Research & reports

Darwati Susilastuti, Aditiameri, Vivi Lusia · Jurnal Bakti Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This community-outreach report addresses RW 01 in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta, Indonesia, where residents were running separate, unintegrated, low-productivity activities on land under the Becakayu Toll Road — hydroponic vegetables, catfish and tilapia farming, chicken and pigeon raising, horticulture, and seasonal crops including turi (Sesbania grandiflora) grown as a fence plant. Through outreach that taught participants the integrated farming system (IFS) concept and helped them build an IFS map, and by introducing turi as a liquid organic fertilizer, feed supplement, and compost, the yield of mustard plants increased by 100%.

Udi Subagyo, Achendri M. Kurniawan, Bobby Aksumajaya, Nain Dhaniarti Raharjo, Ikrar Hanggara · J-ABDI Jurnal Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Malang)

This community service activity worked with the PKK (Family Welfare Movement) Environmental Working Group of RT 06/RW 18 in the Bunulrejo urban village, Blimbing district, Malang, Indonesia, which was already running a greenhouse-based urban farming activity for food resilience. The group faced challenges in meeting residents' demand for vegetables and, in particular, a lack of activities for PKK women to build knowledge and experience. As an initial stage of collaboration between Polinema's community service team and RW 18, the activity constructed and installed vertical garden racks (plant shelving).

Kyle Richardville, Dan Egel, Andrew Flachs, Amit K. Jaiswal, D.J. Perkins, A. W. Thompson, Lori Hoagland · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Global

A two-year field trial tested whether amending degraded urban soils with locally made leaf-mold compost could improve soil chemical and biological properties and support the survival of a plant-growth-promoting, disease-suppressive microbial inoculant (Trichoderma harzianum T-22) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production. Compost-amended plots showed markedly higher active soil organic matter and marketable fruit yield in both years, lower foliar disease severity in year two, and reduced transplant-stress deaths from T-22 inoculation in one cultivar, but the authors caution that all composts must be tested for heavy metals or pathogens and that overapplication can reduce crop health.

Catherine E. Sanders, Don W. Edgar, Casandra Cox, Leslie D. Edgar · Journal of Human Sciences and Extension · United States

This study explored the social networks and interactions among urban producers in Arkansas, USA, through social network analysis. Using a mixed-methods approach, it collected data on participants' social network interactions and their methods of seeking information about urban farming. The results showed how and where participants preferred to obtain information, peer-to-peer interactions within the network, and key players or opinion leaders in the network. The methods used may serve as an example of network mapping for populations lacking a formal network, to help Extension outreach reach communities that may otherwise be underserved.

Eka Masrifatus Anifah, Kartika Nugrahaeni, Winarni · J-Dinamika Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

In response to rising population and food demand in central Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia — where 2024 provincial demand for fish and water spinach (kangkung) is estimated at about 92,694 tons and 22,550 tons respectively — and consequent rising vegetable and fish prices, this community outreach activity introduced small-scale, self-sufficient aquaponic cultivation of catfish and water spinach in individual buckets, using underutilized vacant land in the RT.02 area of Graha Indah, Balikpapan, where fish-farming wastewater nutrients feed the plants. Respondents reported that the method requires minimal land, meets household vegetable needs, and reduces household food spending, and that the activity also fostered creativity among housewives and greater household self-sufficiency.

Andre Rachmat Scabra, Muhammad Marzuki, Bagus Dwi Hari Setyono, Laily Fitriani Mulyani · Jurnal Pengabdian Magister Pendidikan IPA · Indonesia

A community-service report (2022, Indonesia) on the Jangkar Ampenan youth group in the Tangsi area of South Ampenan district, Mataram City, describes a knowledge- and technical-guidance activity on "budikdamber" — cultivating fish in a bucket — as a model of sustainable urban farming. Activities proceeded through site survey, preparation of outreach and technical-guidance materials, construction of a technology model, implementation support, and evaluation, covering assembly of a cultivation setup using a 150-liter bucket, 5-7g catfish fry, commercial catfish feed, water spinach (kangkung) seedlings, pipes, wire, 200ml plastic cups, a drill and grinder, a net, and an aerator, along with feeding, water-quality, and harvest management. The report concludes that information, knowledge, and technical guidance on the budikdamber technology were successfully delivered to the partner group.

Nurul Azizah, Dewi Ratih, U′ud Uda Marlina, Moch. Raihan Ramadhan · Jurnal Bisnis Indonesia · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In Wonorejo, Tegalsari district, Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest metropolitan city, where land conversion to housing and public buildings has made greening difficult, residents used vertikultur (vertical, tiered plant cultivation with repurposed plastic bottles mounted on house walls) as a greening approach for limited land. The program's success was indicated by residents' enthusiasm and by aesthetic, health, and economic benefits reported from the practice.

Danielle Purkiss, Ayşe Lisa Allison, Fabiana Lorencatto, Susan Michie, Mark Miodownik · Frontiers in Sustainability · United Kingdom

A citizen-science study invited 9,701 UK residents to test how biodegradable and compostable plastics actually degrade in home composting. Many items, including certified products, failed to fully break down; 60% of TUV OK Compost Home-certified items were still clearly visible afterward. The authors conclude home composting is not an effective or environmentally beneficial disposal method for these materials in the UK.

Carola Grebitus · PLOS ONE · United States (Detroit)

Using an online survey of 420 residents in Detroit, Michigan, this study analyzed behavioral and socio-demographic drivers of growing produce at home and in community gardens. It found that trust, attitude, and knowledge affect home growing, while involvement and personality drive community gardening; household size affects home growing, and gender, age, and income affect community gardening. The findings offer implications for fostering small-scale urban agriculture through city planning and nutrition education.

· Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2021 (LNCS) · Global

Presents the design of a low-cost smart indoor greenhouse to cultivate herbs and vegetables with minimum human intervention, monitored by a web application. It builds on IoT-based monitoring systems for indoor micro-climate horticulture.

· Sensors · Global

Optimizes bokashi composting of household organic waste in a smart composting bin, fermenting banana peels with EM-1 brans over 14 days while sensors log temperature, humidity and moisture.

· Agronomy · Mediterranean

Measures how simple low tunnels placed inside Mediterranean greenhouses modify the internal microclimate (air/soil temperature and humidity). Quantifies the effect of a low-cost season-extension/warming structure.

· IEEE Photonics Journal · Global

Design and implementation of an LED automatic lighting system for plant factories that provides automatic dimming and multi-band colour mixing, adjusting light intensity and colour to plant needs to increase crop yield.

· Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Africa

A review of aquaponics as a means to improve food security in Africa, discussing small-scale pilots such as the SANFU project in Lagos, Nigeria.

· Journal of Applied Aquaculture · South Africa

The study analyzes the economic feasibility of a small-scale, low-cost aquaponic system in South Africa, examining how the fish-to-plant revenue ratio affects viability.

· Earth · Australia

Assesses the reliability of using recycled water in wicking beds, described as a simple system that can provide high yield and water use efficiency, for sustainable urban agriculture.

· Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Bangladesh (Dhaka)

Evaluates the growth, yield and economic viability of lettuce grown vertically on a building wall in Dhaka, finding a green-leaf cultivar in an organic medium significantly outperformed other treatments.

· Applied Sciences · Global

Proposes a prototype room for low-income users enabling self-construction and upcycling of widely available waste materials, including a green roof of waste materials, with mechanical tests on filled PET bottles and PET-bottle/concrete blocks.

· Inventions · Global

Presents a design advancing the technological readiness of a low-cost vertical hydroponic system using lighter, cheaper materials such as aluminum and PVC with integrated drip irrigation for resource-limited settings.

Sumita Ghosh · · Global

This research conducted a desktop review and analyzed six international case studies of rooftop urban farms, community gardens, and home gardens. The analysis found that productive landscapes already exist on city rooftops, contributing positively to community, environment, ecology, economy, and society. Planning and designing rooftop gardens in dense urban areas could foster place-making through urban agriculture.

Sumanto Sumanto, Suryani Sri Lestari, Siti Mutmainah, Muhammad Rois, Siti Hasanah, Jati Handayani, Teguh Budi Santosa, Saniman Widodo, Prima Ayundyayasti, Nurseto Adhi · Prosiding Seminar Hasil Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)

This community service activity aimed to empower a farmer group in Semarang City, Indonesia, by providing solutions for urban farming in narrow yards. The initiative focused on mentoring the group in utilizing plastic waste as planting media and developing their skills. The activity addressed the group's lack of expertise in plastic waste utilization and limited urban agriculture skills, seeking to increase the economic added value and benefits of urban farming.

Adhitya Rahmat Taufiq, Deden Mulyana, Mohammad Soleh Soeaidy, Allicia Deana Santosa · ETHOS (Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian) · Indonesia (Tasikmalaya)

This community service program in Gunung Tandala Village, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia, aimed to provide knowledge and training on alternative resources for food independence to embroidery industry workers who lost jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The training included simple urban farming and catfish cultivation in buckets, offering basic knowledge and practical examples. The activity successfully increased participants' literacy regarding food independence stability and their understanding of potential market opportunities.

Hester Buck · Question Journal · United Kingdom (London)

This paper explores how different understandings of "community" converged during the participatory design of a moss wall at the R-urban community garden in London. The project addressed poor air quality, bringing together residents, activists, academics, and volunteers who formed a community of inquiry through meetings and workshops. The paper reflects on the successes and failures of engagement strategies, including challenges like apathy and misunderstanding.

Kusuma Wardhani Mas’udah, Zainal Abidin Achmad, Ita Sabilah Putri Chayani, Niken Nathania, Rahadyan Naufal A, Yusuf Fadhilah, Bayu Frastra Wiranegara · Abdi-mesin Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Teknik Mesin · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In Dupak village, Krembangan district, Surabaya, Indonesia, due to limited land, KKN Group 38 of UPN "Veteran" East Java University conducted outreach and assistance on Budikdamber development. This initiative aimed to meet household food needs and support the local economy through the marketing of urban farming produce. The program provided knowledge to the community, contributed to nutritional satisfaction to prevent stunting, and enhanced skills for household food self-sufficiency by utilizing narrow home yards for growing vegetables and fish in buckets.

Diana Maria Reyes Avalo, Misterbino Borgès Garcìa · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cuba (Jiguaní)

This study in Jiguaní municipality, Granma province, Cuba, aimed to enhance the sustainable production and diversification of yam cultivation under agricultural drought conditions using biotechnological seeds. The accelerated yam seed production technology, combining biotechnological and conventional methods, was implemented in urban, suburban, and family agriculture. This led to the successful implementation of certified yam seed technology, increasing plant numbers from 2000 to 6000 in 2018 for a total area of 0.6 ha, and contributing to local development.