Research & reports

Junaidi Junaidi, Mahadi Bahtera, Halil Akmal, Maisarah Maisarah · Jurnal Agroristek · Indonesia

This study examined income levels and the internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats affecting horticultural urban farming development in the city of Sigli, Indonesia, using descriptive and SWOT analysis. Using a census sampling method, respondents comprised 8 people total: 3 farmer-group officials and 5 horticultural farmers. The results placed Sigli's horticultural urban farming in "Quadrant I," indicating internal strengths, and the study recommends an aggressive strategy that maximizes strengths and exploits available opportunities.

Ilham Nur Hanifan Maulana, Ahmad Herlyasa Sosro Pratama, Sukardi Sukardi, Handayani Nurhayati, Della Agustina Putri, Tasya Fiane Wardah · Ecoplan · Indonesia

A qualitative case study using a literature review (via Mendeley, Zotero and Google Scholar) examined variations in how urban farming is applied to sustain food security in Malang City, Indonesia, an area facing high housing demand and land shortages. It found that urban farming can strengthen household food security, that motivation to farm, human resource capacity, and community participation are important factors in boosting self-reliant economic empowerment, and that vertical hydroponic "superblocks" have become a popular urban-farming cultivation method.

Fransisca Listyaningsih, Devan Adi PAWOKO, Nurul HIDAYAH · ICCD · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This activity report describes the use of limited urban land for agriculture, women's empowerment, and family food independence in North Meruya, West Jakarta, Indonesia. The activity consisted of hands-on practice of a hydroponic method usable on limited land, together with ongoing guidance provided to women and housewives.

Rangga Pahlevi Putra, Ririen Prihandarini, Choirul Anam · JURNAL APLIKASI DAN INOVASI IPTEKS SOLIDITAS (J-SOLID) · Indonesia

A survey of the "Urfam Alam Lestari" urban farming group in Balearjosari, Blimbing District, Malang City, Indonesia, found that although the group cultivates multiple plots producing vegetables and fruit, it lacked digital media to market and sell its harvest, relying only on a WhatsApp group and unable to scale up sales. In response, a community-service team provided a mobile-application solution for marketing and sales, implemented through discussion, design of marketing/sales media, training and mentoring, and evaluation.

Faltmann N.K. · Food, Culture and Society · Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)

Qualitative research in Ho Chi Minh City finds that a widespread crisis of confidence in the food system—driven by fears of agrochemical contamination—is the primary motivation for urban gardening, with practices varying by class position.

Yuniarsih, Salam, Kantori, Mursyid · SSRN Academic Repository · Indonesia (Makassar)

Structural equation modeling study of 622 respondents in Makassar, Indonesia examining community participation in urban agriculture and the impact of social media communication on engagement.

· Sustainable Cities and Society · China

Maps the spatial distribution and patterns of community gardens across China and, via field surveys and interviews, identifies perceived benefits and barriers—finding social, ecological and health benefits rated above economic ones.

Myeong Suck Jeong, Mina Lee, Chaw Su Lwin, Kwon-Rae Kim · 한국토양비료학회지 · South Korea

This study investigated heavy metal contamination in urban agricultural soils near railway tracks and an industrial complex in Jinju, South Korea, to ensure food safety. While the average heavy metal values did not exceed soil contamination guidelines, some individual soil samples showed concentrations higher than the guidelines. Furthermore, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated that several soils were contaminated compared to background levels, with Cu, Pb, Zn, and Sb showing the highest contamination. Long-term monitoring of urban vegetable garden soils is recommended.

Stephani Rangga Larasati · Jurnal Atma Inovasia · Indonesia

The group service program 52 Period 79 identified Pulutan Village's potential in agricultural, processing industry, and natural tourism aspects, alongside a pocketbook program on cassava chips production and distribution. The program's outcomes, including e-books and videos, align with the village's mission to foster a competitive, advanced, independent, and prosperous society. This initiative aims to enhance citizen productivity, broaden insights, and support resident welfare through urban farming, agritourism, and processed food innovations.

Rayhan Ramadhani, Sarah Natalia, Faurica Nurul Syifa, Maulida Asha Sabilla, Arya Prayoga, Moch. Imron Rosyidi · Community Empowerment · Indonesia

In Bromo Hamlet, Kalinegoro Village, Indonesia, the KKN GNRM program on urban farming was held to maintain food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program aimed to provide knowledge, insight, and experience to boost organic vegetable production on narrow land through hydroponic training. The KKN GNRM increased public awareness of urban farming and hydroponics as a source of food security during the pandemic.

Jianyun Nie, Akira Kiminami, Hironori Yagi · Sustainability · China (Shanghai)

This study analyzed the sustainability status of 22 urban leisure farms in Shanghai using the IDEA method. Farms' average sustainability scores were 25.72 on the agroecological scale, 32.5 on the socioterritorial scale, and 46.5 on the economic scale. This analysis revealed that while urban leisure agriculture in Shanghai has high sustainability at the economic scale, its overall sustainability was low, indicating a need for further strengthening.

Dwiyana Anela Kurniasari, Siti Alimah, Didik Daryanto, Yusuf Baunsele, Summarningsih Summarningsih · Prosiding Konferensi Nasional Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat dan Corporate Social Responsibility (PKM-CSR) · Indonesia (Surabaya)

To address declining millennial interest in agriculture at SMA WIJAYA PUTRA in Surabaya, a Millennial Farmer School program was implemented to provide education and guidance on hydroponic urban farming. The program utilized education, training, mentoring, and evaluation methods. Results showed that 80% of students developed an interest in hydroponic cultivation, and 84% acquired hydroponic cultivation skills.

Danning Lu · Journal for Undergraduate Ethnography · China

This research analyzed social and organizational factors influencing the success of community gardens in China, using four case studies of state-sponsored community gardens in Beijing and Shanghai. It found that success factors are multi-faceted and interactive, with resident-government relations being crucial across development stages. Resident involvement and vision are important in the design stage, while leadership, residents' self-governance preparedness, and external recognition are key in the maintenance stage.

Yunita Kesuma, Citra Persada, M. Shubhi Yuda Wibawa · Jurnal Pengabdian Dharma Wacana · Indonesia (Bandar Lampung)

This community service activity provided assistance to the Agrowidyawisata Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) in Rajabasa Jaya, Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia, to address the underutilization of the Agrowidyawisata Sinar Harapan village as an urban agriculture educational tourism area, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods included interviews, questionnaires, site surveys, spatial analysis, and discussions with Pokdarwis to identify facility needs and define spatial arrangement concepts. The assistance enabled Pokdarwis to develop ideas for village arrangement based on thematic tourism potential, plan culinary markets, create tourist routes for small plots, and establish a communal space in a former workshop for gathering and marketing.

Sri Tjondro Winarno · Nusantara Science and Technology Proceedings · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of hydroponic training implemented in Surabaya City, using descriptive qualitative analysis and a 5-point Likert scale survey for all participants. The evaluation results showed that 94.12% of the implementation met "good" criteria and 5.88% met "very good" criteria. It was concluded that this training is highly effective in supporting the urban farming program in Surabaya.

Asa Roast · International Journal of Urban and Regional Research · China

An ethnographic study in Chongqing, Southwest China, examined informal peri-urban agriculture on undeveloped land created by state-led expansion since the early 2000s. This "empty land" is informally used by displaced peasants and migrant workers for agriculture. The study reveals that these spaces are ambiguously positioned outside urban governance and are under threat of rapid enclosure within urban accumulation regimes.

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.

Yichen Jiang, Axel Timpe, Frank Lohrberg · Journal of Urban History · China (Xuanhua)

A case study of traditional urban grape gardens in Xuanhua, China, examined existing issues and external factors impacting the area. The study found that while traditional farming techniques and the urban fabric of courtyards with grape funnels have been preserved, the area still lacks social concerns, and some households need to optimize their business models.

Wahidyanti Rahayu Hastutiningtyas, Yanti Rosdiana, Fathul Qorib, Murtiyah Murtiyah · Jurnal LENTERA · Indonesia

A project at SDN Tulusrejo 3 in Malang city, Indonesia, aimed to organize the school environment and provide understanding of the Adiwiyata program by arranging the school yard into a waste treatment area to support environmental health. Methods included mapping productive land, counseling, and school garden planning. The project achieved nearly 80% of its goal, resulting in a more organized and comfortable school environment compared to its state before the arrangement.

Ni Putu Kinsa Destias Wirawan, Frysa Wiriantari, Anak Agung Ayu Sri Ratih Yulianasari · Jurnal Teknik Gradien · Indonesia (Badung)

This qualitative descriptive study explored the design concept for an urban farming training center in Badung Regency, Indonesia. The center adopts an education and tourism concept with a Green Architecture theme, incorporating eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and water conservation. It aims to promote urban farming methods like hydroponics, biofloc catfish farming, maggot cultivation, and organic waste processing into eco-enzymes.

Hua Zheng, Noriko Akita, Fen Zhang · International Review for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development · China (Wuhan)

This study investigated residents' willingness to construct community gardens in three urbanized residential communities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Based on 382 valid questionnaires, 82.5% of respondents supported community garden construction, while 17.5% did not. Female, elderly, and households with minors showed higher support, but not all supporters were willing to spend money or time.

Giorgio Jivanka, Petrus Rudi Kasimun · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study analyzes the application of a hybrid concept in a residential project in Jakarta, Indonesia, focusing on simple rental flats (Rusunawa) and urban farming. It aims to address land degradation and poverty by integrating urban plantations to support residents' economic aspects, alongside considering social adaptation needs. The hybrid concept, guided by criteria like project scale and function diversity, serves as a design criterion for work-based residential buildings.