Research & reports

Lathifah Puji Hastuti, Shabarni Gaffar, Dina Oktavia, Kevin Muhamad Lukman · KREATIF Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Sains dan Teknologi · Indonesia

A community service program was implemented in Pananjung Village, Pangandaran Regency, Indonesia, providing training to homemakers. The program offered instruction on organic waste management through composting and eco-enzyme production, as well as the application of urban farming in limited spaces. Participants learned techniques for processing kitchen waste into compost and eco-enzymes for natural fertilizer, and planting seeds like chili and tomato using recycled materials as planting media. This training aimed to equip participants with practical skills and increase their awareness of waste reduction and the importance of utilizing small plots for food security.

Teguh Sarwo Aji, Alimatul Farida, Muh Prasetyo Nugroho · ABDI KAMI Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Probolinggo City)

This service program aimed to assist the Pokdarwis Pilang community in Probolinggo City, Indonesia, in managing animal waste into organic compost to support the sustainability of urban farming. The Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach was used, and results showed an increase in technical skills, the establishment of a compost production unit, changes in waste management behavior, and improved economic welfare through partnerships with local markets. The ABCD approach proved effective in creating sustainable social change through community empowerment.

Anwar Anwar, Haisyah Haisyah, Permi Kabisatio AS., Wiwi Sawira, Aco Iham Belman, Hildawati Hildawati, Muhammad Fahyu Sanjaya · Jurnal Tarreang Tren Pengabdian Masyarakat Agrokompleks · Indonesia

In Kontar Hamlet, Indonesia, a community service team provided counseling and training on processing banana tuber waste into liquid organic fertilizer. This addressed the issue of abundant unused banana stems. As a result, organic fertilizer was produced, approximately 90% of the community understood the concept of liquid organic fertilizer during counseling, and about 80% knew the production process after training.

Utis Sutisna, Junun Sartohadi, Nur Ainun Harlin Jennie Pulungan, Ngadisih Ngadisih, YB Praharto, Nurul Hidayati · Prosiding Seminar Hasil Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

A pyrolysis reactor technology (Prosiding Seminar Hasil Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, Indonesia, 2024) converts sorted urban organic waste slurry into biochar using a self-sufficient pressure-control system with automatic temperature control and internal use of pyrolysis gas as fuel, processing waste at 400-500°C. Performance testing on soil samples showed the resulting biochar had 65-70% fixed carbon content with physical and chemical stability suitable as a soil amendment, increased soil cation exchange capacity by up to 30%, and increased soil moisture by up to 15% compared with untreated control soil. The reactor reduced organic waste volume by 50% and the biochar was reported to improve urban agricultural soil fertility and productivity.

Bhardwaj P., Sharma R. K., Chauhan A., Ranjan A., Rajput V. D., Minkina T., Mina U., Tripathi A. · Water · India

Evaluates amending soil with municipal solid waste compost at different ratios and its effect on growth and yield of brinjal, tomato and okra, assessing heavy metal distribution and health risk for sustainable urban agriculture.

Siti Hasanah, Mustika Widowati, Sri Hardiningsih, Vita Arumsari · KACANEGARA Jurnal Pengabdian pada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)

This community service project targeted women in the "Ijo Royo-Royo" Women Farmers Group in Tambakaji, Semarang City, Indonesia, addressing their limited experience in utilizing narrow home yards for planting and lack of skills in waste management. The project provided assistance in creating urban gardens for daily food independence, managing plastic waste for vertical planting, and processing vegetable and fruit waste into healthy drinks and organic fertilizer. The aim was to increase the economic value and benefits of urban backyard farming.

Ismed Setya Budi, Ismed Fachruzi, Mariana Mariana, Yusriadi Yusriadi, Muhammad Indar Pramudi, Helda Orbani Rossa · Jurnal Pengabdian ILUNG (Inovasi Lahan Basah Unggul) · Indonesia (Banjarbaru)

This project addressed agricultural challenges in Bangkal Village, Banjarbaru City, Indonesia, where farmers face issues with soil fertility and seasonal flooding. The proposed solution involved transferring technology for making organic fertilizer using indigenous microbes (Trichoderma sp.) and aquatic weeds (kalakai and kayapu). Initial outreach and a workshop with 42 participants revealed farmers needed direct practical guidance. Ongoing field assistance enabled the "Bunga Padi" farmer group to produce packaged organic fertilizer for market and local use, with the aim of eventually marketing Bangkal-specific organic red rice.

Oto Prasadi, Andika Prastya, Muhammad Fauzi, Budi Nurochman · Society Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

The "compost school" (skula kompos) program, initiated in 2019 by PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk, Cilacap factory, focuses on educating communities about household organic waste management. This program, part of the Baruwani Program, aims to reduce waste, produce compost for urban farming, and support the use of waste as alternative fuel in cement production. The compost school serves as a platform for outreach and training in compost making.

Agung Prabowo, Muhammad Ikhsan Alif · PengabdianMu Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

In Gunung Samarinda Baru Village, Indonesia, a community service activity addressed limited green open space through urban farming and waste management. The initiative involved training and practical sessions on hydroponic vegetable cultivation and compost processing from household waste, following initial socialization. Monitoring results showed that the community utilized their green open space for hydroponic vegetable growing, evidenced by a first harvest, and engaged in compost processing.

Yosefina Mangera, Jamaludin Jamaludin · ABDIKAN Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bidang Sains dan Teknologi · Indonesia

A community service program in Tambat Village, Merauke Regency, Indonesia, provided socialization and training to the Dwitrap farmer group on utilizing sago processing waste for organic fertilizer using black soldier fly larvae bioreactors. The program successfully transferred knowledge and skills, with participants demonstrating increased understanding of sago waste processing.

Sari Perwita Rahmanti Ignatia, Sunik · ASAWIKA Media Sosialisasi Abdimas Widya Karya · Indonesia

Dissemination activities, demonstrations, and training on organic urban farming were conducted for PKK members in RT 01, RW 04, Balearjosari Village, Blimbing District, Malang City, Indonesia. The initiative aimed to support homemakers in cultivating organic vegetables in their yards to achieve household-level food safety and security. The activities resulted in an increase in participants' knowledge, skills, and ability to apply organic cultivation practices in their respective yards, contributing to family food safety and security.

Li Jiacheng · Eco-Business / Dialogue Earth · China

China's mandatory waste-sorting policy, launched in Shanghai in 2019, improved diversion and recycling but created a new problem: overbuilt waste-to-energy incineration capacity. Shanghai diverted 54% of its waste (6.46 million tonnes) in 2021, up from 21% in 2018, while the number of national incinerators grew from 130 in 2011 to 927 by 2023, pushing 2022 national overcapacity to 100.99%.

Jiajia Zhang, Zishuang Li, XiaoLin Zhou, Wencheng Ding, Xuexia Wang, Meng Zhao, Hongjie Li, Guoyuan Zou, Yanhua Chen · Science of the Total Environment · China

A 2023 study using an 11-year wheat–maize rotation field trial in China to test how long-term application of pig- and cow-manure compost affects soil microplastics (MPs). The composts themselves contained 3,547 and 4,520 items/kg respectively; soils under long-term application held 144–287 and 140–316 items/kg, significantly more than unamended soil, and abundance rose with application rate. Compost-derived accumulation reached 1.73 × 10⁸ to 7.22 × 10⁸ items per hectare, accounting for 43.0–75.9% of total soil MPs, with the contribution doubling when the application rate doubled. Particles under 1 mm made up 31.0% of MPs in the composts but 43.8% in amended soils, size and abundance fell with depth, and particle surfaces showed complex weathering with attached soil mineral colloids — evidence, the authors conclude, that compost-derived MPs are progressively fragmented and degraded in soil after application. Polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and polyethylene terephthalate fibres dominated.

Asian research network · ResearchGate · Asia

Research on organic waste composting and its application in urban agriculture across emerging Asian cities, integrating circular agriculture with waste reduction.

Dwi Haryanta, Tatuk Tojibatus Sa’adah, Mochamad Thohiron · Indonesian Journal of Engagement Community Services Empowerment and Development · Indonesia (Surabaya)

Community empowerment activities at the "Satu Padu" farmer group in Jambangan Village, Surabaya, Indonesia, aimed to disseminate knowledge on processing urban organic waste into compost and liquid organic fertilizer for urban farming. Using Participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal methods, the program involved residents and the farmer group in directly practicing the technology. Participants learned to make compost from tree stumps and liquid organic fertilizer from fruit and vegetable waste, and to use these in planting.

Novian Wely Asmoro, Sri Hartati, Agustina Intan Niken Tari, Purwanto Purwanto, Muhammad Fathul Anwar · Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Sukoharjo)

In Dusun Walang, Sukoharjo, Indonesia, community service activities introduced urban farming to millennial generation members of a youth organization to increase their interest in agriculture. The activities involved counseling and practice on urban farming concepts, household waste management, and verticulture. Evaluation using pretest, posttest, and practice assessment showed 93% partner involvement and an 85% increase in understanding of urban farming cultivation, from an initial 54% to 100% after the activity.

Indah Nurhidayati, Joko Sutrisno, Agustono Agustono, Refa’ul Khairiyakh, Amalia Nadifta Ulfa, Rhina Uchyani F · RESONA Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Surakarta)

From August to October 2020, an urban farming-based activity was conducted in Jebres District, Surakarta City, Indonesia. This activity involved training and demonstrations on processing urban agricultural waste and household waste into liquid organic fertilizer (POC) using the stacked bucket technique. Participants were able to harvest POC after two months, and this POC was stated to be usable as plant fertilizer, contributing to improving the local economy and ecological environment.

Dwi Haryanta, Tatuk Tojibatus Sa’adah, Ristani Widya Inti · Indonesian Collaboration Journal of Community Services (ICJCS) · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In RW 02 Kalirungkut, Surabaya, Indonesia, a community empowerment activity provided knowledge on managing tree pruning waste into useful compost for urban farming practices. The program utilized Participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal and Rapid and Rural Appraisal methods. The community resolved tree pruning waste disposal issues within 3 months and harvested 15 cubic meters of compost, recognizing its economic value.

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.

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.

Wira Bhakti Pangestu, Mochamad Zidane Deanova, Furi Faturohmat, Reni Nurjasmi · Jurnal Ilmiah Respati · Indonesia

A study conducted from June to September 2021 at the Faculty of Agriculture Experimental Garden, Respati University, Indonesia, investigated the potential of urban waste as a growing medium for microgreens (spinach and mustard greens). The research used a completely randomized design with four treatments: rockwool with AB Mix as a control, onion peels, rabbit manure, and quail manure, each replicated five times. Organic fertilizers from urban waste significantly affected the germination percentage, height, wet weight, and chlorophyll content of mustard green and spinach microgreens. While the rockwool control yielded the best chlorophyll content and microgreen production, among urban wastes, quail manure produced the highest chlorophyll content and production for mustard green microgreens. For spinach microgreens, onion peels resulted in the highest germination percentage and wet weight, while quail manure yielded the highest chlorophyll content.

Fabian Pascalis Serenai, Firra Rosariawari · EnviroUS · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This study in Dinoyo, Surabaya, Indonesia, investigated the potential of using 595,040 m3/year of canal sediment as a growing medium for urban farming. Sediment was mixed with green compost and cocopeat in 1:1:1, 1:3:1, and 1:5:1 ratios, and Capsicum frutescens seedlings were grown for two weeks. After pretreatment (drying, grinding, sieving), the 1:1:1 mixture showed optimal parameters: 3.58% C, 0.31% N, 0.02% P, 1.63% K, CEC 43.92 emol/kg, C/N 21, pH 8.55, non-toxic with 4% seed growth inhibition, optimal seedling growth, and lower nutrient loss. The research suggests that sediment can be used as a more environmentally friendly mixed growing substrate in the long term.

Arini Al Ifah, Ila Purnamasari, Zahwa Ayu Wardani, Puguh Bintang Pamungkas · Agroteknika · Indonesia

The effectiveness of liquid organic fertilizer (POC) made from household vegetable waste on the growth and yield of microgreen spinach (Amaranthus tricolor) was investigated using a completely randomized design with four treatments and three replications. Various POC treatments (derived from spinach, potato, and water spinach) showed no significant difference in the growth and yield of microgreen spinach. The treatment without POC, using well water, showed optimal growth patterns and yields compared to the application of various POCs.

Nadia Nadia, Agus Juono, Dio Ramadan Nugroho, Mifta Nurjanah, Adine Christiningtyas, Marthinus Masriat, E.Y Gitari, Andy Nugroho, Abdurojak Abdurojak, K.J Dahu, Bayu Suseno · Jompa Abdi Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

This community outreach program in Padukuhan Singosaren I, Indonesia — a country ranked second worldwide for plastic waste entering the ocean — used socialization sessions to address low public awareness and inconsistent waste management, teaching a "stacked bucket" (ember tumpuk) decomposition method that processes organic waste into solid and liquid organic fertilizer usable as growing media for urban farming ("hydroganik"). The outreach concluded that well-managed waste can become useful and that community participants were enthusiastic, and it recommends that Singosaren I households adopt the stacked-bucket method at home so household waste can be converted into fertilizer for hydroganik growing media.

Bambang Gunawan, Husin Rayesh Mallaleng, Mahrus Ali, Sri Purwanti, Nurlina Nurlina, Fauziatun Nisak, Yeni Ika Pratiwi, Sri Hidayati · Indonesian Journal of Engagement Community Services Empowerment and Development · Indonesia

This report describes a community activity in RW 02, Kalirungkut Village, Rungkut District, Surabaya City, Indonesia, that implemented mass composting technology for urban organic waste as part of empowering urban agricultural land. It was carried out through two approaches: assistance to build expertise and skills in managing mass composting of urban organic waste, and efforts to mobilize community participation. The results showed increased community awareness and participation in waste management through practicing the 3R approach (reduce, reuse, recycle) -- sorting household waste into organic and inorganic at the source -- with the urban agriculture movement identified as an alternative for maintaining family food security and as a contributor to green open space.