Research & reports

Syamsudduha Syahrorini, Andriani Eko Prihatiningrum, Denny Irawan, Yanik Purwanti, Agus Hayatal Falah, Shaza Dyah Ayuni, Akhmad Mulyadi, Andika Wahyu Nugraha, Fajrian Moch Bintang · Community Empowerment · Indonesia

This community service program in Wedoro Village, Indonesia, worked with elderly residents and posyandu health-post cadres, whose most common health issues were diabetes, high blood pressure, and temperature-related concerns, providing education and training to enable independent health checks alongside outreach and urban farming training aimed at cultivating organic plants as an alternative medicine source. The program reports increased awareness of common metabolic diseases among the elderly and states that the urban farming training brought them joy and promoted improved health through greater activity and productivity, without presenting measured before-after health data.

Wirda Rohmah, Marina Ramadhani, Ghulam Fathul Amri · Jurnal Bengawan Solo Pusat Kajian Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Surakarta · Indonesia

Using a literature-study method, this research examined food security conditions in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia — a rapidly urbanizing city — and their implications for urban sustainability and resilience, covering food availability, access, utilization, and stability. It found that urbanization in Surakarta has increased food demand, altered food supply chains, and created distribution and affordability challenges, with urban land-use change, economic inequality, and the effectiveness of existing food policies and programs identified as the main factors shaping food security, and argues for an integrated approach combining improved urban agriculture, strengthened local food systems, and better coordination among stakeholders.

Andin Irsadi, Partaya Partaya, Abdul Jabbar · Jurnal Abdimas · Indonesia

Tanjung Mas Village in North Semarang District, Semarang City, Indonesia, is vulnerable to food insecurity due to a high level of poverty, since poor residents are unable to either produce or buy sufficient food. This has prompted government and residents to try to secure food independently through farming, though limited availability of agricultural land has hampered these efforts. This community-service program aimed to provide knowledge and skills and to facilitate urban farming facilities to achieve food independence in Tanjung Mas, using methods including socialization, counseling, dissemination, training, and facilitation of urban farming facilities. As a result, the community gained an understanding of urban farming, learned about urban farming technologies, acquired verticulture skills, and verticulture facilities were established as learning demonstration plots.

Nurul Hidayati, Pienyani Rosawanti, Djoko Eko Hadi Susilo, Fahruddin Arfianto, Hariyadi Hariyadi · Daun Jurnal Ilmiah Pertanian dan Kehutanan · Indonesia

This experimental and descriptive study examines the implementation of urban farming techniques — vertical gardening, hydroponics, potted plants (tabulapot), and cultivation in sacks and planters — in urban areas of Indonesia, focusing on household food security. Sweet potato was chosen for its ease of growth and environmental adaptability, with both tubers and leaves usable as vegetables. Regression correlation analysis found sweet potato productivity of 1.4 kg per 40 kg sack with 10 cuttings per sack, a strong positive correlation of 96.77% between tuber count and total weight per sack (y = 71.069x - 878.93), and a strong positive correlation of 83.05% between tuber count and individual tuber weight (y = 1.6985x - 9.87), indicating that more tubers did not reduce individual tuber weight. A household growing 10 sacks was calculated to have a potential yield of 14,000 grams (14 kg).

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.

Mochamad Yusuf · Al-Masharif Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi dan Keislaman · Indonesia

Focused on agriculture — one of the strongest sectors supporting Indonesia's economy — this descriptive paper (2024) examines the readiness of Central Java Province, the country's third-largest producer of agricultural output, to build a green economy while adopting a nature-conservation blueprint. Using secondary data collected and analyzed into author-formulated recommendations, the paper finds Central Java is pursuing green-economy and circular-economy practice through the agriculture sector via organic crop cultivation, urban farming, farmers markets, and environmentally friendly agricultural-product education, and concludes that maximizing this implementation requires supporting government regulation/legislation together with societal practice.

Gunawan Adi Pratio, Siti Nur Rohmah, Muhammad Ali Akbarsyah, Arseto Endro Supriyanto · Jurnal Bengawan Solo Pusat Kajian Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Surakarta · Indonesia

This literature review study examines the concept of urban farming as a solution to agricultural challenges in cities with little or no traditional farmland. Drawing on literature covering urban farming practices in major cities worldwide facing land constraints, it summarizes techniques including hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and use of rooftops or vacant urban spaces. The review finds urban farming can improve access to fresh food, reduce emissions from food transport, and improve environmental quality through increased green space, while also empowering local communities through job creation and resident involvement in food management, and supporting organic waste management by using household waste as fertilizer. However, resource constraints such as water, fertilizer and technology, along with regulatory and policy issues, were identified as the main barriers to implementation, and the paper concludes that collaboration among government, the private sector and local communities is needed.

J Resmi, K Vismaya, V. Chitra, S K Anjana, K V Sumiya · International Journal of Environment and Climate Change · India

Focusing on the role of trees and forested ecosystems in sustainable development and climate change adaptation and mitigation, this study compares Miyawaki forests — a high-density planting method developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki to intensify green cover and support local biodiversity — with food forests, planned and planted forests of food plants providing a variety of food year-round. The study sites were in Palakkad district, Kerala, India: Krishi Vigyan Kendra Palakkad, where a Miyawaki forest patch was established, and V.T. Bhattathiripad College in Sreekrishnapuram, where a food forest was established. While both approaches aim to restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity, they differ in design, purpose and management: the Miyawaki forest reconnects with nature by supporting native flora and fauna for biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration, while the food forest reconnects with nature by providing a food source for pollinators and habitat for many animals, and is described as environmentally friendly because it requires no chemical pesticides. Both techniques are described as effective for establishing urban forests and converting unproductive wasteland into ecologically and socially beneficial productive land.

Mutia Devi Hidayati, Arief Rahmatulloh, Luchis Rubianto, Pritantina Yuni Lestari · Jurnal Abadimas Adi Buana · Indonesia

In the Mulyorejo sub-district of Sukun district, Malang, Indonesia (area 2.75 km²), residents actively use vacant land and underused resources under an urban farming concept, including cultivating butterfly pea flowers, though product diversification of the flowers into higher-value goods had not been thoroughly developed. This community service project delivered skills training in making batik using butterfly pea flowers as a natural dye — a technique noted for producing soft colors, commanding a high market value, and being environmentally friendly, aligned with the "clean water and sanitation" Sustainable Development Goal — and introduced ways of combining different natural dyes for color variation. Held on October 7, 2023 with 8 participants, the post-training questionnaire yielded a mean of 3.88 and a mode of 4.0 across questions, indicating participants understood, felt the benefits of, and were satisfied with the training; participants also received an electric canting (batik drawing tool) for independent production.

Pawana Nur Indah, Gung Risa, Endang Yektiningsih, Indra Tjahaja Amir · Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Agribisnis · Indonesia

In Gending Village, Kebomas District, Gresik Regency, Indonesia, 87 purposively sampled residents who had practiced urban farming and a healthy lifestyle for at least two years were surveyed by questionnaire interview, and Partial Least Square analysis tested how social capital dimensions affect community empowerment. Trust (T=0.786), social norms (T=0.511) and social network (T=0.810) all exceeded the 1.96 significance threshold, showing significant positive effects of each dimension on empowerment of the urban farming community.

Ni’matul Istiqomah, Magistyo Purboyo Priambodo, Nur Anita Yunikawati, Wahjoedi Wahjoedi · International Journal of Community Service Learning · Indonesia

This report describes a hydroponic-farming training program for 35 women members of the PKK family-welfare movement in Kauman Kelurahan, Malang, Indonesia, aimed at upgrading skills in hydroponic cultivation on narrow land and reviving community activity that had stalled during the Covid-19 pandemic. The training combined socialization with hands-on demonstrations covering both standard hydroponic equipment (such as pipes) and methods using everyday household items, and it reports increased knowledge and skill in hydroponic cultivation among participants.

Rioaldi Sugandhy, Ayi Yustianti, Yoga Nugraha, Rizky Prananda, Yuli Andriani · Indonesian Journal Of Aquaculture Medium · Indonesia

This literature-based, qualitative content-analysis study examined filtration systems used to maintain water quality in small-scale aquaculture ("urban farming" aimed at self-sufficient food security), covering mechanical media (cotton, dacron), biological media (bio balls, ceramic rings) and chemical media (activated carbon, zeolite). It found that the type of filter media used affects water quality, fish growth and survival, and that using vegetables as supplementary filtration also affected water quality.

Catharina Any Sulistyowati, Suraya Afiff, Muhammad Baiquni, Mia Siscawati · Analisis Kebijakan Pertanian · Indonesia

This literature study, drawing on Scopus-indexed social science journal articles on community-supported agriculture (CSA) published between 1994 and 2022, examined CSA's potential to address problems facing small farmers in Indonesia, including low income, low productivity, crop failure, price fluctuation, infertile land and debt bondage. It identifies financing the transition from chemical to sustainable agriculture, access to land, farmers' quality of life and farmers' capacity as key elements on the production side, and consumer motivation and awareness, member contributions, member inclusiveness and member sustainability as key elements on the consumer-support side, concluding that supporting institutional development and policy is also essential.

Regita Fatya Azzahra, Muhammad Iqbal Nurulhaq, Leonard Dharmawan · JURNAL PENYULUHAN PEMBANGUNAN · Indonesia

A qualitative descriptive study with SWOT analysis of millennial farmers in Desa Cipayung, Indonesia, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture's young-farmer program. It aims to identify the potential and problems facing these farmers and to formulate a group-strengthening strategy and farm-development program. The study proposes strategies such as drawing on field agricultural extension officers to optimize use of available land and natural resources, applying best agricultural practices, and directing millennial farmer group members toward microgreens production to meet market demand.

Arta Kusumaningrum, Didik Widiyantono, Uswatun Hasanah, Dyah Panuntun Utami, Istiko Agus Wicaksono, Isna Windani · Surya Abdimas · Indonesia

Describes a community-service (pengabdian) activity introducing the concept of urban farming using limited urban residential space — pots arranged on walls and fences — to a Women Farmer Group (KWT) at Perum Pepabri Borokulon in Purworejo Regency, Indonesia. The activity combined secondary data collection, key-informant interviews, focus group discussion, extension training, implementation of urban farming, and monitoring and evaluation. It reports that urban farming proved suitable for implementation in this urban residential setting and that it could supply food at the household scale and increase household income for members of the women farmer group.

Andree Wijaya Setiawan, Yohanes Hendro Agus, Nugraheni Widyawati, Endang Pudjihartati, Maria Marina Herawati, Suprihati Suprihati, Djoko Murdono, Kezia Natalia, Jonathan Galih Raka Kusuma, Sabrina Ayu, Exvaricha Exvaricha, Yuliana Pratiwi Asti · JMM (Jurnal Masyarakat Mandiri) · Indonesia

In Semarang Regency, Indonesia, a community-service programme delivered adult-learning (Andragogy) lectures and hands-on practice in urban-agriculture-based appropriate technologies to 50 participants, including high school students, high school teachers, PKK (family welfare) members and village officials, to address household-level stunting prevention. Post-activity questionnaire evaluation found 84% of participants gained knowledge related to the material, and 86% became skilled and wanted to apply what they had learned.

Fitta Setiajiati · Cannarium · Indonesia

A community outreach and mentoring program in Kelurahan Mulyaharja, Bogor City, Indonesia, ran from September to October 2021 with members of the KWT Ciharashas women farmers group. After surveys and discussions with local officials, tourism managers and farmer groups, the team introduced rain garden installation and eco-enzyme production as low-cost urban farming methods, building a demonstration plot on farmer-group land. Residents who had not previously heard of rain gardens or eco-enzymes engaged enthusiastically, and the activity produced more optimal land use along with improvements in aesthetics and environmental health.

Maira Mubashir, Romaina Iqbal, Sabahat Naz · Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association · Asia

A commentary in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association argues that 82% of adolescents are at risk of non-communicable diseases due to physical inactivity and low fruit and vegetable intake, citing a Karachi study in which schoolchildren's consumption of discretionary foods exceeded their vegetable intake. The piece presents school kitchen gardens as a strategy to promote dietary diversification and vegetable consumption, describing them as an interactive platform where children plant, tend, and harvest produce while learning about vegetable types, growth, and nutritional value, and cites a prior systematic review reporting improved children's knowledge of food, nutrition, gardening, and science.

Setyardi Pratika Mulya, Delik Hudalah · Regional Sustainability · Indonesia

This study assessed sustainability based on agricultural intensity in peri-urban villages of Karawang Regency, Indonesia, using a village agriculture index (VAI), a village sustainability index (VSI) adapted from a local sustainability index via factor analysis, and a logical matrix analysis for level of agricultural sustainability (LoAS). Peri-urban villages with high agricultural intensity tended to show lower social welfare and economic development and higher disaster risk; high agricultural intensity did not necessarily ensure prosperity, and economic disparity existed among villages, leading the study to conclude that encouraging diversity in agricultural intensity is more important than promoting agricultural intensity itself.

Natasha Putri Adetya, Maulin Masyito Putri · Sustainability and Social Impact · Indonesia

Addressing the high temperatures characteristic of urban planting conditions in Gresik Regency, Indonesia, this paper proposes optimizing post-harvest sales and storage systems for urban farming products through three measures: planting and harvest scheduling by crop type and duration, cold storage to slow quality degradation and extend shelf life, and a sales and distribution application. It identifies as a problem that most current sales of urban farming products depend on direct sales to the surrounding community and are considered ineffective, and proposes that these three measures would let farmers reach customers beyond Gresik.

Raditya Ahmad Rifandi, Rizal Ichsan Syah Putra, Nunung Eni Elawati, Dwi Nur Yuliyani, Dafa Anwarul Fahmi · Cakrawala Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Global · Indonesia

A community outreach project implemented a "smart aeroponic" system — using sensor technology and automatic control — at several urban locations in Indonesia and trained local communities in its operation and maintenance. Evaluation found the system increased energy efficiency by up to 70% compared with Deep Flow Technique (DFT) hydroponics, saving 29.02 kWh for mustard greens cultivation and 41.00 kWh for lettuce cultivation.

B. Hari Saptaning Tyas, Condrodewi Puspitasari, Fadjarini Sulistyowati, Widati Widati · JMM - Jurnal Masyarakat Merdeka · Indonesia

A community outreach activity in RT 13 and RT 14 of Kampung Surokarsan, along the Code River in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, facilitated the launch of an urban-farming-based culinary tourism village. Building on a pre-masterplan drafted in 2023 activities, the project socialized the plan, facilitated village deliberation to formulate an action plan, and conducted capacity-building training for residents. Participants included a tourism awareness group, village officials, RT 13/14 leaders, local farmer groups, and resident representatives; questionnaire responses indicated participants found the training beneficial and expressed intent to develop the culinary village concept together with nearby water tourism, and a WhatsApp group was formed for ongoing communication.

Jeri Ramadhan, Irman Hermadi, Imas Sukaesih Sitanggang · EDUMATIC Jurnal Pendidikan Informatika · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A study developed a decision support system for selecting urban farming crop types for Jakarta's Balkot Farm program, using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method. It followed an SDLC prototyping methodology (communication, quick plan, quick design modeling, prototype construction, and deployment/delivery with feedback), with data collected through interviews and literature review. The result was a web application with menus for alternatives, criteria, subcriteria, rating match and results; black box testing and user acceptance testing confirmed the system correctly displayed menus matching land criteria according to stakeholder needs.

Yang Tingting · The World of Chinese · China

This article profiles Clover Nature School, led by Professor Yuelai Liu, which is converting abandoned urban spaces across China into community gardens. The initiative has established over 1,000 gardens nationwide, with Shanghai aiming for 2,040. In one Urumqi case, a neighboring restaurant's monthly revenue rose from 120,000 to 180,000 yuan after a garden was created.

Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur · Mongabay India · India

Across Indian cities, urban dwellers are turning rooftops, balconies and vacant plots into food gardens, driven by a desire for fresh organic produce as well as hopes of cutting air pollution and easing the urban heat island effect. Farmers in cities such as Ludhiana and Bengaluru are adopting shade nets and drip irrigation to cope with extreme heat, and research in Bengaluru suggests rooftop farming could reduce indoor temperatures by 2-8°C.