equivalent to a 2.02% tax rate. Parents who had experienced the service showed higher perceived need and willingness to pay than those who had not, but their actual stated amount or tax rate was lower because they knew how the program was actually run.

Sangmi Lee, Hyung Kwon Yun, Young-Bin Jung, In-Kyoung Hong · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

Using South Korea's public service design process (Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 2019) — comprising understanding, discovering needs, defining problems, and developing ideas — researchers analyzed how to manage and operate "urban agricultural parks," a park category established under the 2013 revision of the Act on Urban Parks, Green Areas, Etc. The process generated four idea types for revitalizing these parks: providing information users want, enabling user participation in design, serving as a venue for local communities, and functioning as spaces for health and rest, concluding that such parks need more systematic, diverse operating systems tied to local community revitalization rather than the passive, unified space patterns of conventional urban parks.

Muhammad Taqiyudin Majid, Nurul Aini · Jurnal Produksi Tanaman · Indonesia

Although white radish (Raphanus sativus L.) can be cultivated throughout Indonesia, it is grown in only a few regions; this study examined expanding cultivation via urban farming by testing the interaction between polybag size and planting media composition on growth and yield. Conducted from March to April 2020 in a greenhouse at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, the study used a factorial randomized group design with two factors and three replications: polybag size (30×15 cm = U1, 35×17.5 cm = U2, 40×20 cm = U3) and cocopeat:compost:sand ratio (1:1:1 = K1, 1:3:1 = K2, 1:1:3 = K3, 3:1:1 = K4). Results showed the appropriate media composition depended on polybag size: the 30×15 cm and 35×17.5 cm polybags produced the highest fresh weight with a cocopeat:compost:sand ratio of 3:1:1, while the 40×20 cm polybag with a 1:1:1 ratio increased the fresh weight of radish tubers.

Jin-Hee Ju, Hee-Yeon Song, Deuk-Kyun Oh, Sun-Yeong Park, Yong-Han Yoon · Journal of Environmental Science International · South Korea

This study, conducted from April to September 2019 on the rooftop of Konkuk University's Glocal Campus in South Korea, evaluated growth, physiological responses, and productivity for different intercropping ratios of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) with basil (Ocimum basilicum) on rooftops. Five treatments -- single tomato (TC), 2:1 tomato-to-basil (T2B1), 1:1 (T1B1), 1:2 (T1B2), and single basil (BC) -- were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications (15 plots total), measuring plant height, leaf length and width, leaf number, root length, root collar caliper, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry weight, fruit number, fruit caliper, fruit weight, and sugar content. The comparative analysis found growth, physiological, and productivity responses to be efficient when the tomato-to-basil ratio was 2:1 or 1:1.

Ni’mah Mahnunah, Deani Prionazvi Rhizky, Irfan Rifani · PROSIDING SEMINAR HASIL PENGABDIAN MASYARAKAT · Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted food security and the economy. In Drono Village, Klaten Regency, Indonesia, the concept of urban farming was introduced through community service activities. This activity aimed to provide knowledge and practical experience in urban farming, encouraging residents, especially youth, to further develop urban farming as a business opportunity to improve the economy.

Pinky Hemnani, Diah Anggraini · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

In Jakarta, Indonesia, unhealthy eating habits contribute to urban problems, leading to a need for "third places" for interaction, healthy eating education, and economic improvement through urban agriculture for residents in Rawa Bunga and surrounding areas. This study proposes a design concept for such a "third place," combining an "edutani" community program with a commercial program. The design aims to meet the characteristics of a "third place" and open architecture, including playfulness, conversation, neutrality, accessibility, and accommodation.

Rahmawaty Rahmawaty · Journal of Saintech Transfer · Indonesia (Medan)

This activity at Khansa Kindergarten in Medan aimed to provide environmental education for early childhood by engaging students in planting various types of plants, including vegetables, ornamental plants, fruits, and medicinal plants. The activity involved preparing planting media, planting, and harvesting fast-growing vegetables. The results showed that the children were enthusiastic and happy, and the school environment became greener and more beautiful with the increased vegetation.

Mee-Young Kang, Hyun–Shik Moon, Jeong-Woon Joo, Sojin Kim, Moo-Ryong Huh · The Journal of Korean Island · South Korea

This study compared and analyzed the planting status in school gardens of six elementary schools in Geoje-city, Gyeongsangnam-do, to provide basic data for future school garden development for environmental education. Schools with "meditation forests" had larger garden areas, higher green ratios, and more plant species (66-70 species vs. 32-48 species) and individuals (average 597 vs. 331) than general schools. However, the consistency rate between garden plants and textbook plants was similar (around 40% for meditation forest schools, 36% for general schools), indicating a need to improve this for educational effectiveness.

Ahmad Rifqi Fauzi, Warid Warid, Maulidian Maulidian · Khadimul Ummah · Indonesia (Jakarta)

Since 2016, Trilogy University's Community Partnership Program has disseminated urban agriculture technology and empowered residents of the West Jatinegara Flats in Jakarta, Indonesia. This initiative supports the DKI Jakarta provincial government's urban farming program, aiming to enhance food security and reforestation. Activities included training in vertical farming, composting, and utilizing open land, resulting in residents becoming familiar with urban farming technology and the implementation of hydroponics for net houses.

Sun Jin Jeong, Eun Ha Yoo, Jae Soon Kim, Hye Sook Jang, Geun Woo Lee · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

This study assessed research trends in domestic agro-healing in South Korea from 2010 to 2018 by analyzing 83 selected articles using frequency analysis, t-test, and one-way ANOVA. Agro-healing articles peaked in 2010 and declined thereafter, with most published by the Society for People, Plants, and Environment. The main targets were preschoolers, children, and adolescents (52.4%), often special participants needing special care. Psychological and emotional areas were the most studied dependent variables (42.6%), with programs typically having 9-12 sessions (36.7%) and over 20 participants (39.8%).

Endang Purwatiningsih · · Indonesia

This qualitative single case study describes the role of the school in strengthening students' environmental care character at SMK Muhammadiyah Kartasura in Indonesia. Data collected through interviews, observation, and documentation revealed that the school strengthens environmental care character through five steps: providing advice on environmental values, socializing the importance of maintaining the school garden, involving students in creating or repairing garden equipment, engaging students in cleaning groups, and imposing penalties for breaking cleaning rules.

Wahyu Sulistiadi, Ibnu Malkan Bakhrul Ilmi, Dian Luthfiana Sufyan, Sri Rahayu · Jurnal Bisnis Indonesia · Indonesia (Depok)

A community service activity in Depok, Indonesia, aimed to establish vegetable consumption habits among residents by utilizing limited space for verticulture. The training employed organic and non-organic waste as growing media, using participatory methods and demonstrations. Participants practiced planting vegetables from seeds to harvest using verticulture, and the activity was deemed successful as most participants were able to harvest their own crops.

Rima Melati, Suratman Sudjud, Sarni Sarni · Jurnal Pengamas · Indonesia

This study addressed food security issues in Ternate City, Indonesia, during the Covid-19 pandemic by socializing urban farming with a mixed farming pattern. The socialization involved observation, discussions, and providing horticultural seeds to participating farmers. As a result, participating farmers understood urban farming with mixed farming, with 80% clearing vacant land and 70% planting vegetables from the provided seeds. Farmers still require further guidance on diverse crop maintenance.

Nisa Maidah Rahmawati, Joko Winarno, Agung Wibowo · · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study investigated community empowerment activities through urban farming in Marunda flats, North Jakarta. The flats' irrigation has deficiencies and group working is not yet fair, leading the society to choose to do agriculture activities by themselves. The research identified external factors (natural resources, environments, group dynamics, networking, human resources, policy, facilities and infrastructure) and internal factors (skill, non-formal education, and income) that obstruct empowerment activities.

Jongwoo Kim · · South Korea

This study aimed to propose activation measures for school-based urban agricultural education in South Korea, using focus group interviews with teachers and literature analysis. Teachers reported a lack of school gardens, particularly open-field plots, and difficulties in management, highlighting the need for personnel. They also noted the use of container gardens to compensate for the lack of space and the selection of crops for student harvesting experiences.

윤중환, 허철무 · 한국유기농업학회지 · South Korea

This study analyzed factors influencing urban agriculture participation intention using data from 439 respondents in South Korea. Educational experience, escapist experience, attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control positively influenced participation, with perceived behavioral control having the strongest impact. Household composition significantly moderated the effects of educational experiences, escapist experiences, and subjective norm, but not attitudes or perceived behavioral control.

Melari Shisha Nongrum · · India (Meghalaya)

The North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) facilitated the development of an Indigenous Food System Curriculum to enhance students' knowledge of their environment and food system in Meghalaya, India. Following the implementation of school gardens, schools began harvesting produce. NESFAS aimed to assess students' knowledge of indigenous foods in connection with the impact of these school gardens.

Karalyn Hingston, Natalie Ching · · Vietnam

Vietnam faces high stunting rates and pervasive nutritional deficiencies, especially among children. In Quang Nam Province, a Vietnamese non-profit organization partnered with an Australian-based Rotarian Action Group to improve the nutritional status of children. They implemented school garden programmes in the communes of Tam Phu and Dai Hung in response to high malnutrition rates and lack of access to affordable, nutritious foods. The implementation of these school learning gardens resulted in dramatic improvements in health outcomes for the students.

Andi Iva Mundiyah, Ni Made Wirastika Sari, Sharfina Nabilah, Pande Komang Suparyana · Jurnal Pengabdian Al-Ikhlas · Indonesia (Makassar)

This study reports on a training activity in Makassar City, Indonesia, aimed at providing community members with skills in cultivating oyster mushrooms using limited land or home yards. The training was conducted using a Focus Discussion Group (FGD) method over three days, from January 12 to 15, 2020. Results indicated that some participants understood how to cultivate oyster mushrooms and produced growing media uncontaminated by other fungi.

Jaeho Im, YouJoung Kim, Jinhyun Bae, Seon-Ju Jang · Journal of Regional Studies · South Korea

This study investigated the effect of self-efficacy on college students' participation in urban agriculture in South Korea, using an online survey and statistical analysis targeting urban and architecture majors. The analysis revealed a significant difference in urban agriculture participation levels based on the degree of self-efficacy, showing that for every 1-point increase (on a 5-point scale) in self-efficacy, participation increased by approximately 2.06 times. The most influential variable was attitude towards urban agriculture, with the interaction between gender and experience also found to be highly influential.

Aditya Dyah Utami, Mukti Ahmad Nur Cahya, Olivia Elfatma, Koko Setiawan · PRIMA Journal of Community Empowering and Services · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

Urban elementary schools often have minimal green open spaces, making it difficult to implement green school programs, as seen at SD Islamiyah Warungboto Yogyakarta. Introducing verticulture technology to students is a solution, implemented through preparation, execution, and final stages. Students learn about verticulture generally, then receive training in designing verticulture systems, gaining knowledge of its benefits and supporting green school programs.