Research & reports

Orathai Paiyarat, Uthaithip Jiawiwatkul · International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development · Thailand

This qualitative study examined the development process, results, and influencing factors of the Hat Yai urban agricultural network for food security in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, Thailand. Data was collected from 31 participants through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and group discussions. The study identified a three-stage development process: network formation, seeking cooperation, and learning and integration, with results reflected at individual, group, and network levels linked to sustainable development. Negative factors affecting the development process included the nature of Hat Yai urban residents in a developing country context, resource inadequacy, and public policy.

Sarah Buzogany, Abby Cocke, Holly Freishtat, Yeeli Mui, Mariya Strauss, Sylvia Kelly · Urban agriculture · United States (Baltimore)

Baltimore, United States, has developed urban agriculture policies over the last decade, integrating them into a food systems approach to sustainability. Policy development covered zoning, permitting, land leasing, and soil regulations. However, challenges were encountered regarding staffing, funding, resident engagement, and differing city agency priorities, especially concerning land access. The experience highlights the importance of mainstreaming food policy into urban planning.

Godwin K. Naazie, Isaac Agyemang, Anthony Mwinilanaa Tampah-Naah · Discover Sustainability · Ghana (Wa)

This study investigated the characteristics of urban agriculture and farmers' climate change adaptation in Wa township, Ghana. Mixed methods, including surveys of 362 urban households and 12 key informant interviews, were employed. Urban agriculture was found to be characterized by the production of animals like chickens, sheep, and goats, and crops such as maize, yam, beans, cabbage, and pumpkin, with land acquired through purchase or from relatives and friends. A strong relationship between residential class and urban farming type, and a moderate relationship between residential class and land acquisition type, were observed.

Shinta Prastyanti, Retno Wulandari, Adhi Iman Sulaiman · Palabra Clave · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, examined participatory development communication strategies in urban farming programs using observations, interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings indicate that while the communication strategy embodies community empowerment, the initiative has not been adopted by all community members. Additionally, harvests are limited to daily needs and have not significantly improved group members’ income.

M. Kühn, Geisa Zanini Rorato, Bruno César Euphrasio de Mello, Carolina Cristófoli Falcão, Rodrigo Vitória Alves · MIX Sustentável · Brazil

This article presents the results of a systematic literature review on Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (UPA) in Brazil. The study indicated a quantitative increase in academic articles on UPA and a concentration of cited cases in cities in southern and southeastern Brazil. Qualitatively, the analysis revealed that UPA initiatives are primarily located intra-urban, often in common/public places, and operate within a community system, focusing on vegetable production for self-consumption.

SP24.C, CommuniTee’s · Bucknell Digital Commons (Bucknell University) · United States

CommuniTee’s partnered with the Lewisburg Community Garden (LCG) and the Donald Heiter Community Center (DHCC). At the LCG, they completed three service projects: painting a sign, stabilizing 93 fence posts, and starting a pollinator garden. CommuniTee’s sold 229 t-shirts, generating a net profit of $1,614.64 for the DHCC. Additionally, they raised $1,213.04 through five fundraising events and an advocacy campaign, with a total of $2,827.68 to be donated to the DHCC.

Rob Roggema, Aleksandra Krstikj, B. J. Erazo Flores · Nutrients · Mexico (Monterrey)

This study in the Noreste of Mexico, focusing on Monterrey, investigated spatial and non-spatial barriers to adopting healthy diets and accessing plant-based foods. Findings revealed significant disparities in food access across the Monterrey metropolitan area, with central urban zones having superior access to fresh foods compared to suburban and peripheral regions. This inequality disproportionately affects marginalized areas with higher poverty rates, worsening food insecurity.

Ada Górna · · Singapore

This chapter discusses a case study of urban agriculture in Singapore, a rapidly developing metropolis almost completely reliant on food imports. Authorities are promoting modern technology-based food production solutions to improve food self-sufficiency. Research demonstrated that top-down administrative decisions are particularly crucial to the spatial distribution of urban farming, and due to dynamic changes in the city's spatial and functional structure, urban agriculture, especially instances not matching promoted development directions, faces challenges and will undergo spatial and qualitative changes in the coming years.

Triantya Wahyu Wirati, Allya Sofiana Assyifa, Mochamad Fakhriy Afif · Journal of Digital Business and Innovation Management · Global

This research aims to analyze the design of an e-commerce website system for urban farming to optimize its potential through appropriate information technology application. Urban farming, particularly hydroponics, is presented as a solution for limited land in urban areas, offering efficient water use and faster growth. It is hoped that this research will support the growth and sustainability of urban agriculture and open new opportunities in marketing, inventory management, and efficient operational management.

Tayech Lemma, Mala Sharma · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ethiopia

A survey of 272 women in Hossana town, Ethiopia, using a multivariate probit model, identified food security and economic reasons as primary motivations for participating in urban agriculture. Factors such as age, education, marital status, family size, employment, non-urban farm income, farm experience, garden size, credit access, market access, and improved input use significantly influenced participation likelihood.

Ricardo Jacobs · Oxford University Press eBooks · Global

This chapter argues that rapid urbanization and global capitalism are destroying established livelihoods faster than creating new ones, leading to a growing surplus population. Dispossessed rural classes are reproducing themselves in urban spaces and converging with wage laborers to create agricultural livelihoods in cities of both the global South and North. This makes urban agriculture an important arena for land struggles and a livelihood option, shaping urbanization and socioecological relations.

Catharina Any Sulistyowati, Suraya Afiff, Muhammad Baiquni, Mia Siscawati · Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik · Global

This study contributes to the geographic mapping of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) studies in Scopus-indexed social science journals, tracing the emergence and development of diverse CSA models, its political economy context, and the pattern of research themes across geographic areas. Findings reveal that the urban middle class in industrial countries can encourage farmers to produce healthy food and apply more sustainable farming systems. A limitation of this study is the lack of literature on CSA from non-western or non-industrialized countries.

Forijati Forijati · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Nusantara · Indonesia (Kediri)

This community service program in Wilis Indah housing area, Pojok Village, Kediri City, aimed to empower housewives through training and mentoring in optimizing narrow land for urban farming and hydroponics. The program resulted in increased understanding of land optimization, gardening skills, knowledge of agricultural technology, and confidence among housewives, leading to changes in family food consumption. It contributed to improving family economy and food security, and encouraged economic independence.

Eleni Oikonomaki, Ilektra Papadaki, Christina Kakderi · Land · Global

This paper examined 100 citizen-led urban greening projects globally, categorizing them by greenery type, stakeholders, implementation mode, and smart technology use. Fully citizen-led initiatives often focused on urban farms and food growing, while scaling projects frequently received support from public authorities or NGOs. Websites and social media facilitated participation and knowledge sharing, but advanced digital technologies for real-time monitoring and evidence-based decision-making were rarely integrated.

Olivia Damayanti Putri, Sutini Sutini, Hadi Suhardjono · Jurnal Agroqua Media Informasi Agronomi dan Budidaya Perairan · Indonesia

This research investigated the effect of nanosilica addition on red rice growth and yield using a factorial randomized block design with two varieties (Pamera, Pamelen) and five nanosilica concentrations. Applying nanosilica colloid at 15 mL L-1 to Pamera and Pamelen varieties increased plant length and tiller number, and accelerated flowering age. However, nanosilica had no effect on harvest age and yield components.

Sonia Gatchair · · Jamaica (Kingston)

In Kingston, Jamaica's largest urban space, systematic efforts to stimulate the adoption of commercially viable urban agriculture have lagged. This study examines the facilitators and impediments to commercially viable urban agriculture, arguing that knowledge transfer and the adoption of innovative, technology-driven approaches to farming, financing, and marketing are needed for success.

Claudinei da Silva Pereira, Antônio Nivaldo Hespanhol · Boletim Goiano de Geografia · Europe

This paper aims to understand agriculture practiced in cities and their surroundings in the European context, in terms of its purposes, relationships with the labor market, and food supply. Structural transformations of the capitalist economy since the 19th century led to the reduction or disappearance of urban agriculture in certain areas of major European cities. This resulted in the formation of a specialized food market, where merchants acquire food produced in areas increasingly distant from the final consumer.

Marta Rudnicka-Bogusz · Civil And Environmental Engineering Reports · Global

This study presents three lesser-known theories of W. Czerny, L. Zimowski, and O. Hansen regarding the “agricultural city,” alongside theories by L. Migge and F.L. Wright. It focuses on the role of agriculture within the city framework and its implications for future urban built structures. Urban farming is positioned as a multifunctional tool contributing to food security, ecological sustainability, community resilience, and social cohesion within the concept of a regenerative city.

Monsuru Adekunle Salisu, Yusuf Opeyemi Oyebamiji, Omowunmi Kayode Ahmed, Noraziyah Abd Aziz Shamsudin, Yusoff Siti Fairuz, Yusuff Oladosu, Mohd Rafii Yusop, Zulkefly Sulaiman, Fatai Arolu · AIMS Agriculture and Food · Global

This systematic review, utilizing the PRISMA framework, focused on emerging trends in soilless technologies for urban agriculture in the post-pandemic era. It examined the environmental impact, resource efficiency, and water usage of soilless farming techniques such as aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics, evaluating their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional soil-based farming. The review suggests that these innovative strategies hold promise in fostering sustainable urban agriculture and ensuring food security.

Amalliah, Flora Meliana Sihaan · Jurnal Sekretari Universitas Pamulang · Indonesia

In Indonesia, this study analyzed the role of communication management in the Cempaka Women Farmers' Group as a strategy to improve food security and family economy through urban farming programs. A descriptive qualitative research method was used, conducting field research through direct observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings indicated a need for mentoring, which can be achieved through business management training to maximize the economic value of harvests and processed products, utilizing web-based applications for recording members, harvests, and sales, and digital marketing communication to promote the group and build brand awareness for their products.

Yi‐Ya Hsu, Hoon Han · Cities · Australia (Sydney)

This paper examines the location and floor space use of urban food system functions in Sydney, Australia, and visualizes 3D foodscapes through spatial and temporal analysis. The research identified eight food functions and their temporal colocation relationships over 10 years. The findings contribute to urban food planning by mapping Sydney's urban food system in 3D and considering its relationship with the socio-economic context.

Henny Nuraini, Amelia Kamila Islami, Edit Lesa Aditia, Bram Brahmantiyo, Eko Handiwirawan · Jurnal Ilmu Ternak dan Veteriner · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study evaluated the qualitative traits of 94 local Bambu Apus rabbits, comparing them with 89 Rex and 89 New Zealand White rabbits in DKI Jakarta, Indonesia. Observed variables included head type, ear type, eye color, body color, fur characteristics, and body size. Bambu Apus rabbits showed distinct traits such as blue and heterochromia eye color, predominantly light brown and harlequin color patterns, compact body type variations, lion fur, and lop ear type. These traits suggest their genetic potential as tropical climate-adaptive broiler rabbits for urban farming.

Dimas Adiputra, Abduh Sayid Albana, Rifki Dwi Putranto, Nursyahjaya Ramadaniputra, Nur Aliffah Rizkiningtyas, Ahmad Faiz Fanani · BEGAWE Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Surabaya)

Songo Village in Surabaya, Indonesia, promotes urban farming for local food security and income generation. This initiative disseminated a solar-powered hydroponic unit capable of operating without PLN electricity. The system features 300 planting holes, a 12V 200Ah battery, a 900Wp solar panel, and a 1kW inverter. A simple profit forecast indicated a final profit of 19,232,727 IDR, with a return on investment projected within 13 months.

Ophélie Véron · Antipode · Germany (Berlin)

This paper, based on activist ethnography in Berlin's community gardens, people's kitchens, and co-operative projects, explores how community food spaces reproduce, exacerbate, or dismantle power relations and socio-environmental injustices. It systematically examines exclusion and inclusion dynamics, arguing that diversity alone is not a sufficient indicator of social equity and can overshadow forms of injustice. The study exposes the complex, dual nature of Berlin's food activist landscape, where privilege and power contribute to social inequities.

Ouiam Fatiha Boukharta, Iona Yuelu Huang, Laura H. Vickers, Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia, Leticia Chico-Santamarta · Agronomy · Global

This systematic literature review investigated the benefits of non-commercial urban agriculture (NCUA) forms and their contribution to food production. It collected 1355 articles from qualified search engines, ultimately analyzing 40 articles. The findings indicate that implementing NCUA practices yields multifaceted social, economic, and environmental benefits, including improving people's health, reducing food expenditure, and creating sustainable cities. The review also noted that awareness of urban agriculture and the recognition of its benefits differ between developed and developing countries.