Research & reports

Tomcy Thomas, Susan Cherian · Journal of scientific research · India (Cochin City)

This exploratory study investigated rooftop gardening trends in Ernakulam city, India, with a sample of 102 respondents. It found that urban homemakers cultivate various vegetable and ornamental plants, partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic for self-sufficiency. The study concluded that irrigation techniques and pest management among the sample should be improved.

Daren Shi-chi Leung · China Perspectives · China (Guangzhou)

The Chinese community-supported agriculture (CSA) movement advocates for peasant farming and food sovereignty, promoting "ethical" food often through intermediary certification. However, controversy exists among CSA activists who question the effectiveness of certification in improving consumer-producer relationships. This paper presents an alternative approach focusing on strengthening participatory culture within the consumer-producer nexus, based on an empirical study of Chengxianghui (CXH) in Guangzhou and outlining a "convivial agriculture" framework.

Ratna Zulfarosda, Vita Fibriyani · JMM - Jurnal Masyarakat Merdeka · Indonesia (Jawa Timur)

This activity aimed to empower the community of Ngemplakrejo Village, Pasuruan, East Java, to practice hydroponic cultivation as a solution for food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process involved introducing cultivation techniques, demonstrating hydroponic planting, and community practice. The activity resulted in increased community understanding of plant cultivation and hydroponic techniques, and participants successfully practiced sowing.

Richard Kwasi Bannor, Mohit Sharma, Helena Oppong-Kyeremeh · International Journal of Social Economics · Ghana; India

This study interviewed 650 urban agriculture farmers in Ghana and India to assess household food security and the impact of urban agriculture participation. Ghanaian households were found to be mildly food insecure, while Indian households were moderately food insecure. Demographic, economic, institutional, and health factors influenced urban food security and urban agriculture differently, and the extent of urban agriculture participation positively influenced food security.

Tri Widianto, Lukman Ahmad Imron P · WASANA NYATA · Indonesia (Sukoharjo)

In Palur Village, Mojolaban District, Sukoharjo Regency, Indonesia, 17 community members received 4 months of training and assistance on "Budikdamber" (fish cultivation in buckets) starting October 25, 2020. This activity involved practicing an aquaponics system combining catfish farming and water spinach hydroponics in limited land, aiming to enhance food security and promote economic self-reliance among participants. Following the training and assistance, participants were able to improve food security through Budikdamber.

Elvrida Rosa, Daniel Daniel, Yasid Arianda, Hendra Hendra, Khalid Alfarasi · · Indonesia (Banda Aceh)

This community service activity provided aquaponics technology training to housewives in Lamglumpang Village, Banda Aceh City, Indonesia, focusing on fish and vegetable cultivation. The training aimed to offer solutions for optimal use of yard land to support family nutrition and food security, especially for urban communities. Using participatory methods, the activity resulted in an increase in the community's ecological intelligence, with the average ecological competence value rising to 47, categorized as very good.

Mi Sun Park, Seongmin Shin, Haeun Lee · Forest Policy and Economics · Democratic People's Republic of Korea

This research examined urban greening policies in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by applying media content analysis to articles on urban green spaces published in the Rodong Shinmun newspaper from 1959 to 2018. The analysis, using an ecosystem service approach, identified three media frames: diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational. Findings revealed edible trees highlighted as provisioning services, disaster control and environmental protection as regulating/supporting services, and recreation/landscape as cultural services, with frames also proposing strategic planning and encouraging public participation.

M. S. Swaminathan · · India

This study examines the agricultural situation in West Bengal, noting that livestock ownership is more egalitarian than land ownership and that the region has abundant fish ponds. It emphasizes the importance of adopting integrated pest management procedures to prevent pesticide pollution in fish cultivation water. The abstract also states that socially underprivileged communities gaining access to agricultural and homestead land through land reforms is a significant step in eliminating poverty.

Teuku Fadhla, Mutia Ismail · · Indonesia

This program aimed to assist the Tunggai Hamlet community in Banda Aceh City, Indonesia, to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation in hydroponic urban farming and marketing. The program sought to increase the entrepreneurial mindset of Tunggai Hamlet youth, enhance innovation capabilities in hydroponic and marketing businesses, and produce agribusiness products via healthy hydroponic systems for commercial use.

K. C. Sahu, M. K. Satapathy · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development · India

This paper discusses rooftop gardens as an alternative for vegetable production in Bhubaneswar City, India. While rooftop agriculture can improve ecosystem services and enhance urban biodiversity, vegetable production activities on rooftops are limited due to multiple challenges that need to be addressed for widespread implementation. Rooftops are not a total solution for food security but can supplement other urban food sources.

Nurlela Machmuddin, Ahmad Mubarak, Rayhana Jafar, Jufriadi Jufriadi · Jurnal Ilmiah Membangun Desa dan Pertanian · Indonesia (Tarakan)

This study, conducted in Tarakan City, Indonesia, from April to June 2021, analyzed public perception of hydroponic technology for independent household food procurement. Respondents, with an average age of 30 and high school education, showed a heightened perception (81.11%) of hydroponics. The highest perceived benefits included healthier plants, maintained quality, easy and practical maintenance, and a high selling price compared to conventional methods.

Trecy Austin, Marleni Marleni · Jurnal Abdimas Indonesia · Indonesia (Palembang)

This community empowerment activity in Sialang Village, Palembang City, Indonesia, involved training and direct practical assistance to implement urban farming, specifically hydroponics and BUDIKDAMBER (fish and vegetable cultivation in buckets). The program aimed to enhance food security and support the Climate Village Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants from RT 19 and RT 65 RW 13 gained understanding of urban farming methods and their health and economic benefits, showing readiness to adopt these practices in their households.

Margareth Margareth, Oekan S. Abdoellah, Martha Fani Cahyandito, Kinanti Indah Safitri · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Fakultas Pertanian UNS · Indonesia (Bandung)

This qualitative study examines the implementation of urban farming in Bandung City, Indonesia, from a political ecology perspective, focusing on market, service, and institutional interactions, and product marketing chains. The research identifies policy failures, where city government agricultural policies were insufficient to meet residents' food needs, necessitating top-down urban farming innovations. It also notes market failures due to public dissatisfaction with available products, driving bottom-up urban farming initiatives by independent organizations. Funding sources and operational cost efficiency strategies differ between government-led and independent urban farming efforts.

Institut Teknologi Bandung, Ernawati Ernawati, Indratmo Soekarno, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Joko Sıswanto, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Yadi Suryadi, Institut Teknologi Bandung · Jurnal Keteknikan Pertanian Tropis dan Biosistem · Indonesia

This study discusses the need for competent human resources to support urban farming in Indonesia, given limited land and busy urban populations. It notes that only 24% of the community intends to engage in urban farming, and only 2% actually do, resulting in suboptimal outcomes. The research emphasizes that strong cooperation between the government and community is essential for urban farming to contribute to food security.

Kinanti Indah Safitri, Oekan S. Abdoellah, Yusep Suparman, Akhmad Zainal Mubarak, Margareth · International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning · Indonesia (Bandung)

The existence of subsistence, semi-commercial, and commercial urban agriculture in Bandung Metropolitan, Indonesia, was investigated through qualitative research. Data was collected via observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation with 50 individuals from farmer groups and local government. Findings indicated that each category of urban agriculture had distinct characteristics and motivations, with subsistence agriculture in intra-city areas aiming to reduce food dependence, and semi-commercial and commercial agriculture in surrounding regencies focusing on economic development or profit maximization. The study concluded that policy instruments for sustainable agricultural management are needed for urban agriculture in Bandung Metropolitan.

Novisrayani Kesmayanti, Abdul Aziz · Journal of Community Service · Indonesia (Palembang)

This community service activity (PKM) in Palembang, Indonesia, addressed challenges faced by PKK RT 19 RW 05 community members, including limited yard space and farming knowledge. The program provided education, technology transfer, demonstrations, and assistance for independent hydroponic urban farming. The activity successfully helped community members maximize the use of narrow yard spaces, transforming them into productive environments for family food supply through hydroponic cultivation.

Marselina Wali, Agustina Pali, Bonaventura Conradus Kelala Huar · International Journal of Community Service Learning · Indonesia

A community-service report introducing hydroponic modern farming as an alternative requiring little land in Potulando sub-district, a densely populated, farmland-scarce area in the town centre of Ende Regency, Indonesia. The method applied was water-culture hydroponics, in which roots are placed in a nutrient-rich solution, and training targeted the village head, sub-district staff, and selected resident representatives. Results showed that hydroponic vegetable cultivation was more efficient than conventional cultivation in terms of land use and productivity, and was found suitable for application as an urban farming system.

Sri Adiningsih, Siti Rahayu Nadhiroh, Farapti · Acta Scientifci Nutritional Health · Indonesia

This 2021 study examines Indonesia's Home Gardening Zone (HGZ) program, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture to increase dietary diversity and food security, with the aim of assessing why community gardeners participate in the program and exploring its potential impacts on community and household food security.

Gusti Nur Asla Shabia · BHUMI Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan · Indonesia

Drawing on an ethnographic study of Garten Coop, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group in Freiburg, Germany, and comparing it with CSA studies in other countries, this paper examines how CSA could contribute to Indonesia's agrarian movement. It finds that CSA reorganizes management of production resources in a more democratic, autonomous and equal way, provides farmers income certainty through consumer commitment and a solidarity economy, and fosters independence through sustainable agriculture principles — thereby indirectly supporting the agrarian movement by helping farmers maintain their land and farming operations and by creating a forum for organizing farmers and consumers.

Farida Rahmawati, Ana Chusniatul Hidayah, Aida Nur Faizah, Ahmad Falahuddin, Muhammad Adryan Okuputra · Journal of Social Development Studies · Indonesia

This study examined the actions and innovations of Gelar Gulung, a citizen movement in Tegalweru Village, Tegalrejo District, Yogyakarta City, Indonesia, aimed at meeting residents' food needs independently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a descriptive method with qualitative data gathered through observation, interviews, and literature review, the study identified five categories of action: (a) participatory mapping of self-reliant residents, (b) food emergency response, (c) social action for economic independence, (d) livelihood network building, and (e) urban farming (food-stock gardening). The report states these activities received a positive response from stakeholders, having increased food security during the pandemic and supported long-term economic independence.

Deni Irfayanti, Putri Wahyu Ningsih · Jurnal Pembelajaran Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (JP2M) · Indonesia

A report on a community-service program (KKN-PPM) run by Universitas Islam Malang (UNISMA) as part of its COVID-19 response in Telanaipura District, Jambi City, Indonesia. To secure protein intake for middle-class households during the pandemic, participants used small plots of land around homes to raise catfish and grow vegetables such as water spinach through "budikdamber" (bucket-based fish farming). The output was used to meet household food needs and support local household economics; the report states this urban-farming activity strengthened both food security and community mutual-aid ties.

Dwi Aditiyarini, Catarina Aprilia Ariestanti, Aniek Prasetyaningsih, Timothy Charles Wherrett, Hardo Firmana Given Grace Manik, Katon Wijana · Sendimas 2021 - Seminar Nasional Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

A community-service report on Kampung Sayur Bausasran, a pilot urban agriculture district in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where the COVID-19 pandemic had reduced productivity and community engagement. Academics from Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) ran an empowerment program covering six farmer groups and one Food Yard Movement (Gerakan Pekarangan Pangan) plot, addressing human resources, business, institutional, and environmental development through training, application and simulation of knowledge and technology. Needs were first mapped through interviews with each farmer group's leadership; needs differed by condition, location and land area, but all centered on agriculture-related support, and simple hydroponic cultivation was introduced as one solution. Supporting activities included beautifying the vegetable village and improving management and administration, aimed at developing the area toward education-based ecotourism. The program was well received by village officials and farmer group leaders, producing greened vegetable alleys, diversified processed products, and a website and social media for promotion. The report identifies remaining needs for more detailed mapping of each farmer group's potential and for human-resource development programs to raise community motivation for advancing urban agriculture.

Pedada Sindhusha · Journal of Food & Nutritional Disorders · India

As India's urban population grows, demand for food and food expenditure are rising while farmland is being converted to residential, commercial or industrial use. The paper argues that rooftop vegetable farming is a feasible option to address these pressures and the contamination risks of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, by shortening food transport distances, raising food-production awareness, and supporting nutrition, health and economic status. It states that rooftop vegetable farming can supply quality, hygienic vegetables, lower household vegetable spending, improve air quality and absorb carbon, and reduce climate change effects. No data or survey results are presented.

Karto Wijaya, Asep Yudi Permana, Syarip Hidayat, Heru Wibowo · Jurnal Arsitektur ARCADE · Indonesia (Bandung)

Bojongsoang Village in Bandung Regency, Indonesia, faces a loss of green space due to urbanization, rendering productive land unproductive. This study aims to determine an Eco Village model in the Paralon village area, utilizing urban farming and eco-architecture concepts, to support the development of sustainable cities by optimizing available land and space, including vertical planes. The abstract does not present specific findings or results from the implementation of such a model.

Rahmi Achmad, Muh Jamil, R M Rukka, Sitti Bulkis, Rahmadanih Rahmadanih, A Amrullah · Jurnal Sosial Ekonomi Pertanian · Indonesia (Makassar)

This study in Makassar City, Indonesia, aimed to understand the existence of rice farming land, identify strength and weakness factors for farmers, and determine priority strategies for maintaining rice farming land. Informants included farmer group heads and government representatives. Using qualitative descriptive analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study found that rice farming land physically covers 2,636 hectares. Key strength factors included agricultural products for family food and income, while weakness factors included land ownership, unproductive land, and limited government support. The priority strategy identified was enhancing agricultural production facilities and infrastructure.