Research & reports

Haryati Haryati, Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar, Suzanna Fitriany Sitepu, Jamilah Jamilah, Alida Lubis · ABDIMAS TALENTA Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

A five-month training program (July–November 2019) at two elementary schools in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia—SD Model Al Azhar and SD Namira—taught students to convert used bottles, wood, cans, plastics, shoes, trousers, and oil packaging into vegetable-planting containers, run by the University of Sumatera Utara. The program covered problem identification, site preparation, training, hands-on practice, field guidance, and media dissemination. Reported outcomes were increased student knowledge and understanding of repurposing used materials into planting containers, which were then placed in a corner of the school garden.

Zatalini Putri Permatasari, Ninuk Herlina · Jurnal Produksi Tanaman · Indonesia

Conducted from April to June 2016 in Pandanrejo Village, Bumiaji District, Batu City, Indonesia, this study aimed to determine the appropriate planting-media composition and plant number to increase the growth and yield of kailan (Brassica oleracea var. Alboglabra) in a vertikultur (vertical cultivation) system. Using a randomized complete block design, the results showed that planting-media composition and plant-number treatments significantly affected plant height, leaf number, leaf area, total fresh weight per plant, fresh root weight per meter, and total and root dry weight per plant and per meter, but did not significantly affect total fresh weight per meter, fresh consumable weight per plant and per meter, or fresh root weight per plant.

Reni Nurjasmi, Siti M. Sholihah, Suryani Suryani, Luluk Syahr Banu, Maria Aditia Wahyuningrum · Jurnal Pelayanan dan Pengabdian Masyarakat (Pamas) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community outreach program at RPTRA Bambu Petung in the Bambu Apus urban village, Cipayung district, East Jakarta, Indonesia, trained 20 members of the Bambu Apus Cipayung farmer group (Poktan) using pre- and post-tests alongside lectures, discussion and hands-on demonstration, covering hydroponic cultivation in basins, onion cultivation in polybags and polyculture vegetable cultivation in polybags. Before the activity, participants already had knowledge of urban farming and some already practiced polybag cultivation at home (growing ornamental plants, vegetables and family medicinal plants), though only in their spare time. Afterward, participants reported gaining more knowledge of urban farming techniques, including simple technologies, and expressed enthusiasm for applying them at home and sharing the results with neighbors.

박상희, 우은희, 황경미, 제의숙 · 인간식물환경학회 학술대회 · South Korea (Seoul)

This study investigated the current operational status of rooftop gardens in Seoul, South Korea. It aimed to present the situation of rooftop gardens across the 25 districts of Seoul, as the city expands various urban agriculture projects.

장인수, 서동주, 김홍석 · 지역연구 · South Korea

This study in South Korea explored ways to revitalize urban agriculture based on empirical analysis of experience and subjective perceptions, defining its main functions as enhancing ecological, landscape, and participation values. Survey results showed that exposure to urban agriculture information was higher in large cities, and participation experience was higher with larger residential spaces. While positive responses were high for urban agriculture's functions, negative responses were high regarding perceptions of the surrounding residential environment.

Marina Silalahi, Lauresius Sihotang, Sunarto Sunarto, Fajar Adinugraha, Adisti Ratna Puri · · Indonesia (Cianjur)

A survey was conducted among 21 students at Pusaka Junior High School in Cianjur, Indonesia, to assess their understanding of hydroponic farming. Students knew the definition, methods, maintenance, and production of hydroponic plants, but literally interpreted that media like sand could not be used. While many students had experience with hydroponic farming, they claimed it was more expensive than conventional farming.

Lenny Prastiwi, Diana Vivanti Sigit, Agung Sedayu · Biosfer · Indonesia (Tangerang)

This quantitative correlational study, conducted in May 2015 at SMAN 4 Tangerang and SMAN 5 Tangerang, Indonesia, investigated the relationship between students' perceptions of school gardens and their attitudes towards school environmental management. Using simple random sampling, 214 eleventh-grade students who used school gardens as learning resources were surveyed. The study found a positive correlation (correlation coefficient 0.715) between students' perceptions of school gardens and their attitudes towards school environmental management, with perceptions contributing 51.1% to the attitude.

김정식, 한미영 · Global Creative Leader Education & Learning · South Korea

This study aims to examine whether the current urban agriculture expert training curriculum, implemented nationwide in South Korea, is appropriate for training actual urban agriculture experts in light of urban agriculture development directions. The South Korean government has established an urban agriculture manager qualification system to provide explanations, education, guidance, and technology dissemination related to urban agriculture to enhance urban citizens' understanding.

Jong-woo Kim · · South Korea

This study analyzed domestic and international trends in agriculture and dietary education through a literature review. The findings suggest a need for programs that cultivate awareness of agriculture's link to food, integrate school gardens with dietary habits due to their proven effectiveness in improving eating habits, and develop diverse, locally appropriate agricultural and dietary education programs.

E S Iriani · · Indonesia (Malang)

This research used a deep interview method with Kampung 3G's management in Blimbing, Malang, Indonesia, to study its transformation from a flood-prone slum to an educational vacation village over five years. The study found that strict policy implementation, including punishments for policy breaches, and citizen engagement in programs like urban farming, led to environmental improvements and changes in citizen character. These changes upgraded citizen income through the emergence of micro-small-medium businesses, and Kampung 3G's programs became a reference for other areas, earning it multiple awards.

Nanik Furoidah, Muhammad Juhan · Prosiding Semnas PPM 2018 · Indonesia

This PKM activity aimed to empower PKK groups in RT 45 and RT 46, Dawuhan Lor Village, Sukodono, Lumajang, through urban farming to achieve economic productivity and family food security. The program provided soft skill training in urban farming, hydroponics, and portable cultivation, resulting in an approximately 80% increase in partners' urban farming knowledge, an approximately 80% increase in portable agriculture and composting skills, and a 40% increase in hydroponic skills. Consequently, about 15% of family fresh food needs could be met through self-cultivation, and family food security cadres capable of initiating sustainable urban farming activities were formed.

Huahua Zou, Hai Long Yu · Rikkyo University academic repository (Rikko Roots) (Rikkyo University) · China (Shanghai)

The Knowledge and Innovation Community Garden in Shanghai illustrates the shift in urban regeneration from capital-driven space production to community empowerment. By offering natural education and gardening methods to children, this garden brings urban people back to a walking-friendly world, creates a user-centric space, reinstates residents' power to shape and improve their living space, and rebuilds bonds among community members.

I-Jin Choi, J.J. Lee, Sang Tae Cho, Yoon Ah Jang, Joo Nyung Heo · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · South Korea (Seoul)

This study surveyed 599 elementary schools in Seoul, South Korea, finding that 161 schools operated school gardens with a total area of 65,493m2, averaging 363m2 per school. The primary difficulty in operating these gardens was management (34.2%), and the most needed elements for sustainable operation were physical environment improvement and hiring paid garden staff (each 32%). The main purpose of school gardening was creating educational environments (81.6%), and all schools reported positive educational impacts.

Hari Iswoyo, Katriani Mantja, Nuniek Widiayani, Rahmansyah Dermawan · Jurnal Dinamika Pengabdian (JDP) · Indonesia (Makassar)

This paper describes an urban farming initiative in Makassar, Indonesia, aimed at empowering two schools, SMPN 4 and SMAN 17, to utilize school land for productive cultivation. The project transferred knowledge and skills in urban farming technologies, including those for limited spaces, to support food self-sufficiency. Methods included socialization on land utilization potential and participatory activities involving students in creating urban farming devices and practicing land management.

김경미 · 교육인류학연구 · South Korea

This study investigated the educational implications of Nurpurum School, a 12-year alternative school pursuing the value of "transition," through a case study. Participant observation, interviews, and local data collection revealed that after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, the school restructured its curriculum around the theme of "ecological transition in education," implementing a "Transition Village Project" focused on urban agriculture and appropriate technology. This education was concluded to shift meaning from "made" education to "making" education, from teacher-centered to co-teaching and learning relationships, and from competition to education for coexistence and symbiosis.

Henny Sri Mulyani, Herlina Agustin · Journal Acta Diurna · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This descriptive qualitative study in Surabaya, Indonesia, investigated the communication media used for socializing urban farming programs to poor families across 31 sub-districts. The research found that the Surabaya City Agriculture Office did not use mass media, instead relying on direct, interpersonal communication and technical guidance from facilitators. Messages focused on cultivating short-harvest vegetables in narrow yard spaces to support household food security and increase green spaces.

Vika Adriati Praditriyani · Visualita Jurnal Online Desain Komunikasi Visual · Indonesia (Bandung)

This research designed and tested a mobile application to support urban agriculture activities in Bandung, Indonesia. Targeting community members aged 18-30 with environmental interests, the app provided content on urban agriculture concepts, utilizing narrow land for productive green spaces, and plant care information. Testing showed that most users found a flexible digital medium helpful and necessary for maximizing urban agriculture activities in the city.

Hana Sakura Putu Arga · PrimaryEdu - Journal of Primary Education · Indonesia (Bandung)

This classroom action research, conducted in 3 cycles with 12 meetings, aimed to improve the ecoliteracy of fourth-grade students at SDN 038 Kiaracondong Bandung, Indonesia, through urban farming activities. The study found an increase in students' ecoliteracy, evidenced by behaviors such as planting on school land, using waste for pots, caring for plants, and distinguishing waste types. These improvements were observed in both school and home environments.

김정식, 한미영 · · South Korea

This study examined the suitability of urban agriculture expert training programs in South Korea, surveying students in Daejeon in 2018. Over 60% of students viewed experts as knowledge transmitters, with most motivated by qualification acquisition. While major city programs focused on basic cultivation, the study concluded that current curricula are insufficient for future urban agriculture trends. It recommended adding programs on urban community understanding, industrialization, cooperative agriculture, and farm management.

Rakhmawati Indriani · JMSP (Jurnal Manajemen dan Supervisi Pendidikan) · Indonesia (Malang)

This qualitative case study at SMAN 7 Malang, Indonesia, described the management of its School Garden program, including its background, planning, implementation, evaluation, and supporting factors, as part of the Adiwiyata program. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The study found that the program's success was evident in the school's achievements post-Adiwiyata implementation, and its execution and management were strongly influenced by the support and participation of all school members.

A-Young Lee, Seon-Ok Kim, Sin-Ae Park · HortTechnology · South Korea (Seoul)

A 21-item questionnaire was administered over three weeks in October 2017 to 1,268 students in grades 4-6 at four elementary schools in Seoul, South Korea. 73.7% reported awareness of and need for urban agriculture and 86.8% (n=1,048) expressed intent to participate, while only 35.4% (n=400) recommended it as a learning activity, 20.9% (n=236) cited stress reduction, and 16.2% (n=183) cited leisure/hobby purposes; preferred indoor activities were planting (21.8%) and preferred outdoor activities were harvesting (20.8%). Female students reported greater perception, experience, awareness of necessity, and willingness to participate than male students (P=0.01), and lower-grade students perceived urban agriculture as more necessary than higher-grade students (P<0.001).

Apri Kuntariningsih · Jurnal kesehatan komunitas (Journal of community health) · Indonesia

A qualitative study in schools in Blitar and Kediri, Indonesia, surveyed 30 participants — 10 students, 5 teachers, 5 food vendors at school, and 10 parents. Child malnutrition was linked to children's food consumption habits, and parents' nutrition knowledge was found lacking, particularly regarding what is consumed at school; school gardens were identified as a means of providing children with fundamental nutrition knowledge, and the study called for government policy to be strengthened to encourage sufficient fruit and vegetable consumption.

Ansel Nastika, V Violita, Irma Laelani Eka Putri · BioScience · Indonesia

This experimental study in Indonesia tested hydroponic cultivation of water spinach (Ipomoea reptans), chosen for its ease of growth on the narrow plots typical of urban agriculture. Conducted from December 2017 to April 2018 in a biology laboratory and screen house at Universitas Negeri Padang, it used a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications, analyzing plant height, leaf number, leaf area, and wet and dry weight by ANOVA and DNMRT at the 5% level. Liquid organic fertilizer made from Sargassum sp. seaweed had no significant effect on plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, or wet and dry weight of the water spinach.

문보희, 위사양, 오충현 · 한국환경생태학회 학술발표논문집 · South Korea

From June 1 to November 27, 2017, a field survey covered 697 middle and high schools in Seoul (382 middle schools, 315 high schools), examining buildings, rooftops and on-site land use. Urban agriculture was already under way at 473 schools (68%), covering 55,413 m² in total — ground-level plots (20,103 m², 36%), rooftop plots (16,783 m², 30%), box planters (14,954 m², 27%) and flower beds (2,573 m², 7%). An additional 544 sites totaling 711,636 m² were identified as usable for urban agriculture, present at 304 of 382 middle schools (383,199 m², 80%) and 240 of 315 high schools (328,437 m², 76%). By type, rooftop space accounted for the large majority of this usable area (685,026 m², 96%), with box planters (16,136 m², 2%) and ground plots (10,474 m², 2%) contributing little, and flower-bed introduction judged difficult. Of flat-roofed buildings, 67% remained unused for solar panels, green roofs, or rooftop gardens.

Sang Mi Lee, Yoonah Jang, Young Chae, Kyung Sook Han, Byoung Kwon Lee, Sun Jin Jeong, Gyung Mee Gim · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

A survey examined patterns in the farming materials required to create and operate elementary school vegetable gardens in the Jeonbuk region of South Korea, aiming to propose ways to vitalize urban agriculture-related business. The materials purchased most for school garden operation were seeds and seedling supplies, compost/fertilizer, and tools such as trowels, sprinklers and hoes; material purchases were made mostly online, while seedling purchases were made mostly at pesticide/seedling stores. The study recommends providing information and education on farming materials and establishing more accessible, reliable internet sources.