Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
892 results(22 / 36)
Potential of Technosols Created with Urban By-Products for Rooftop Edible Production
2020Baptiste Grard, Nastaran Manouchehri, Christine Aubry, Nathalie Frascaria‐Lacoste, Claire Chenu · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Global
A five-year experimental trial quantified the food production potential, soil fertility, and potential contamination of Technosols created from urban wastes for rooftop edible production. The cropping system showed promising results for food production and maintained high fertility. However, a concern was identified regarding the trace metal content of certain edible crops, specifically zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), although most trace metal levels were below existing norms.
Contamination & food safetyDIYCompostOrganic cycleHealthInfluence of different ratio of soil and organic fertilizers on growth and yield of strawberry and marigold for rooftop garden
2020Alak Barman, Swarna Shome · International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) · Bangladesh
An experiment in Gazipur during 2018-19 investigated the effect of six different ratios of soil and organic materials on strawberry and marigold growth and yield for rooftop gardens. Marigold performed best with 1 kg vermicompost for 1 kg soil (T5), while strawberry showed best performance in most parameters under the same treatment. The lowest yield was recorded from 1 kg cowdung for 2 kg soil (T4).
DIYCompostOrganic cycleUrban farming a gyakorlatban
2020Karácsony Zoltán · · Global
This paper presents three examples of urban plant cultivation directions. One of these,
Food educationCommunityDIYGreen School
2020S. Serra, P. Afonso, Tereza Cristina Lopes Duarte · Open Schools Journal for Open Science · Global
In a school in Portugal, an interdisciplinary "Green School" project, encompassing Natural Sciences, Mathematics, ICT, and other subjects, was implemented based on student interest. For this project, students were involved in planning, partnership building, execution, and maintenance of a school garden to improve school green spaces. As a result, throughout the school year, changes in behavior regarding the garden and care for green spaces were observed among participating students and the wider school community.
Food educationCommunityDIYPerempuan Produktif dalam Kegiatan Regrow di RW 15 Kelurahan Tanjung Mas Semarang
2020Rustina Untari, Angelika Riyandari, Bernadeta Resti Nurhayati, Ekawati Marhaenny Dukut, Emilia Ninik Aydawati, Alberta Rika Pratiwi, Retno Yustini, Hotmauli Sidabalok, VG Sri Rejeki · Unika Repositor (Unika) · Indonesia (Semarang)
To mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and children, the Center for Women's Studies (PSW) Unika Soegijapranata provided guidance to productive women in Tanjung Mas Village, Semarang, Indonesia, on urban farming using a "regrow" method for vegetables and herbs. The guidance, mostly online via WhatsApp, involved creating modules and video tutorials. Success varied significantly among participants, with some producing many vegetables and herbs while others showed no progress.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareDIYPkM: Pelatihan Budidaya Damber Sebagai Solusi Pemenuhan Pangan Berbasis Keluarga
2020Akhmad Satori, Yogi Nirwanto, Sri Hardianti, Faisal Fadilla Noorikhsan · · Indonesia
The "Budikdamber" (fish cultivation in buckets) aquaponics method is presented as an urban farming solution for household food needs in Indonesia, especially for urban communities with limited yard space. This method allows fish and plants to grow in the same place, providing animal protein and vegetables. It aims to enhance food security, strengthen community cohesion, and support household economies through harvest sales.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityUrban Farming: Teknologi Vertikultur Limbah Plastik untuk Mewujudkan Sekolah Dasar Berbasis Green School
2020Aditya Dyah Utami, Mukti Ahmad Nur Cahya, Olivia Elfatma, Koko Setiawan · PRIMA Journal of Community Empowering and Services · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
Urban elementary schools often have minimal green open spaces, making it difficult to implement green school programs, as seen at SD Islamiyah Warungboto Yogyakarta. Introducing verticulture technology to students is a solution, implemented through preparation, execution, and final stages. Students learn about verticulture generally, then receive training in designing verticulture systems, gaining knowledge of its benefits and supporting green school programs.
Food educationDIYCommunityOrganic cycleProductivity, resource efficiency and financial savings: An investigation of the current capabilities and potential of South Australian home food gardens
2020Georgia Csortan, James Ward, Philip Roetman · PLoS ONE · Australia
The productivity, resource efficiency, and potential financial savings of home food gardens in South Australia were investigated. Thirty-four citizen science participants measured and recorded garden inputs and outputs, revealing that smaller gardens were more intensive than larger ones, requiring higher inputs but also yielding higher outputs per unit area. Labor requirements were significantly lower than previously estimated, and it was calculated that 65% of the gardens should break even within five years or less and save money.
DIYEconomicsCommunityAlquimias da Terra: uma experiência de usos das ervas medicinais na faxina ecológica
2020Janaina Henrique dos Santos, Clara Fagundes, Beatriz Barbalho, Nicole Massa · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Global
This report details an experience in ecological, medicinal, and biodegradable cleaning using medicinal herbs, developed by two female urban farmers. The farmers, after training, produced cleaning products for personal use and then for commercialization, aligning with agroecological urban agriculture principles. This initiative promotes income generation and women's autonomy through the use of medicinal plants and agroecological cleaning products.
DIYCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceDesign and Validation of a Low Cost Programmable Controlled Environment for Study and Production of Plants, Mushroom, and Insect Larvae
2019Padmanabha M., Streif S. · Applied Sciences · Global
Designs and validates a low-cost modular programmable controlled-environment device for quantitative study of growth in plants, fungi, and insect larvae. It consists of modular units including a sensor cluster measuring gas concentrations, air properties, and growing-medium properties.
DIYOyster Mushroom Cultivation as an Economic and Nutritive Alternative for Rural Low-Income Women in Villapinzón (Colombia)
2019· Springer (book chapter) · Villapinzón, Colombia
Examines low-cost oyster mushroom cultivation as an income- and nutrition-generating alternative for rural low-income women in Villapinzon, Colombia. Highlights mushroom growing as an accessible, low-capital livelihood option.
DIYWelfareEconomicsAffordable remote monitoring of plant growth in facilities using Raspberry Pi computers
2019· Applications in Plant Sciences · Global
GMpi, a low-cost growth-environment monitoring system built from a Raspberry Pi, open-source software, inexpensive environmental sensors and a camera that automates readings, imaging and out-of-range alerts, and is customizable and scalable.
DIYEconomicsDesign, construction, verification and testing of a low cost germinator
2019Hernández López A., Avila Alejandre A.X., Mendoza Francisco N., Hernández López H. · Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas · Mexico
Design, construction and testing of a low-cost seed germinator built from locally available materials that automatically controls temperature and photoperiod, with an Arduino Uno temperature verifier; total cost about US$58, competitive with commercial germinators.
DIYEconomicsEffect of stocking density of fish on water quality and growth performance of European Carp and leafy vegetables in a low-tech aquaponic system
2019Maucieri C., Nicoletto C., Zanin G., Birolo M., Trocino A., Sambo P., Borin M., Xiccato G. · PLOS ONE · Italy
In a low-tech aquaponic system, two fish stocking densities were compared for their effects on water quality, European carp growth and leafy vegetable yield; the lower density (2.5 kg/m3) improved water quality and production.
DIYExperimental investigation of wicking bed irrigation using shallow-rooted crops grown under glasshouse conditions
2019· Irrigation Science · Australia
Glasshouse experiment investigating wicking bed irrigation for shallow-rooted crops, examining lettuce and two radish varieties.
DIYROOFTOP FARMING: AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL FARMING FOR URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
2019Jha Ritesh Kumar, Bhattarai Natasha, KC Suraj, Shrestha Arjun Kumar, Kadariya Manahar · Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agricultural · Nepal
This research inspected existing practices and obstacles in rooftop farming in Nagdhungha and Birauta, Nepal. Two practitioners were interviewed and 60 non-practitioners were surveyed. Results show that rooftop farming can benefit the environment by reducing atmospheric carbon and assist urban areas by reducing stormwater management costs, with a high willingness to practice rooftop farming among urban dwellers.
Economic viabilityDIYCommunityBiodiversityClimate changePerformance of Floating Raft Fertigation System on Water Spinach Plants (Ipomea reptans Poir.) Cultivation
2019Rizal Hadyan Fadhlillah, Sophia Dwiratna, Kharistya Amaru · Jurnal Pertanian Tropik/Jurnal Online Pertanian Tropik · Indonesia
This descriptive study, conducted on a rooftop at Padjadjaran University, investigated the performance of a floating raft fertigation system for water spinach cultivation over one growth period (16 days after transplanting). It measured water, nutrient, and electricity consumption, finding 300.63 liters of water, 3860 ml of nutrients, and 31.816 kW of electricity. The study reported good growth uniformity, 99.6 kg/m3 water use efficiency, and 72.8 kg/m2 plant productivity.
DIYClimate changeEconomicsAGROECOLOGIA: DIFUSÃO DE SUAS PRÁTICAS DE PORTA EM PORTA
2019Talia Talita Sehn, Cassiano Peixoto Rosa, Andersson Daniel Steffler, Daiane Karina Grellmann, Divanilde Guerra · · Brazil (Tres Passos)
The objective was to identify cultivated species and their management, and to disseminate agroecological practices in domestic gardens and orchards in the urban perimeter of Tres Passos-RS, Brazil. Over two years, 177 residences were visited in the first year, with 165 (95%) having orchards and 147 (87%) having vegetable gardens. In the second year, 12 residences were visited, all (100%) cultivating vegetables and 10 (75%) having fruit trees.
DIYFood educationOrganic cycleDIY Detroit: Making Do in a City without Services by Kimberley Kinder
2019Brian Doucet · Technology and Culture · United States (Detroit)
Kimberley Kinder's book, "DIY Detroit: Making Do in a City without Services," ethnographically documents how Detroit residents engage in self-provisioning strategies to address voids in safety, municipal services, and development. The book details six strategies, including acting as informal realtors, defensive architecture for vacant homes, and repurposing vacant properties for urban gardening, often in "gray spaces" abandoned by landowners and neglected by officials.
DIYCommunityBiosolids Improve Urban Soil Properties and Vegetable Production in Urban Agriculture
2019Odiney Alvarez‐Campos, Gregory K. Evanylo · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · United States
This field study in Blacksburg, VA, investigated the effects of exceptional quality (EQ) biosolids on urban soil properties and vegetable yield over two years (2016-2018). Biosolids increased soil carbon storage by 37-84% compared to controls, but soil nitrogen availability was lower than expected. Reclamation rates of biosolids resulted in higher yields for cabbage (∼3.1 kg m⁻²) and Siberian kale (∼1.1 kg m⁻²) than inorganic fertilizer (1.0 kg m⁻² and 0.4 kg m⁻² respectively) in fall 2017, indicating potential to increase vegetable yield despite limiting soil conditions.
Organic cycleDIYHealthOpuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. growing in soil and containers for urban agriculture in developing areas
2019A. Pardini, Furio Massolino, Chiara Grassi · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global
In urban agriculture in developing areas, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. is a promising strategic species due to its low water and soil fertility requirements and its edible entirety. This study conducted a trial comparing the initial productivity of cladodes multiplied in pots, car tires, and open fields. Results suggest that the prickly pear can be cropped better in large exhausted tires than in small plots, also saving money on materials.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeSOSIALISASI URBAN FARMING MELALUI BUDIDAYA TANAMAN SAYURAN SECARA VERTIKULTUR DAN HIDROPONIK DI KELURAHAN KALIJAGA, KECAMATAN HARJAMUKTI, KOTA CIREBON
2019Wachdijono Wachdijono, Siti Wahyuni, Umi Trisnaningsih · QARDHUL HASAN MEDIA PENGABDIAN KEPADA MASYARAKAT · Indonesia (Cirebon City)
A community service program in Kalijaga Village, Cirebon City, Indonesia, aimed to enhance PKK members' knowledge and skills in verticultural and hydroponic vegetable cultivation. Through training, including counseling, demonstrations, and practice, participants' knowledge improved, with those initially unfamiliar with verticulture gaining understanding. The program encouraged participants to practice verticulture and hydroponics in their own homes.
Food educationDIYCommunityA IMPORTÂNCIA DE JARDINS VERTICAIS PARA A EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL E A UTILIZAÇÃO DE PLANTAS ALIMENTÍCIAS NÃO CONVÊNCIONAIS (PANC) COMO ESTÍMULO À AGRICULTURA URBANA
2019Luiza Oliveira Kossatz, Luciana Adelmann · Anais do EVINCI - UniBrasil · Brazil (Paraná)
This work aims to disseminate the concept of urban agriculture by raising awareness of environmental education's benefits for human development. It proposes adopting gardens made from recycled/reusable materials and utilizing endemic Paraná plant species, known as Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANC), that can be cultivated in vertical gardens and serve as food. The research intends to highlight the need to preserve local biodiversity and reduce urban pollution.
Food educationBiodiversityDIYUrban–rural linkagePropuesta metodológica simple para el cultivo agrícola urbano (basada en la experiencia de una familia venezolana en Viena)
2019Debbie Méndez, Julio Quintini · · Austria (Vienna)
This project proposes a simple 7-step methodology for urban agriculture, based on the experience of a Venezuelan family participating in a community garden in Vienna, Austria, for two years. The methodology aims to enable urban residents to create sustainable communities, improve nutrition with fresh produce, and generate economic gains and better quality of life. It draws on successful urban agriculture experiences globally and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 2, 11, and 13.
CommunityDIYFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changePEMBERDAYAAN KELOMPOK DASA WISMA AGROPERTIWI DALAM PENGEMBANGAN PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN DI DUSUN PERMATA ANYAR DESA UBUNG KAJA KECAMATAN DENPASAR UTARA KOTA DENPASAR
2019Indayati Lanya, Ni Made Trigunasih, AI Nyoman Sunarta, I Dewa made Arthagama · Buletin Udayana Mengabdi · Indonesia (Denpasar)
On July 13, 2019, a training program on potted fruit and vegetable cultivation techniques was conducted in Denpasar City for 40 members of the Dasa Wisma Agropertiwi group. The training, which included instruction and demonstrations of cultivation methods, enhanced participants' knowledge and skills. Participants showed enthusiasm and requested additional training on organic fertilizer production.
Food educationDIYCommunity