Research & reports

Irmadatus Sholekhah, Dwi Herlindawati, Marjono Marjono, Dibyo Waskito Guntoro · Kumawula Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

A community-service report on a training program in urban farming marketing strategy for the Wife's Extended Family Association (IKBI) at PTPN I Regional 5, Kebun Kalisanen Kotta Blater, Jember Regency, Indonesia. A preliminary study found that urban farming adopted by the plantation had positively affected household food availability, but surplus fruit and vegetable harvests were not being fully utilized — some were merely shared with neighbors or relatives, while the rest were left to rot and go to waste. The training program, targeting 20 IKBI participants, covered urban farming product processing, branding socialization, and marketing strategy development assistance. Results showed increased understanding and knowledge of urban farming practices — including organic vegetables, hydroponics, horticulture, and potted plants — and improved marketing skills, particularly in digital marketing.

Mei Linda Sipayung, Mariana Eva Yanti · Journal Inovasi Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

A qualitative descriptive study of the Binjai Green Hidroponik (hydroponic) system in the Binjai region of Indonesia, combining a literature review, field observation, and interviews with local hydroponic practitioners to examine its concept, advantages, and application. Hydroponics is described as a soil-free cultivation method using a mineral nutrient solution adjusted to plant needs, positioned as a solution for raising agricultural productivity amid limited fertile land and rising food demand. The study found that the hydroponic system can raise water-use efficiency by up to 80%, speed up vegetable harvest time, and produce more hygienic, higher-quality products. Implementation of Binjai Green Hidroponik is described as having potential to drive local economic growth through urban-farming-based agribusiness.

I Wayan Dikse Pancane, Maulana Ari Danuarta, Aan Oka Suryadinatha, Ni Ketut Anjani, Ni Ketut Arniti · Jurnal Abdi Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia

A community-service report on cultivating family medicinal plants (TOGA) to improve public health at "Kebun Berdaya" (empowerment garden) in Tonja Ward, North Denpasar, Indonesia, carried out from January 13 to February 28, 2025. Following field observation, situation analysis, and work-program development, TOGA planting was carried out with the Women Farmers Group (KWT) of Tonja Ward as the main partner. The goals were to raise community awareness of TOGA's benefits and to develop Kebun Berdaya as a center for empowerment and greening. The results showed increased community understanding and participation in using TOGA. Constraints identified included limited land and insufficient knowledge about plant types and processing. A continuation program is proposed, involving intensive training and mentoring to maximize TOGA's health and economic benefits.

R. Jaishanker, Akshay Kumar, Mritunjay Pandey · Journal of Rural Development · India

This paper proposes the "Nalanda model," a paradigm linking rural and urban women in India through grow-bag rooftop farming: rural women prepare cow dung cakes that are stacked in grow bags with a sand-dung mixture as potting material, channeled through women's collectives to urban women who fill and sell the bags to urban customers. The paper presents this as a conceptual empowerment and livelihood strategy connecting rural and urban marginalized women rather than reporting field-tested outcomes or measured results.

V. S. Manivasagam, G. V. Saai Shreyaa, Shriienidhie Ganesh · Computational Urban Science · India

This study built a geospatial framework using open-access geospatial datasets to assess the economic feasibility of rooftop gardening, rainwater harvesting, and photovoltaic installations across 368,748 rooftops in Coimbatore, India. Projected revenue estimates were ₹28.58 billion for photovoltaic systems, ₹15.79 billion for rooftop gardens, and ₹0.34 billion for rainwater harvesting; a crop-specific analysis found chillies the most profitable rooftop crop, with potential revenue of ₹38.51 billion, and coriander the least profitable at ₹4.57 billion.

Agustin Windianingsih, Mulki Siregar, Estu Mahanani, Aisyah Hikmatur Romadhonah, Nihlah Hariro Romadhona, Urvia Rahmadani, Adinda Putri Salsabila Salvi, Idham Nur Kholiq · Jurnal SOLMA · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This report describes a community-service activity (PKM) conducted by Universitas Islam Jakarta with D'Shafa, a farming community in Jakarta focused on urban agriculture development, aimed at strengthening food security and economic welfare. The activity followed five method stages — education, training, technology application, evaluation, and program sustainability — with the goal of helping the D'Shafa Women Farmers Group (KWT) create value-added processed products. The activity produced value-added products through the use of a vacuum-frying machine for making fruit and vegetable chips, and it broadened KWT D'Shafa members' knowledge of preparing simple and digital financial reports and of digital marketing.

Hanik Endang Nihayati, Retno Indarwati, Elida Ulfiana · Jurnal Masyarakat · Indonesia

Aimed at creating urban green space and food production through urban farming — framed as an innovative strategy for food security amid rapid urbanization — this Indonesian initiative built urban greening through collaboration among community groups, the PKK women's welfare movement, and village (kelurahan) government officials. It was carried out as a five-stage, one-year mentoring program (socialization, trial, implementation, evaluation, and harvest festival) starting in April 2018. The urban farming program, which involved community members, particularly women, was found to improve quality of life by providing access to quality vegetables in the city center and creating a greener environment. The program is described as providing real benefits to the community, the village government, academics, and higher-education institutions, and as needing to be expanded to other regions with active involvement of women to broaden its impact.

Dhaipule Amritha, B. Nirmala, Ch. Srilatha, K. Supriya · Journal of Scientific Research and Reports · India

This study examines the motivations driving urban gardening, the challenges gardeners face, and how pricing, usability, and support services shape consumer preferences among residents of Hyderabad, India. Using purposive sampling, 80 respondents completed a structured questionnaire with 5-point semantic differential scales, analyzed via mean ranking and multiple linear regression. Most respondents were female, educated, middle-aged, and married, living in nuclear families, with both working professionals and homemakers participating in gardening. Adverse weather and pest problems were the most commonly reported challenges; among package features, material quality was rated most important, followed by price and ease of use. Pricing, usability, and support services significantly influenced consumer preferences (p < 0.01).

Ratih Hesty Utami Puspitasari · Moneta Journal of Economics and Finance · Indonesia

This study evaluates willingness to pay (WTP) for urban ecosystem services — particularly cultural and provisioning services delivered by urban agriculture (UA) — in rapidly urbanizing Indonesian cities, using a Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) structured survey and logistic regression to identify socioeconomic predictors of WTP, supplemented by a review of comparative case-study literature to contextualize the findings. The results show strong public support for UA, with higher WTP associated with cultural ecosystem services tied to heritage, aesthetics, and community identity. Key predictors of WTP were income, education, environmental concern, and prior exposure to UA, with regional differences reflecting cultural and policy context. The study notes methodological limitations of CVM in capturing intangible values and advocates mixed-methods approaches incorporating ethnographic and participatory tools.

Amelia Kamila Islami, Henny Nuraini, Bram Brahmantiyo, Eko Handiwirawan, Ferdy Saputra, Nurul Azizah, Cecep Hidayat, Wawan Sulistiono · Brazilian Journal of Biology · Indonesia

This study examines morphometric traits — body weight and measurements of the head, chest, limbs, spine, and ears — of the Bambu Apus rabbit, a breed formed by crossing several rabbit breeds and adapted to the environment of DKI Jakarta, Indonesia, comparing 65 adult Bambu Apus rabbits against secondary data from 40 adult Rex and 40 adult New Zealand White rabbits. Analysis used SAS software v9.4: ANOVA (PROC GLM), Mahalanobis distance analysis (PROC DISCRIM), canonical discriminant analysis (PROC CANDISC), and phenogram construction (MEGA11). Discriminant analysis showed Bambu Apus rabbits differed morphometrically from Rex and New Zealand White rabbits: average body weight was 2473.54±480.13 g, higher than Rex (P<0.05); chest depth was 8.69±1.11 cm greater than both Rex and New Zealand White (P<0.05); and backbone length was 37.84±3.51 cm longer than Rex (P<0.05). Genetic distance and phenogram analysis showed low kinship between Bambu Apus and both Rex and New Zealand White rabbits, which the study suggests indicates potential for developing tropical-climate-adapted broiler rabbits.

Nurul Zakiyah, Andien Putri Amelia, Dini Nurhandini, Lhaeira Hilda Arsheillah, Eka Yunita Putri, Dimas Aditya Riski, Bisyru Maulana Ali, Muhammad Surya Alkautsar · Academic Zeal for Community Innovation Research and Engagement · Indonesia

A community outreach program in Astanalanggar Village, Indonesia (2025) delivered participatory-action-research based education on yard-based urban farming, combined with cultivation of family medicinal plants (TOGA) and training in roselle processing, targeting the Arum Sari Women Farmers' Group and PKK members. The program used field observation, group discussion, education sessions, technical mentoring and planting activities. Reported outcomes were increased community participation and behavioral change toward using yard land and processing local plants for food, health, and household economic value.

Made Dwi Kanaka Sarahswati, Dew Ayu Trisna Adhiswari Wedagama · Penamas Journal of Community Service · Indonesia

A community service program in Dauh Puri Kaja Village, Denpasar, Indonesia (2025) combined urban farming with 3R-based waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle), providing hands-on training at the local Balai Banjar in waste sorting and composting organic waste for use in urban farming, followed by compost distribution at the village's waste management site. Reported outcomes were improved community understanding of using compost for household-scale farming and of proper waste segregation; the program's anticipated longer-term community impact was stated as an expectation, not a measured result.

Retno Wulandari, Alvira Indriani · Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology) · Indonesia

A study of the "vegetable alley" system—cultivating food crops, ornamentals, and medicinal plants in narrow residential pathways—in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia (2025) surveyed 80 respondents selected by simple random sampling, using descriptive analysis and Spearman rank correlation. Vegetable alley management in Yogyakarta was rated "good" across planning, organizing, mobilizing, and controlling activities. Farming experience, the role of extension workers, the role of group leaders, member participation, and knowledge were significantly correlated with management quality, while education level showed no significant relationship. The study states that vegetable alley implementation contributes to climate change mitigation by increasing green cover, enhancing carbon sequestration, and reducing the carbon footprint from food transportation.

Marlina Marlina, Muhammad Hafizh, Putra Jaya Gea, Yovi Avianto · Abdimas Galuh · Indonesia

A community outreach program at the KWT Sumber Rejeki women farmers' group production garden in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, held on November 26, 2024 (Abdimas Galuh, 2025), delivered counseling and hands-on training on preparing and applying a natural bactericide made from aloe vera waste to address bacterial wilt disease in chili cultivation. Reported outcomes were increased member knowledge and skill regarding bactericide definitions, benefits, natural ingredients, production technique, and application method, with high participant engagement. The program's authors note that the effectiveness of the aloe vera bactericide in actually suppressing Ralstonia solanacearum growth had not yet been evaluated and recommend this, along with testing on other horticultural crops, as follow-up work.

Xintao Lin, Jianping Qian, Jian Chen, Qiangyi Yu, Liangzhi You, Qian Chen, Jiali Li, Pengnan Xiao, Jingyi Jiang · Resources Environment and Sustainability · China

A study of Beijing and Shanghai, China (2025) modeled decarbonization from adjusting the local-sourcing share of seven perishable food categories — vegetables, poultry, aquatic products, beef, and lamb among them — incorporating both production and cold-chain logistics emissions across multiple localization scenarios. Each 1% increase in localization of vegetables, poultry, and aquatic products cut 2020 emissions by 0.4-1.9 tCO2e, while the same 1% increase for beef and lamb raised emissions by 0.2-2.9 tCO2e; localization reduced the cold-chain emission share for every food category. A constrained "balancing strategy" cut 2020 emissions by about 0.76 MtCO2e (5%) in Beijing and 0.44 MtCO2e (2%) in Shanghai, and an unconstrained scenario maximizing urban agriculture use achieved 3-4 times more reduction. Under a business-as-usual projection, the strategy was estimated to offset over 90% of Beijing's added emissions by 2035, with a further 0.44 MtCO2e reduction possible in Shanghai. The findings indicate that importing more carbon-intensive ruminant meat while reallocating urban resources toward vegetables, poultry, and aquatic products could produce more sustainable food supplies in megacities.

Ramadha Subhani Aden, Luki Anjardiani · Frontier Agribisnis · Indonesia

Focused on "Merko Hidroponik," a Merck Family Foundation-funded hydroponic (NFT) lettuce enterprise in Banjarbaru City, Indonesia, adopted as urban farming to address declining agricultural land, this study (2025) used descriptive methods to calculate total costs, revenue, profit, and business feasibility (R/C ratio) for the period March 2023 to July 2024, during which 11 planting cycles were completed from seeding through nursery, growth management, harvest, and post-harvest processing. Total costs were Rp7,906,424, total revenue Rp9,920,000, and profit Rp2,013,576, yielding a feasibility ratio of 1.254, concluded to make the business "feasible" to run. However, the study also identifies that the enterprise currently faces problems of root rot disease, managerial inefficiency, and challenges maintaining production continuity.

Talitha Ummiyah Hana, Sulistyodewi Nur Wiyono, Mahra Arari Heryanto, Ahmad Choibar Tridakusumah · MIMBAR AGRIBISNIS Jurnal Pemikiran Masyarakat Ilmiah Berwawasan Agribisnis · Indonesia (Bandung)

A case study of Greenhouse X, an urban farming enterprise in Bandung, Indonesia, found that its hydroponic water spinach (kangkung) supply has not been able to optimally meet market demand, and that its supplier-farmer partners are often inconsistent in meeting supply targets. Using a qualitative case-study method analyzed descriptively, the study identified 19 production risk events. The highest-severity risks (Si=9) were plant death during growth and root rot; harvest delays and unmet product quantity were rated as extreme-impact risks (Si=8).

Audina Meiliansya, Yayu Sri Rahayu, Nurcahyo Widyodaru Saputro · Journal of Mangifera Edu · Indonesia

Conducted from February to March 2025 at the Faculty of Agriculture laboratory, Singaperbangsa University, Karawang, Indonesia, this study examined growth and yield of Brassica microgreens (cauliflower, radish, and broccoli) under six levels of limited light exposure (indoor control, outdoor control, and 60%, 50%, 40%, and 30% lighting), using a split-plot design within a group randomized design with two replicates per treatment (36 experimental units total). F-tests at the 5% significance level, followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test, showed a significant interaction between light exposure and plant type for growth uniformity and plant height at 7 days after planting (DAP). The combination of 50% lighting with broccoli produced the highest growth coherence value, 88%, while the tallest plants at 7 DAP, 6.55 cm, occurred with 30% lighting combined with broccoli.

Ristina Siti Sundari, Depy Muhamad Pauzy, Hary Firmansyah, Arif Arif, Jhon Hardy Purba · Agro Bali Agricultural Journal · Indonesia

Against the backdrop of urban farming as a strategic response to land scarcity and food security challenges in metropolitan areas, this study examined the financial performance and internal marketing value of shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) agribusiness grown hydroponically using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Deep Flow Technique (DFT) systems across two planting cycles. As a case study at P4S Galih Jaya, Indonesia, the quantitative descriptive research combined direct observation, financial documentation review and structured stakeholder interviews, calculating standard agribusiness financial metrics — production output, net income, Benefit-Cost (B/C) ratio and Break-Even Point (BEP) — while internal marketing indicators (employee understanding, decision alignment and motivation) were assessed via pre- and post-cycle surveys. The DFT system in cycle 2 yielded the highest net income (IDR 2,036,725) and B/C ratio (3.6), while the NFT system in cycle 1 incurred a financial loss of IDR 10,155 with a B/C ratio of only 0.9, indicating it was unprofitable. Internal marketing indicators showed clear improvement between periods, and the study concludes that the choice of hydroponic system affects not only profitability but also internal stakeholder engagement.

Natalia Gerodetti · Visual Studies · South Korea (Seoul)

Focusing on the Muak-dong neighborhood at the foot of Ingwansan mountain in downtown Seoul, South Korea, this piece examines human-plant relationships in a dense urban environment where edible plants inhabit various growing spaces alongside residents. Building on the recognition that growing food locally can be part of socio-environmental justice pathways through walkable urban environments, urban agriculture and food waste recycling, it argues that these spatial practices also constitute social infrastructure, providing places and means for interaction, exchange and sharing. While many cities have fragmented growing activities and scattered edible plants, the Muak-dong network and its diverse modes of food cultivation are described as extraordinary, forming a literal pathway — exemplified by a map for an urban vegetable walk — that binds together urban green space, edible plants, a fertiliser station and people. The contribution focuses on the visual presence of plants in this cityscape, specifically lettuce, to demonstrate the possibilities food cultivation affords in one of the most dense and contested environments.

Chanatporn Limprapoowiwattana, Carl Middleton, Orapan Pratomlek, Marvin Joseph F. Montefrio · Journal of Urban Affairs · Asia

This paper examines the multiple urban imaginaries produced through five types of urban agriculture (UA) in Bangkok, Thailand, drawing on a co-production-of-urban-imaginaries lens to analyze how the material and immaterial dimensions of UA — through practices, knowledge production, networking and values — contribute to reimagining the future of a livable city. It identifies compatibilities and tensions among UA network imaginaries for a livable city and how these shape urban design and planning, arguing that addressing these tensions to advance equality and justice requires more ambitious, multilayered UA policy achieved through deepened participatory and critical anticipatory governance.

Jannatul Nayma Bona, Md. Zaki Faisal, Durjoy Hur, Saniya Afrin Swarna, Md. Muntaseer Al Mamun · Agriculture Archives. · Asia

In the Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh, a mixed-methods study of 100 randomly selected rooftop gardeners drawn from a target population of 250 used structured interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews between March and May 2024 to examine the environmental and nutritional benefits of rooftop gardening (RTG). 49% of respondents perceived moderate environmental benefits and 25% perceived high benefits, with increased rooftop vegetation (mean perception index 245), reduced indoor temperatures and improved biodiversity as ecological outcomes. On nutrition, 65% reported significant benefits, 63% reported healthier dietary habits and 75% reported meeting a substantial share of their vegetable needs through rooftop cultivation; both environmental and nutritional benefits correlated positively with respondents' education level (r=0.628 and r=0.544) and gardening experience (r=0.946 and r=0.532) at the 1% significance level. Over half of participants, however, cited limited technical knowledge (perception index 231), seasonal water scarcity, high input costs and pest management difficulties as challenges.

Mona ANGGIANI, Rr Diana AYUDYA, Nadia R. CHRISTANTIA, Endah MUSTIKOWATI, Annizar BACHRI, Andhi Seto PRASETYO, Gentina P. PUTRA, Asri A. SUNOTO, Ikhyandini G. ATRISYANTI · ICCD · Indonesia

In Kampung Kunir, a vertical urban kampong in Indonesia, an initiative introduced edible gardens through vegetable planting into underused, functionless common spaces to revive them as sites for residents' daily social interaction. The community engagement effort, driven by interdisciplinary collaboration between architecture and economic management, is reported as aiming to improve spatial use and strengthen social ties among residents.

Ratna Suminar, Nyang Vania Ayuningtyas Harini, Gian Sapta Andrialin · Journal of Agriculture and Animal Science · Indonesia

Against a backdrop of low vegetable consumption in Indonesia and rising demand for environmentally friendly urban farming solutions, a systematic literature review of sources published between 2016 and 2024 — accredited journals, reference books and research reports — examined the nutrient and bioactive-compound content of microgreens, their health benefits, and their potential for cultivation at scales including the household. It found that microgreens are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, have a short harvest period and low land requirements, that technologies such as LED lighting, growing media and seed quality strongly affect cultivation success, and that challenges remain in distribution and product shelf life.

Md. Rafiqul Islam, Syed Anisur Rahman, Tanvir Ahmed · International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science · Asia

Six heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc) were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in spinach, amaranth and fenugreek collected from four peri-urban sites around Dhaka, Bangladesh, during January-March 2024, where more than 2,000 hectares of vegetable land are irrigated with untreated industrial and domestic wastewater via canal networks. Lead in amaranth from the industrial-effluent site reached 0.94 mg/kg fresh weight, more than three times the WHO/FAO permissible limit of 0.30 mg/kg, while cadmium, chromium and nickel stayed within permissible limits at all sites and zinc, though highest in absolute terms (8.6-14.7 mg/kg), also remained within safe limits; contamination was highest at the industrial-effluent site and lowest at the borewell-irrigated control site, indicating a localized food-safety risk for consumers of peri-urban leafy greens grown with wastewater irrigation.