Research & reports

Aaron Sedivy · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · Global

This document outlines the benefits of urban agriculture, such as energy conservation, rainwater remediation, and therapeutic uses, and its contribution to food security pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. It suggests special considerations for improving urban soils and designing an evolving food crop production plan.

Ristina Siti Sundari, Lies Sulistyowati, Trisna Insan Noor, Iwan Setiawan · IntechOpen eBooks · Indonesia

Urban farming is expanding globally due to large urban areas, population density, and the demand for local, healthier food. Limited urban space drives the adoption of soilless culture, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics, for cultivating agricultural commodities, often in vertical farming. Urban farmers, typically with limited skills but high curiosity, primarily engage in urban farming for household self-demand rather than commercial agribusiness.

Ferdian Suprata, Christine Natalia, Djoko Setyanto, Budi Kartadinata, Victoria Principall · Jurnal Ilmiah Teknik Industri · Indonesia (Sampora Village)

This study in Sampora Village, Indonesia, aimed to reduce food losses by designing an affordable 4.77 m3 Modified Atmosphere Storage (MAS) cold-storage unit for horticultural products. Using a Design Thinking method and qualitative interviews, the design focused on temperature/humidity control, air circulation, and ventilation to extend product quality. The study proposed an affordable cold-storage technology.

Ni Putu Kinsa Destias Wirawan, Frysa Wiriantari, Anak Agung Ayu Sri Ratih Yulianasari · Jurnal Teknik Gradien · Indonesia (Badung)

This qualitative descriptive study explored the design concept for an urban farming training center in Badung Regency, Indonesia. The center adopts an education and tourism concept with a Green Architecture theme, incorporating eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and water conservation. It aims to promote urban farming methods like hydroponics, biofloc catfish farming, maggot cultivation, and organic waste processing into eco-enzymes.

Lulu Fara, Muhammad Yafi Fadhillah, W. Dea Fadhilah, Kalonika Izzati, Nita Wahyuni, Nabila Triyuliani Hasdania, Alda Agustina, Dwi Librina Suhardi, Annisa Nur Yasin, Amos Adrian Sembiring Pelawi, Fadel Saleh Basobih · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Nusantara · Indonesia

This paper discusses the realization of the Budikdamber urban farming concept in Simpang Tiga Village, Pekanbaru City, Indonesia. Service students implemented Budikdamber activities as a solution to limited cultivation land and decreasing water quality, aiming to address challenges posed by increasing population growth and land function shifts. The initiative also serves as a platform for entrepreneurship.

Ratna Wardhani, Wuryantoro Wuryantoro · International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science · Indonesia (Madiun-City)

A descriptive study conducted in three districts of Madiun-City, Indonesia, aimed to identify the potential of yard fruit plants as agro-industry raw materials and analyze the added value of processed products. The study found eight types of fruit plants in yards, but only four—Mango, Banana, Papaya, and Guava—were utilized as raw materials for processed products. These were processed into Mango Syrup, Banana Chips, Papaya Sauce, and Guava Juice, yielding specific added values per kilogram.

Doni Sahat Tua Manalu, Ade Astri Muliasari, Hidayati Fatchur R, Faranita Ratih L · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Pemberdayaan Inovasi dan Perubahan · Indonesia

This community service activity aimed to socialize digital marketing for ornamental plants and vegetables from urban farming during the Covid-19 pandemic in Cihideung Ilir Village, Indonesia. It was found that many digital marketing platforms are easily usable by participants, supported by the increasing number of internet users in Indonesia. Participants primarily grew plants to increase household income and consumption, and 100% stated the activities increased their knowledge and were important.

Andrew Millie · Crime Media Culture An International Journal · United Kingdom

This article considered guerrilla gardening, which involves taking on other people’s land without permission. A qualitative study of guerrilla gardeners from the North West of England found that guerrilla gardening is a normalised form of law-breaking. Despite not necessarily being to everyone’s taste and gardeners having an autocratic view of property, it is broadly accepted and welcomed, even by those who enforce the law.

Abhishek C, Soumya T V, V. Ajith · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This study evaluated the effect of coir grow bags as an alternative to plastic grow bags on plant growth and yield. Seedlings of amaranthus, tomato, brinjal, chilli, herbs, medicinal plants, and ornamental plants were transplanted into coir grow bags and synthetic grow bags for comparison. Results showed that plants grown in coir grow bags exhibited higher yield and plant height, along with noticeable improvements in visual plant condition, compared to those in synthetic grow bags.

Nilesh L. Patil, Anjali A. Kulkarni, Dinesh Amalnerkar, Swapnil C. Kamble · South African Journal of Botany · South Africa

This study assessed the growth and nutrient values of wheatgrass cultivated in soil, hydroponics, aeroponics, and paper-pulp based potting mix soil. Plantlets from potting mix soil showed the highest height (88.67 cm), weight (15.13 gm), and overall nutrient content. Cost analysis over six months revealed that potting mix soil systems were 17x and 23x cheaper than hydroponics and aeroponics, respectively, making them the most productive for long durations.

Sri Utami, Endah Ratnaningsih, Yeni Indra Kumalasari, Rahayu Widowati · Rahmatan Lil Alamin Journal of Community Services · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

In Bener village, Tegalrejo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, a community service activity was conducted to introduce urban farming and the practice of fruit cultivation in pots (Tabulampot). The activity included urban farming socialization, planting media preparation, introduction of guava varieties, and transplanting and maintenance practices. The practical planting and direct mentoring proved effective in encouraging residents to implement urban farming in their environment.

Annette Svaneklink Jakobsen · University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) · Denmark

This paper analyzes gardening practices and expressions within the "Grow your City" urban garden project in Denmark, focusing on how participants create individual spaces. The project involves hundreds of standardized raised plant beds rented by citizens, who demonstrate significant heterogeneity in personalizing their spaces through planting, decorating, and modifying. The study, based on observations and mappings, explores gardening as a creative practice and a form of participation.

Lili Chrisnawati, Dzul F. Mumtazah, Dewi Mulia Sari · Community Development Journal Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Kota Metro)

This community service activity involved providing outreach and training on microgreen cultivation to the WES (Women and Environmental Studies) community in Kota Metro, Indonesia. The activity concluded that participants were able to enhance their knowledge regarding microgreens. It is hoped that participants can apply microgreen cultivation skills, which will impact the improvement of healthy lifestyles and strengthen family food security.

Jonathan Stubberfield, Mads Troldborg, E. Louise Ander, N.M.J. Crout, Scott D. Young, Rupert Hough · Agronomy · United Kingdom

This study investigated the influence of gardening routines on health benefits and risks among 120 urban gardeners in the UK. Participants showed a correlation between autumn/winter gardening activity and fruit/vegetable consumption, with higher physical activity levels and lower BMI than average. However, while gardening offers health benefits, the health risks from gardening on soils mildly contaminated with cadmium and lead may outweigh these benefits, requiring formal consideration within a risk management framework.

Yayat Sujatna, Widi Hastomo, Ambardi Ambardi · Community Empowerment · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This Community Service program aimed to educate residents of PCM Cengkareng Barat, Jakarta, Indonesia, about plastic waste, recycle plastic waste for microgreens planting media, and encourage urban farming of microgreens to meet family nutrition during the pandemic. The program utilized the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method. The outcome was an increased ability and knowledge among partners regarding plastic waste utilization and new methods for urban farming microgreens.

Zumatul Atiko Islamiyah Cahyo, Aulia Rachmawati, Rifdha Nurbani Masjidha, Nurul Azizah · Jurnal Penamas Adi Buana · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A microgreens cultivation socialization activity was conducted in Jemur Wonosari village, Surabaya City, Indonesia. Participants included representatives from farmer groups and all RW (community association) heads of Jemur Wonosari village, using vegetable seeds, rockwool, water, cocopeat, microgreens trays, and water sprays. The activity positively impacted the community's knowledge of urban farming systems, particularly beyond hydroponics, indicating microgreens could be an alternative for maintaining household-level food security.

Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Rodrigo Roblero, Jorge Flores-Velázquez, Colegio de Postgraduados · Vivienda y Comunidades Sustentables · Global

This study aimed to generate a methodology for estimating the volume of rainwater harvesting for urban agriculture use. The surface area of two urban roofs with contrasting characteristics was estimated using images from a UAV camera, generating a digital surface model (DSM) and identifying runoff coefficients by sub-catchment area. Monthly average precipitation was calculated using climatological normals. The volume of rainwater harvesting was calculated and its use in lettuce cultivation was analyzed. The estimated volume of rain from the catchment areas obtained from the DSM and meteorological data allowed for the agronomic analysis of the crop.

Liska Mutiara Septiana, Sri Yusnaini, Rugayah Rugayah, Rosma Hasibuan · Jurnal Pengabdian Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Lampung · Indonesia (Bandar Lampung)

A community service activity in Bandarlampung, Indonesia, introduced soilless vegetable cultivation using an urban farming scheme to mothers in RT.04 Rajabasa Nyunyai Village. Through participatory training and mentoring, the activity successfully increased participants' knowledge of utilizing home yards, leading to the adoption of hydroponic vegetable cultivation in their homes.

Yaya Hasanah · Journal of Saintech Transfer · Indonesia (Medan)

This community service program aimed to empower the Bumi Nusantara Medan Orphanage in Medan City, Indonesia, through urban farming-based bioentrepreneurship. The program involved introduction, training, and practical sessions on making kokedama and capillary system plant cultivation, along with business management training. The achieved results include training and assistance in kokedama and capillary system cultivation.

Kukuh Madyaningrana, Tri Yahya Budiarso, Catarina Aprilia Ariestanti, Dan Daniel Pandapotan, Wulan Sari Sinaga · Jurnal Abditani · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This study aimed to demonstrate the production of liquid organic fertilizer (POC) from organic waste in the urban farming communities of Omah Paseduluran Sleman and Gemah Ripah Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as a pilot project for cultivating Brazilian spinach. The activity showed that POC made from organic waste like rice wash water, fruit peel slices, and sheep urine is easy to produce. Participants were enthusiastic and committed to making POC independently for their cultivated plants.

Kristiina Valter · Green Energy and Environmental Technology · Global

This paper describes productive blue-green roofs for stormwater management, highlighting features important for sustained environmental benefits. It explains that blue roofs use retention layers to delay or retain stormwater, and combining them with green roofs allows for growing edible crops, offering synergistic benefits. The paper presents case studies and testbeds of various blue and green roof sublayer combinations with edible and non-edible plants, considering design parameters and monitoring systems.

Danielle Treadwell, Lisa Hickey, Tabitha Petri, James M. Stephens · EDIS · United States (Florida)

This publication provides considerations and best practices for selecting the best crops to transplant and how to prepare transplants for home and community gardens in Florida. It notes the benefits of starting one's own vegetable transplants, as varieties available in retail centers are often not the best-tasting or best-adapted for the local area.

Md. Abdul Quddus · Horticulture International Journal · Global

This review study investigated the scenario, advantages, and challenges of rooftop farming in urban communities. Rooftop gardening provides fresh, nutrition-rich food for urban dwellers, serves as an alternative land use, improves the urban atmosphere, and offers household recreation. Previous research indicates that insight and consciousness of roof gardening enrich wellbeing, social value, and enjoyable farming for building residents.

Mila Lukmana, Muhammad Helmy Abdillah · Agritech Jurnal Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto · Indonesia

This study, conducted from February to June 2021 in Indonesia, investigated the effect of combining tea dregs and cow dung on tomato plant growth in mineral soil. Using a factorial randomized block design, 16 combinations of tea dregs (0, 10, 20, 30 g/polybag) and cow dung (0, 29.7, 44.5, 74.2 g/polybag) were tested. The results indicated that the A1S3 treatment (10 g/polybag tea dregs and 74.2 g/polybag cow dung) was effective and efficient in increasing plant height, leaf surface area, root growth, and dry weight of tomato plants.

Febby Asteriani, Rona Muliana, Subhan Arridho, Apriyan Dinata · Jurnal Abdi Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Pekanbaru)

A community service activity in Simpang Tiga Village, Pekanbaru City, Indonesia, aimed to socialize the importance of utilizing idle land for food crop cultivation. The activity provided counseling and practical training on proper food crop planting techniques to residents of RW 02 RT 01. Results showed that the community was receptive to the knowledge, actively practiced the techniques, and increased their understanding of urban farming and environmental conservation.