Research & reports

Alrifky Alif Fadla, Muhammad Muhammad, Dedi Fariadi, Ezwarsyah Ezwarsyah, Misbahul Jannah · Transmisi: Jurnal Ilmiah Teknik Elektro · Indonesia

This research designed and built an Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring and control system for aquaponics to automatically monitor environmental parameters like water temperature, pH, and turbidity using sensors. Testing showed the system could monitor water turbidity (0.86-12.93 NTU), pH (7.38-6.68), and temperature (26.31-27.69 °C) via LCD and Blynk software. It also automated fish feeding at specific times with an average of 21.5 grams per second.

Sharad Sharma, Gita Kumari Shah, Arjun Aryal, Bipan Bahadur Tiwari, Bharat Khanal · Nepalese Journal of Agricultural Sciences · Nepal

The SOLID Health project by Nepal Development Society (NeDS) promoted household waste management and homestead farming in Bharatpur, Janakpur, and Pokhara, Nepal, from 2021 to 2024. A survey of 348 households found that 81% practiced either rooftop or kitchen gardening, with rooftop farming most prevalent in Pokhara (64%) and kitchen gardening in Bharatpur (71%). The project led to a 69% change in knowledge and attitude towards waste management and a 39% overall increase in home composting practice. Socio-demographic factors like education level, income, and land availability significantly influenced adoption, with higher education and larger homestead land areas linked to greater practice of kitchen gardening and rooftop farming.

Dimas Aditiya, Lili Dasa Putri, Solfema Solfema · Edukasi Elita Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan · Indonesia

This literature review examines hydroponics as a solution to urban agricultural land shrinkage, citing a drastic reduction in rice fields in Sukawati District, Bali, from 497.24 Ha in 1985 to 211.42 Ha in 2016. It focuses on hydroponic training for housewives, which led to the establishment of a communal hydroponic garden and individual plans for independent hydroponic cultivation, demonstrating its success in improving food security.

Emma L. Sharp, Cavadino Alana, Kah Melanie · Wellbeing Space and Society · New Zealand

An online survey of 266 food gardeners in New Zealand investigated changes in food gardening experiences during the Covid-19 lockdown. Approximately two-thirds of participants reported gardening for mental or physical wellbeing during lockdown, prioritizing wellbeing over healthy food production compared to before lockdown. Growing culturally relevant food increased in importance for Māori and Pacific Island participants.

Aleksandra Nowysz, Łukasz Szczepanowicz · Sustainability · Poland

This paper examines the effectiveness of urban farming microinterventions through three design-led case studies in Poland. The cases include "Blooming Structure" (2018, Warsaw), a temporary hydroponic installation; "Micro-cultivation" (2018, Warsaw), a shopfront vertical demonstration farm; and "Micro-cultivation 2" (2019), modular cultivation furniture. The analysis combined project documentation with practice-based observations, applying five interpretive dimensions: spatial fit, technical feasibility, communicative legibility, replicability, and social programming. Findings indicate that successful microinterventions align legible cultivation infrastructure with high visibility, accessibility, and participatory formats that support skills transfer and copying-based scaling. Limitations of this study include the small sample size and its concentration on projects from Poland.

Md. Monirul Islam, Joydeb Gomasta, Md. Abdul Quddus, Asma Anwari, A. K. M. Saiful Islam, Md. Torikul Islam · New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science · Global

A two-year pot experiment was conducted from 2020 to 2022 on the roof of a four-story building to identify an optimal growing medium for dragon fruit cultivation on rooftops. Seven different combinations of soil, cocodust, biochar, and vermicompost were evaluated, with the medium comprising 80% cocodust and 20% vermicompost (T2) showing the highest branch count, fruit count, fruit weight, and yield in the second year. T2 also improved edible portion, TSS, and vitamin C contents, and exhibited the highest benefit-cost ratio (4.17).

Channaty Ngang, Donchida Wathinputhiporn, Lyda Hok, David R. Ader, Cherdpong Kheerajit · Thai Journal of Agricultural Science · Cambodia

This study investigated the role of school garden programs in facilitating the transfer of Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) knowledge from students to their families, involving 120 families in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews in June 2024 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and logistic regression models. Results showed that parents' occupation, perceived benefits of SAI, and social influence were significant predictors of their willingness to apply SAI practices at home.

Shu Tian Ng, Angela K.‐Y. Leung · Sustainable Development · Global

Three studies (N=383, N=591, N=397) investigated how modern food practices influence pro-environmental motivation through the perceived association of food with nature. The research found that growing food had a positive indirect relationship with pro-environmentalism via food-nature association. However, evidence for natural food consumption was weaker, and cooking showed no significant effects on this relationship.

Riana Magdalena Silitonga, Stefani Prima Dias Kristiana, Ronald Sukwadi · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Charitas · Indonesia (Tangerang)

In Nagrek Village, Tangerang, Indonesia, an urban farming program was implemented to address the lack of green open space and engage non-productive housewives. The program, utilizing conventional and hydroponic systems, involved five stages: preparation, outreach, training, mentoring, and evaluation, with results recorded on the Artemis digital platform. The urban farming training led to Nagrek Village appearing more beautiful, and many non-participant residents expressed interest in adopting urban farming in their own homes.

Riski Arifin, T. Arriessa Sukhairi, Arief Gunawan, Syaubari, Rika Sri Utami, Nur Irhamni Sabrina, Okpri Meila, Dhea Nur Fadhilah · Jurnal Pengabdian Sains dan Rekayasa. · Indonesia

This activity designed, built, and implemented a solar-based hydroponic system in Gampong Barabung, Aceh Besar Regency, Indonesia, to introduce sustainable plant cultivation. An NFT hydroponic system with 120 planting holes was successfully integrated with a 150 Wp solar panel to power the nutrient circulation pump. The system operated well for vegetable cultivation, demonstrating the potential of integrating hydroponic technology and solar energy for efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices at the village level.

Chaudhari Gunjan, Thakare S. W · International Scientific Journal of Engineering and Management · Global

Bloom Finder is an intelligent decision-support system designed to assist users in selecting suitable flower species based on environmental and personal preferences. This system integrates personalized flower care tips, optimized fertilizer guidance, and an expanded range of flower categories. Leveraging IoT-enabled sensors and machine learning algorithms, it provides precise, data-driven recommendations by continuously monitoring environmental parameters such as soil pH, moisture, rainfall, temperature, humidity, and light intensity.

Pranali Nitnaware, Rina Mundle, Disha Sahastrabuddhe, Shahastrika Kamble, Himanshu Nandankar · Open MIND · Global

This paper proposes an Android application integrating plant disease detection and waste management for urban agriculture. The system uses a lightweight TensorFlow Lite CNN model to detect plant diseases from leaf images in real time and provides treatment recommendations. It also includes a module for users to submit waste complaints with images, descriptions, and GPS information, allowing administrators to monitor and update statuses via the cloud.

Svenja Baumgartinger · International explorations in outdoor and environmental education · Global

Companion planting is a natural gardening practice where crops are grown together to support each other's growth and foster relationships within a larger network of organisms. This practice contributes to biodiversity by supporting natural processes in the garden. Designing school gardens as companion planting gardens can allow students to experience biodiversity and learn about organism interactions.

Sri Khaerani Rahman, Restu Januarty Hamid, Idris Syahril, Marini Ambo Wellang · Abdimas Langkanae · Indonesia

This article discusses the TEBA (Organic Waste Bin) development program in Untia Village, Indonesia, aimed at reducing household organic waste. The program involved building 6 TEBA units, training residents in organic waste management, and assisting them in composting for productive activities like urban farming. Results showed increased community awareness in sorting organic waste, reduced waste volume sent to landfills, and the formation of a sustainable community-based waste management system.

Vidyashree K P, Udayabalan B, Shilpa M S, Madhusudhana R, Nandini S, Bhagyalakshmi R, Shivani T J · Journal of Integrated Science and Technology · Global

This research proposed a plant species recognition system based on deep learning technology to guide plant selection and management in rooftop gardening and urban agriculture. The system comprises four steps: image acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. The model was trained on a dataset of 80,000 images of 14 plant species, utilizing transfer learning on a ResNet9 architecture. The model achieved a score of approximately 92 out of 100.

Hidayatsyah Hidayatsyah, Sudirman Sudirman, Masithah Mahsa, Khairani Hanum, Cut Rozatul Haliza, Risfani Putri, Syakilla Adza Maya, Sri Anggi Rezeki, Shofia Ummi · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bangsa · Indonesia

An independent agriculture education program based on Luffa acutangula (gambas) cultivation was implemented for environmental cadres at SMPN 1 Sawang in Indonesia. Using a participatory approach, the activity led to significant improvements in participants' understanding of urban agricultural ecosystems, motivation for environmental sustainability, and technical skills in cultivating multi-purpose plants. A post-activity evaluation showed that 90% of participants were able to independently design gambas-based school gardens.

Shanty Yahya, Herdy Syam, Mika Patayang · Jurnal ETAM · Indonesia

In Indonesia, a community service program was implemented at Day Care Husnul Khatimah for productive elderly women, focusing on organic vegetable cultivation on limited land. The program provided training on making liquid organic fertilizer from household waste, cultivating vegetable seeds, and organic vegetable cultivation. Participants planted several types of vegetables and showed interest in continuing the activities independently.

Piedley Macêdo Saraiva, Aline Maia de Macedo, Cicera Giovanna Michelly Ferreira de Oliveira, Enzo Fernandes Sá, Laysa Yanne Silva Moreira, Thayla Sousa de Oliveira, Rayna Petrola Rocha Dias Milfont · Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação · Brazil

This study analyzed the implementation of a vertical garden in a nursing home in Juazeiro do Norte-CE, Brazil. The intervention contributed to the reuse of construction waste, the production of toxic-free food, and increased opportunities for interaction among residents and caregivers. However, it also revealed limitations related to the vulnerability of the target audience, scheduling incompatibilities with the academic team, and the institution's dependence on continuous garden maintenance.

Ding X., Li W., Sun X., Peng Y. · Journal of Environmental Management · China

Proposes a method for assessing urban-agriculture potential at the residential-community scale, combining cluster analysis, 3D model reconstruction, multi-criteria decision-making and GIS. Low-density high-rise communities showed the strongest spatial suitability, while high-density low-rise communities scored highest on sustainable potential; overall ranking was low-density high-rise > high-density low-rise > large-footprint pitched-roof > old communities. Construction year was the key factor, with building density, gross floor area and roof slope shaping potential via sunlight, planting area and accessibility.

Ivonne M. Leiwakabessy, Novalien Syauta, Lili Sarce Joi Sapari, Joni Penda, Denny Petta, Dormauli Br Gultom, Dwi Indah Widya Yanti, Melisa Masengi · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Riset Pendidikan · Indonesia

A community-service report from Pulau Soop, a small island in Indonesia, aimed at strengthening household food security by using home yards and plastic bottles as planting media in response to limited land and increasing plastic waste. Students at SMP Negeri 9 Pulau Soop were trained to convert plastic bottles into planting containers and to cultivate vegetables, gaining knowledge and practical skills in recycling, appropriate technology and simple cultivation methods. The program resulted in improved student understanding and active participation, and led to the establishment of a school mini garden as an urban farming model, supporting environmental education, reduced plastic waste, and yard-based food security in the small island community.

Santanu Maiti, 2S. Aanand, 3Rajalakshmi Kalaivanan, 4V. Mahendra Varman, · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

A technical guide describing wicking bed aquaponics, a resource-efficient, home-scale food production system that combines aquaculture with soilless plant cultivation. Fish waste is biologically converted into nutrients for plants, while the wicking bed functions as a sub-irrigation unit that uses capillary action to move water from a reservoir to the plant root zone, providing consistent moisture while minimizing evaporation loss.

Wiwin Yuliani, Novia Indah Lestari, Bayu Mahendra, Putri Wening Ratrinia, Lisa Astria Milasari · Abdibaraya Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

A community service program in a residential area of Tasikmalaya, Indonesia, addressed accumulating household organic waste by training residents to convert kitchen waste into liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) at home. Thirty participants, housewives and environmental cadres, took part in situation analysis, socialization on the economic value of waste, technical training in LOF production, and assisted fermentation using an EM4 bioactivator, with knowledge and skills measured before and after. Participants' knowledge rose from 35% to 95%, technical skill from 10% to 85%, and awareness of waste's economic value from 20% to 90%, and participants reported being able to produce LOF independently to support small-scale urban farming on limited land.

Melissa Caballes, Jose Mari S. Uy · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Philippines

At Quezon City University in the Philippines, researchers surveyed 250 entrepreneurship students selected through stratified random sampling, using a structured Google Form questionnaire, to investigate urban farming as a tool for cultivating innovation among students. The study concluded that embedding urban farming into entrepreneurship education provides a holistic framework for skill development while promoting environmental awareness, and recommended that academic institutions integrate urban farming into their curricula and build partnerships with community stakeholders.

Flora Elvistia Firdaus, M. Dachyar · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science · Asia

This study examined food self-sufficiency in limited spaces as a survival strategy among Indonesian migrant communities in Malaysia, through a community-based educational program teaching container gardening, vertical planting and cultivation using recycled materials, targeted at migrant households and particularly women engaged in informal economic activities, delivered through demonstration, participatory discussion and knowledge exchange. Participants responded positively, viewing food self-sufficiency as a feasible strategy for household resilience and small-space cultivation as a practical way to reduce food expenses and improve access to fresh food, with the program highlighting the importance of culturally relevant practices and community-based learning for adoption.

Ana Paula Branco do Nascimento, Rafael Silva de Araújo, Thais Reis Rocha, Ramoel Serafini · Revista Nacional de Gerenciamento de Cidades · Brazil

This applied, exploratory-experimental study designed and implemented a rainwater harvesting and irrigation automation system for food plant beds at a community garden ("Horta das Flores") under an impermeable roof in the eastern region of São Paulo, Brazil, aiming to reduce dependence on manual irrigation by volunteers. Developed through literature and technical review, field measurements, hydraulic efficiency tests, and component adjustments, the system was found to be technically and operationally feasible, ensuring regular water supply while reducing manual effort, and field evaluation enabled further hydraulic improvements and automation adjustments.