Research & reports

· · India

The IIHS Campus in Kengeri, India, is located at the intersection of Ramasagara Lake, Sulikere Forest, and an urban settlement, making it a suitable site to examine the interconnectedness between natural systems and the built environment. The campus aims to become an archetype of a safe space for humans and nature, building eco-friendly and climate-resilient structures, and establishing a multidisciplinary living lab. The NATURAL SYSTEMS Box Set documents the campus's water systems, biodiversity, integrated campus agriculture, and related experiments.

Henny Rusmiyati, Ulil Azmi Nurlaili Afifah, Fitriani Eka Puji Lestari, Doni Sahat Tua Manalu, Harries Marithasari · Agrokreatif Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

In Buduan Village, East Java, where green spaces are diminishing, an IPB Vocational School team provided urban farming training using hydrogel planting media to 33 participants from local community groups. The training aimed to increase environmental awareness and knowledge of cultivation methods for limited land. Participants gained knowledge about urban farming and implemented hydrogel planting in their homes as an initial step towards environmental care.

Sri Tuntung Pandangwati, Benjamin Cooke, Melissa Neave · Australian Geographer · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This paper examined the relevance of an Agroecological Transition for the Special Region of Yogyakarta (SRY), Indonesia, emphasizing farmers’ perspectives and experiences. Data were gathered from policy documents, field observations, and 34 semi-structured interviews with farmers. Findings indicated that although there is limited discourse about agroecology in current policies, some farmers and NGOs have developed agroecological niche innovations.

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.

Muhammad Taufiq, Nasfryzal Carlo, Dwifitra Y Jumas, Eva Rita, Lusi Utama · Structure (Jurnal Sipil) · Indonesia

This research focused on the Setting and Infrastructure indicator of the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking program at Medan State Polytechnic (Polmed) in Indonesia. The study found that Polmed's current score is 440 out of an expected 1500. To improve the score, the abstract suggests implementing vertical or rooftop gardens, creating biopore infiltration holes, replacing paving blocks with grass blocks, and installing guiding blocks and ramps for disabled facilities.

Jamilah Muryati, Naufal Hilmizen, Aris Munandar, Endang Koswara · VISA Journal of Vision and Ideas · Indonesia

This Community Service (PKM) project in Indonesia addressed eye fatigue from prolonged digital device use among teachers and students. The method involved counseling and utilizing school gardens as a data source. Distilled hydrosol water from betel leaves, kecombrang, and jasmine flowers was used for eye drops, while betel leaves, kecombrang, ylang-ylang, and bidara leaves were combined for face mist.

Geger Nusantara Putera, Erlinda Yurisinthae, Maswadi Maswadi · MIMBAR AGRIBISNIS Jurnal Pemikiran Masyarakat Ilmiah Berwawasan Agribisnis · Indonesia (Pontianak)

This descriptive quantitative study, conducted in Sungai Jawi Dalam sub-district, Pontianak City, analyzed factors influencing urban farming interest using primary data from 32 purposively sampled individuals and Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis. The research found that the "Business Opportunity" variable had no effect on urban farming interest. However, the "Land Use" variable positively affected urban farming interest (p=0.008, original sample value 0.479), explaining 47.9% of the interest.

Xiaoying Ding, Shuqi Zhao, Xiaopeng Yue, Yangang Xing, Zhiyuan Zhao · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · China

This study explored the correlation between design factors and the benefits of an edible campus, using the South Campus of Hebei University of Technology in China as a case study. Through 261 questionnaire surveys and 30 interviews, it identified seven design factor categories and five benefit categories, including environmental education and economic output. The results showed significant differences in how design factors correlate with benefits, with planting function having the strongest positive correlation with all five benefits.

Tiara Himma Fadhilah, Adilah Dwita Cahyana, Ferdiansyah Dwiky Nugraha, Gideon Setyo Budiwitjaksono · JURNAL PENGABDIAN MASYARAKAT AKADEMISI · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This community service program aimed to empower residents of Gebang Putih Subdistrict, Surabaya, through urban farming. Activities included outreach and training on hydroponics and growing plants in pots. Residents showed positive responses and high enthusiasm, indicating that urban farming can increase food security, family independence, environmental quality, and public health.

Yihang Hu, Junbiao Zhang, Yangmei Zeng, Jie Li · Land Degradation and Development · China

A study in Zhejiang Province, China, examined the impact of climate factors on agricultural production efficiency using a pooled OLS model. While precipitation production potential showed a significantly positive impact, the effects of temperature, evapotranspiration, and insolation were not significant or exhibited poor stability. Furthermore, the benefits of precipitation potential varied, with only a few cities experiencing significant improvements.

Jing Zhao, Faziawati Abdul Aziz, Norsidah Ujang · International Journal of Business and Technology Management · China (Wuxi)

This study investigated the correlation between residents' needs and the provision of neighborhood outdoor spaces in Wuxi, China, through the lens of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, using survey data from 372 residents. Findings revealed that residents seek clean and verdant spaces at the physiological level, well-lit and secure spaces for safety, environments like community gardens that encourage interaction for love and belonging, aesthetically appealing spaces that bolster local identity for esteem, and areas providing avenues for personal development, such as neighborhood vegetable gardens, for self-actualization.

Sopian Alviana, Bobi Kurniawan · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Tekno. · Indonesia

This community service program aimed to empower residents of Griya Pataruman Asri, Indonesia, through hydroponic urban farming, addressing limited agricultural land in urban areas. The program provided training and understanding of hydroponic technology, and distributed 10 hydroponic kits to residents. This initiative sought to utilize vacant land and enable residents to cultivate crops with limited space.

Vaneeza Iftikhar, Nageena Ghafoor · Axis Journal of Agriculture & Biological Sciences · India

A quasi-experimental study with 194 adolescents aged 11–15 years in government schools of South Punjab, India, assessed if integrating school gardening with nutrition education improves dietary habits. After a 12-week intervention, the intervention group showed an increase in mean dietary diversity from 4.2 to 6.1 and a decrease in weekly junk food servings from 9.8 to 5.2. Compared to the control group, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both dietary diversity and junk food consumption.

Ilham Nur Hanifan Maulana, Chandra Dinata, Aditya Chisabul Amali, Ditania Arya Dewi · JRTI (Jurnal Riset Tindakan Indonesia) · Indonesia (Malang)

This qualitative case study in Sukun Village, Malang City, Indonesia, investigated urban farming's potential for diverse food security and community empowerment through commercialization. Data was collected via in-depth interviews with 15 stakeholders, participatory observations, and document analysis. Findings indicate that urban farming contributes to micro-food security by providing fresh produce, fostering social solidarity, and increasing household incomes through cooperative models and agrotourism, also highlighting its integration with educational tourism for economic sustainability.

Puji Lestari Tarigan, Edi Purnomo Sasongko, Haidar Fari Aditya, Wanti Mindari, Ramadhani Mahendra Kusuma, Fitri Wijayanti · Journal of Community Service · Indonesia (Sidoarjo)

This community service activity in RW IX, Griya Bhayangkara, Sidoarjo, East Java, introduced the cultivation of green grass jelly using urban farming methods like polybags and pots to PKK groups. The aim was to highlight the plant's benefits for digestion, blood sugar, and cancer prevention, and its potential for household-scale processing. The activity, which included lectures and practical sessions, resulted in the distribution of grass jelly plants for care and harvesting, with the PKK group finding them interesting and beneficial for various food preparations.

Tri Wahyu Nugroho, Aulia Luqman Aziz, Hery Toiba, Ahmad Imron Rozuli, Suyadi Suyadi · JAPI (Jurnal Akses Pengabdian Indonesia) · Indonesia (Malang)

This community service activity in Mulyoagung Village, Malang, Indonesia, aimed to empower the local economy through urban farming by utilizing organic waste such as cocopeat and polybags as growing media. The program successfully enabled the community to adopt urban farming concepts, proving its effectiveness in addressing shrinking agricultural land and strengthening the local economy. However, it is also noted that sources of materials, human resources, and market access are among the obstacles causing urban farming failures.

Muhammad Sholeh, Deby Luriawati Naryatmojo, Saptono Putro, Andri Sumihar Simbolon · Jurnal Abdimas · Indonesia (Semarang)

In Tambakrejo, Semarang City, Indonesia, an urban farming initiative supported by SAKA Energi Muriah Limited and Semarang State University aimed to enhance food security and climate change adaptation. The program involved community empowerment, training, and implementation of urban farming models like vertical pipes and hanging pots. This initiative successfully provided alternative food sources, especially during floods, and increased community awareness of food security and the environment.

Minah Baek, Eunseo Jeong, Eunjeong Kang · Academy of Urban Health · South Korea

This systematic review analyzed 19 domestic studies on the health effects of care farming in South Korea, noting an increase in research since 2020 across diverse fields. Horticultural therapy was the most common intervention, with insect, forest, and urban gardening showing positive effects on stress, depression, and cognitive and emotional functions. Recommendations included increased attention from healthcare researchers, standardization of practices, and policy support.

Muhammad Nurul Fadel, Intan Adevia Rosnarita, Bintari Tri Sukoharjanti, Riana Rahmawati, Muhamad Khudzaifi, Emma Jayanti Besan, Hasriyani Hasriyani, Galih Kurniawan · Jurnal Abdimas Indonesia · Indonesia

A community service activity in Indonesia aimed to educate residents on the benefits and uses of TOGA (family medicinal plants) urban farming. The method involved education and discussion to enhance community experience and knowledge in applying TOGA urban farming, including cultivation and utilization, and discussing the importance of natural ingredients and TOGA as an alternative treatment for minor illnesses. The findings indicate increased productivity and empowerment among residents regarding TOGA urban farming, alongside heightened empathy and awareness among pharmacists and pharmaceutical personnel in providing education.

Yessy Pristika Efendy, Hadi Suhardjono, Widiwurjani Widiwurjani · JURNAL AGROTROPIKA · Indonesia

This study investigated the optimal planting media composition and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) concentration for pakcoy plants using a completely randomized design with two factors. The first factor included soil, compost, and goat manure in ratios of 1:1:1, 1:1:2, and 1:2:1, while the second factor involved LOF and urea concentrations at four levels. The combination of planting medium composition 1:1:2 and LOF concentration of 4 ml/liter water yielded the best results for all observed growth and production parameters.

Legenda Samuel Pardede, Tomy Perdana, Dhany Esperanza, Endah Djuwendah · Jurnal Agristan · Indonesia (Bandung)

This qualitative case study investigated the internal supply chain risk management for mustard greens (sawi) at the "Buruan SAE Mang Oded" urban farming group in Bandung City, Indonesia. Using the House of Risk method, the study identified 23 risk events and 23 risk agents within the supply chain, with 14 priority risk agents requiring control. The findings indicate significant challenges in managing the internal supply chain, suggesting that the current system faces numerous risks that hinder efficiency and effectiveness.

Muzayyanah Rahmiyah, Eka Nur Jannah, Fuad Hilmy · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bumi Raflesia · Indonesia (Magelang)

In Magelang City, Indonesia, residents of Sari Makmur Organic Village cultivate vegetables in their home gardens, but pests and diseases pose a problem. This activity aimed to enhance residents' knowledge and skills in making plant-based pesticides from papaya leaves through counseling and demonstrations. Additionally, yellow traps were installed in the fields.

Firda Rachma Amalia, Syarifuddin Nasution · Jurnal Sistem dan Manajemen Industri · Indonesia (Bogor Regency)

AKA Farm, an urban silver catfish hatchery in Bogor Regency, Indonesia, faced challenges of low efficiency and responsiveness due to complex production processes, leading to suboptimal harvest outcomes. This study developed and implemented an IoT-based monitoring and control system to address water quality conditions, as fluctuations in water temperature and pH impact fish metabolism and survival. The system uses the Blynk application for real-time monitoring and control, with actuators automatically optimizing aquarium conditions when temperature and pH are not optimal, substantially improving silver catfish survival and growth.

Deborah Dutta, Amrita B. Hazra · Southern African journal of environmental education · India

This qualitative study in Indian cities explored the varied motivations, constraints, and possibilities that inspire urban gardening practices. Based on interviews with practitioners, it argues that community gardening can be an important way to motivate people to re-establish connections with ecosystems. However, the study concludes that sustained transformations in urban spaces and food systems require supportive public policies, infrastructure, and social acceptability.

V. Swetha, S. Simi, P. Manju, R. V. Manju, Suma Divakar · Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology · India

This study, conducted at the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, evaluated the growth of five guava varieties in 80-liter air-pots for urban container farming. Arka Mridula showed superior vegetative growth, including plant height (72.33 cm) and biochemical traits. Arka Rashmi exhibited the best reproductive performance, with early flowering (101 days after pruning) and maximum flowers (12.33). The findings suggest Arka Rashmi is suitable for container cultivation in urban horticulture.