Research & reports

Fatiha Hakimi, Sara Sehli, Abeer Hashem, Graciela Dolores Ávila-Quezada, Elsayed Fathi Abd Allah · Cogent Food & Agriculture · Morocco

In peri-urban Rabat, Morocco, a study compared the sustainability of 30 farms (15 organic, 15 conventional) using the IDEA method, assessing agro-environmental, socio-territorial, and economic dimensions with 18 indicators. Organic farms excelled in agro-environmental sustainability and demonstrated long-term economic resilience. Conversely, conventional farms, while more productive, faced socio-territorial limitations and economic dependence on external inputs.

Sadiq Ur Rehman, Muhammad Adeel Mannan, Muhammad Ahsan Shaikh, Muhammad Uzair · Memoria Investigaciones en Ingeniería · Pakistan

In Pakistan, an IoT-based solar-powered smart vertical farming system was proposed to address agricultural challenges like water scarcity. A six-week trial cultivating cherry tomatoes showed the system achieved a 60-65% yield increase, 40% energy saving, and 28.57% water consumption reduction compared to traditional methods. However, limitations included the small trial size and lack of long-term environmental impact data, and scalability challenges such as cost, maintenance, and local restrictions need to be addressed for wider adoption.

Sukanya Basu, Brenda Maria Zoderer, Harini Nagendra, Peter H. Verburg, Tobías Plieninger · Nature Cities · India

This study examined the extent and benefits of foraging in urban blue spaces across four major Indian cities through a survey of 1,200 users. It identified three forager groups—rare, occasional, and frequent—whose behaviors differed in frequency and practice. Women, the elderly, and marginalized communities most frequently collected, shared, cooked, and sold edibles. Frequent foragers emphasized benefits related to nutrition, income, culture, and social capital, while occasional foragers appreciated nature- and culture-related benefits, indicating urban blue spaces are vital for food access and resilience.

Elias Nuwagaba, Murindwa Rutanga · East African Scholars Journal of Education Humanities and Literature · Uganda (Mbarara City)

This study explored how state-initiated, unplanned urbanization in Mbarara City, Western Uganda, affects the sustainability of urban farming and urban livelihoods. The research found that rapid, haphazard urban expansion, lacking strategic planning, has led to significant challenges. These include the emergence of slums, illegal land occupations, destruction of wetlands and riverbanks causing water pollution, and inadequate waste management, all negatively impacting public health and urban farming sustainability.

Marni Putri Gea, Restu Jaya Zendrato, Septian Oktani Telaumbanua, Ayler Beniah Ndraha · Flora Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Pertanian dan Perkebunan · Global

This literature review indicates that urban agriculture, utilizing modern techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and rooftop gardens, is an innovative solution for food security in urban areas. Urban agriculture reduces distribution costs, minimizes environmental impact, and offers social and economic benefits. The review concludes that urban agriculture contributes significantly to improving food security and provides a sustainable alternative for the global food system.

Valentina Manente, Silvio Caputo, Flavio Lupia, Giuseppe Pulighe, Jaime Hernández García · Land · Colombia (Bogotá)

This study developed and applied a GIS-based spatial analytical framework to assess the potential of urban agriculture in Bogotá, Colombia, considering varying productivity levels for four urban food garden types: Home, Community, Educational, and Commercial. Data on produce yield, resource use, and social benefits were collected from a sample of urban food gardens. Results indicated that 25% of Bogotá’s surface area possesses suitable physical and social conditions for food growing, with Home Gardens occupying the largest share of suitable land, suggesting that land availability is not a key limiting factor for urban agriculture expansion.

Glenn Pardede, Rosdiana Sijabat, Rizaldi Parani, Jacob Donald Tan, Johana Ataupah, Agung Heru Yatmo, Sekar Dianwidi Bisowarno · F1000Research · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study investigated the emergence pathways of Sustainable Entrepreneurship (SE) through a qualitative multiple-case analysis of hydroponic ventures in the urban agriculture sector of the Jakarta Metropolitan Area, Indonesia. Data were collected via in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis, with thematic analysis conducted across individual, process, firm, and contextual environment levels. Findings revealed an alternative SE pathway, departing from intention-led models, where SE is triggered by personally meaningful concerns and evolves through organic growth, leading to the development of a multi-level pathway model illustrating two SE emergence pathways, whether intentional or reflexive.

Celso Donizete Locatel, R.F. da Silva, Roberto Marinho Alves da Silva · · Brazil

This paper presents the definition and evolution of urban and peri-urban agriculture (AUP) in Brazil, highlighting advances in public policies. It also discusses the National Project of Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Supported by Agroecology and Solidarity Economy (Projeto AUP), which aims to expand and consolidate this practice in Brazil.

Godswill Ntsomboh Ntsefong · IntechOpen eBooks · Global

This chapter examines the global growth and implications of urban agriculture. While urban agriculture enhances food security, it also introduces food safety risks from contaminated soils and infrastructure gaps. Challenges related to heavy metals, waste, and inadequate land planning are evaluated, and barriers such as land access and limited training for producers persist.

Jairo Guzman-Molina, Gustavo Carrazana-Rosales, Daniel Karthe, W. C. Tabares Rodríguez, Serena Caucci · Environmental and Sustainability Indicators · Colombia (Bogotá)

To assess the sustainability of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA) in Bogotá, Colombia, a Composite Indicator (CI) integrating 43 variables from an in-depth survey of over 3,500 households was developed. The study revealed that UPA significantly contributes to Bogotá's environmental resilience, particularly in soil conservation and integrated water management. However, while UPA promises food security, its unstructured value chain limits its impact on economic sustainability.

Brilian Desca Dianingtyas, Nurina Rahmawati · Agrivet Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Pertanian dan Peternakan (Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Veteriner) · Indonesia (Kediri City)

This research aims to determine the capacity of ruminant livestock to utilize processed vegetable waste from the Ngronggo Wholesale Market in Kediri City as silage. A qualitative descriptive design collected data on waste amount, livestock numbers, and capacity. The potential availability of vegetable waste silage in 2024 is estimated at 11,186.56 kg DM/year, 378.11 kg CP/year, and 8,423.48 kg TDN/year. This silage is concluded to be sufficient to supply over 50% of the total animal units in Kediri City.

R. Salazar, Abraham Rojano Aguilar, Jorge Flores Velázquez · Regiones y Desarrollo Sustentable · Mexico (Mexico City)

This study aimed to estimate the volume of rainwater that can be stored in 13 urban gardens in Mexico City over one year to supplement irrigation water requirements. Using precipitation data from 2007-2018 from 12 meteorological stations, the study calculated the 80% exceedance probability for rainwater capture. The 13 gardens were categorized into three climate-based groups to assess their potential for rainwater harvesting, addressing water shortages in the metropolitan area.

Young-Tak Kim, Ke Han, Woo-Hyun Yoo · Industrial Study of Innovation Management · Global

This study aimed to analyze the concepts and characteristics of agricultural-ICT convergence technology and urban agriculture, and to propose development directions and policy implications by reviewing successful cases and related policies in developed countries. The research results indicate that agricultural-ICT technology convergence creates significant synergy effects, and the combination of urban agriculture and IT technology is expected to promote the development of the next-generation 6th industry. Furthermore, this technology supports the scientific advancement of agriculture and livestock farming, and is widely utilized in activating new distribution channels centered on local food and direct transactions.

Aditya Romadloni, Febriyanti Angelia Ginting, Trisno Fallo, Putri Ratna Setyowati · Applied Environmental Sustainability and Technology · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

A descriptive qualitative analysis was conducted on PT Sarihusada Generasi Mahardika's (SGM) COMDEV and CSR program in Padukuhan Kaliurang Timur, Kalurahan Hargobinangun, Upper Sleman Watershed, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The program implements CSR activities including water conservation through catchment infrastructure development, community-based integrated waste management, and urban farming for food security. Additionally, it supports women's economic empowerment through women farmers groups and enhances environmental education in elementary schools, demonstrating a holistic approach combining ecological, economic, and educational aspects.

Lúcio Lorandi de Toledo, Renata Ferraz de Toledo · Periódico Técnico e Científico Cidades Verdes · Brazil (São Paulo)

A case study in São Paulo, Brazil, mapped 152 urban gardens in public spaces, identifying 114 as community gardens. These gardens are predominantly distributed in peripheral regions, coinciding with areas of high socio-environmental vulnerability and food insecurity. The analysis concluded that despite their good geographic distribution, the productive volume of these gardens is assumed to be insufficient to significantly impact access to fresh food in these communities.

Francisco Tomatis, Ana Marí­a Bonet de Viola, Ulises Reno, Ouiam Fatiha Boukharta, Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia · · Argentina

In Argentina, public policies like the Argentine Plan Against Hunger and the ProHuerta Program have stimulated urban agriculture to address the food emergency crisis in early 2024. Despite urban gardening being recognized as a crisis-addressing strategy, the existence and future forms of public policies supporting urban gardens remain uncertain amid recent national political changes. Several barriers to integration and consolidation of these programs are highlighted.

Carmen Vargas, Danielle Brooke, Carolina Venegas Hargous, Rubén Fernández‐Rodríguez, Rebecca Bennett, Felice Jacka, Steven Allender · Obesity Reviews · Global

This umbrella review, covering 2015-2024 and including 20 systematic and scoping reviews, explored food system initiatives and their relationship with human health and sustainability outcomes. Most reviews focused on sustainable diets, food security, and urban agriculture. No clear trends emerged between intervention topics and outcomes, and only 15% of reviews reported on all three sustainability outcomes (economic, social, environmental) combined. The review identified a need for further holistic, multidisciplinary research on food system sustainability.

Budi Widianarko, Inneke Hantoro, Novita Ika Putri, Probo Y. Nugrahedi · Open Agriculture · Indonesia (Semarang)

This study explored the potential of short food supply chains (SFSCs) in Semarang City, Indonesia, to create a healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable food system. Desk studies and focus group discussions revealed Semarang City's readiness for SFSCs, evidenced by an increase in farmer groups (371 in 2017 to 406 in 2021) and urban farming initiatives (8 in 2015 to 113 in 2021). Key commodities include vegetables, fruits, cereals, and tubers, with success factors identified as quality, consistency, market access, technology, government support, institutional strength, and consumer education.

Alexander Imanuel Widjanarko, Nathan Daud, Diva Kurnianingtyas · Journal of Biopesticides and Agriculture Technology. · Indonesia

This study developed Urfalogy, an AI-powered platform, to address urban farming challenges in Indonesia, including limited space, capital, and technology. Using Agile software development and the YOLOv8 deep learning algorithm, the platform achieved optimal performance metrics with a recall of 90.01% and mAP50 of 90.715% at epoch 100. Urfalogy successfully identified environmental components for spatial mapping and supports the complete urban farming workflow from planning to sales.

Lee Jolliffe, Moe Nakashima · · Japan

This chapter explores the use of Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) as a model of collaborative consumption by a tea farm in Japan. The case study, Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms, LLC, is a social enterprise that implements CSA principles, allowing subscribers to receive the coming year's tea harvest and symbolic ownership of a tea field section. This model is driven by socio-economic objectives and aims to build a community of tea drinkers who support the farm.

Tri Astuti, Hasddin Hasddin, Marjani Marjani, M Murini, Muhammad Yusuf, Sabaruddin Sondeng, Safril Kasim, Osu Oheoputra Husen, Ulyasniati Ulyasniati, Musadia Afa · Glasnik srpskog geografskog drustva · Indonesia (Kendari)

This study evaluated the dual role of urban farming in Kendari, a coastal city in Eastern Indonesia, from an economic and environmental accounting perspective. Data analysis revealed that the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector, which includes urban farming, contributes 10.66% to Kendari's Gross Domestic Regional Product, though urban farming's specific value is unrecorded. Kendari's per capita energy consumption (1,121 kWh/person) and annual CO2 emissions (316,560 tons) exceeded Asian Green City Index benchmarks, while air quality remained acceptable.

Neta Dian Lestari, Reva Maria Valianti, Nur Ahyani, Anisah Anisah, Aan Nugraha, Violita Fadhilah · DIKDIMAS Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

This Community Service project aimed to enhance entrepreneurial skills among students at SMAN 1 Payaraman, Indonesia, addressing the underutilization of the school garden and limited knowledge in product processing and marketing. The program, implemented through five stages including training and equipment provision, significantly improved students' practical skills and achieved high participant satisfaction. It also resulted in the successful acquisition of Intellectual Property Rights for developed products, transforming the school community's ability to produce high-economic-value goods.

Emanoel de Jesus Aquino Moreira, Amanda Beatriz de Souza Lopes, Edna Antônia da Silva Brito · Caderno Pedagógico · Brazil (Moju)

In Moju, Brazil, a study conducted from August to November 2024 investigated the importance of urban productive backyards by collecting qualitative and quantitative data from a representative group of residents practicing them. Questionnaires gathered information on food production, consumption frequency, food expenses, sustainable practices, and knowledge of food security. The findings indicate that urban productive backyards in Moju can significantly contribute to improving local food security by providing direct access to fresh, healthy, and low-cost food.

Meznanat Tame, Kassahun Gashu, Bantayehu Ayalew Workineh · City Territory and Architecture · Ethiopia

In north-west Ethiopia, a study analyzed urban expansion driving factors, compensation, and livelihood coping strategies of displaced farmers surrounding medium-sized towns. Primary data was collected through 350 survey questionnaires, two FGDs, and six key informant interviews. Findings revealed that compensation was mostly cash-based, and social relationships and community values decreased after displacement. The study suggests a need for proper urban land governance with a participatory approach that includes farmers, and for appropriate urban planning and land policy to improve urban land use efficiency.

Haili Zhang, Wei Wang, Yichao Wang, Fanxin Meng, Rongguang Shi, Hui Xue, Mir Muhammad Nizamani, Zongshan Zhao · Sustainability · China (Jinan)

This study investigated urban green space (UGS) changes in Jinan, China, over two decades, focusing on urban functional units (UFUs) using remote sensing technology. Findings revealed UGS expansion driven by parks and leisure areas, with economic factors like housing prices increasingly influencing UGS distribution in affluent UFUs. Challenges remain in balancing green space with urban expansion, particularly in commercial and residential UFUs.