Research & reports

Laxman Barua, YOGITA ADHIKARI, Kuldeep Naik · International Journal of Agriculture and Nutrition · India (Prayagraj)

This research assessed heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils near the Naini industrial area in Prayagraj, India, and evaluated remediation strategies. Lead and cadmium concentrations at 0.5 km from the industrial zone exceeded Indian permissible limits (Pb: 67.8 mg/kg vs 50 mg/kg; Cd: 6.4 mg/kg vs 5 mg/kg). A pot trial showed that Brassica juncea removed 34.7% of Pb and 41.2% of Cd, while lime + biochar reduced Pb by 52.4%. A combined approach reduced bioavailable Pb to below the permissible limit.

Sri Dwiyanti, Farid Baskoro, Miftahur Rohman · JURPIKAT (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat) · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In Pondok Maritim, Surabaya, Indonesia, an environmentally friendly goat pen (Kakamraling) design was proposed to optimize the use of public land for urban farming through goat husbandry. The pen features a separator system for feces and urine, which are collected and periodically harvested as organic fertilizer and liquid organic fertilizer. This technological intervention is intended to allow residents to increase income from goat farming and the sale of both solid and liquid organic fertilizers derived from the goats.

Benita Amirotul Ayyi, Siti Muslikah, Sugiarto, Zuhanid Zamarudah · Folium Jurnal Ilmu Pertanian · Indonesia

A growth trial of pea-shoot microgreens (Pisum sativum L.) conducted at "Rumah Microgreen" in the Alamsari housing area of Malang, Indonesia, using a factorial randomized block design with two factors: growing medium (100% cocopeat, 50% cocopeat/50% rice husk charcoal, or non-woven fabric) and harvest timing (6, 7, 8 or 9 days after sowing). The combination of 50% cocopeat/50% rice husk charcoal medium harvested at 9 days after sowing produced the best growth and yield, and this combination is recommended for optimal pea-shoot microgreen production.

Ansar Amir, Mohammed Haruna · Interdisciplinary Social Studies · Indonesia (Makassar)

The Tanami Tanata Movement in Makassar City, Indonesia, was studied using a qualitative descriptive approach involving interviews, observations, and documentation to examine public administration innovation integrating organic waste management with urban farming. The movement was found to significantly reduce organic waste generation while strengthening family food security, achieved through multi-actor collaboration, participatory governance platforms, local circular economy implementation, and service digitization via the 'Sampah Tukar Sayur' (waste-for-vegetables) program; integrating waste management with urban farming created a sustainable cycle turning waste into productive resources with ecological, social, and economic benefits, and also spurred urban-agriculture-based micro businesses and greater public awareness of zero-waste principles.

Mustangin Mustangin, Aisyah Trees Sandy, Norhidayat Norhidayat, Fahrul Hidayat, Anita Febriyani, Andin Dwi Kinanti · Darma Diksani Jurnal Pengabdian Ilmu Pendidikan Sosial dan Humaniora · Indonesia

This community outreach program at PKBM Bunda, a non-formal education center in Samarinda, Indonesia, introduced basic aquaponics concepts to learners in an equivalency education program. Conducted in three stages — preparation, implementation and evaluation — the implementation stage combined icebreaking, lecture, video materials, group discussion and Q&A, with pre- and post-tests measuring change in understanding. The evaluation found that participants' understanding of aquaponics concepts improved, indicating that the learning methods used were effective for building foundational knowledge.

Affan Khoerul Pratama, Niken Kusuma Dewi, Ardhian Oktawidyaman, Afia Mansyoorah Nurjaman, Bintang Restu Darmawan, Dimas Arifil Akbar, Die Bhakti Wardoyo Putro · An-Nizam · Indonesia

A community service program in Cepokosari hamlet, Bantul, Indonesia, provided technical training and intensive mentoring to members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) on growing eggplants and chili peppers using repurposed used water gallon containers as vertical-gardening planting media, aiming to reduce plastic waste while promoting household food security and economic improvement. The results show that using used water gallons as planting media enhanced plant productivity, yielding enough produce for household consumption with a surplus sold for supplementary income for participating families.

Namitha Krishna, N A, Parvathy Sasikumar, Shiv Ganesh · Environment and Ecology · India

India's population is projected to exceed 1.5 billion by 2050, and growing urbanization and industrialization are expected to substantially increase water demand and wastewater generation. Domestic and industrial use currently account for 15% of India's water reserves, a share projected to rise to 30% by 2050. Treated wastewater is described as an increasingly important resource for peri-urban agriculture, while untreated wastewater is described as posing serious environmental and health risks from toxic metals, micro-contaminants, and pathogens. This review surveys recent developments in wastewater treatment for agricultural reuse, covering both conventional sequential treatment stages that remove solids, organic matter, and other pollutants, and advanced technologies that target specific contaminants such as xenobiotics and persistent organic pollutants.

Listya Utami Karmawan, Rory Anthony Hutagalung, Yanti Yanti, Irwin Suryaatmadja, Michelle Nadine Hardjawidjaja, Yasinta Ratna Esti Wulandari · Journal of Saintech Transfer · Indonesia

The abstract describes a project with the Villa Ciomas RW 10 Farmer Group (PokTan Vici 10) in Ciomas Rahayu Village, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, which practices urban farming on a small plot beside the Cisindangbarang River and already had a small fishpond but lacked aquaponics equipment. A community service team aimed to enhance the urban farming facility by installing aquaponics equipment, running workshops on basic hydroponics and aquaponics knowledge, exploring business potential, and providing hands-on cultivation practice, with monitoring and guidance throughout. The hydroponic/aquaponics installation succeeded, though nutrient supply from the fishponds alone was initially suboptimal, requiring supplemental hydroponic nutrients; hydroponic techniques were also introduced for vegetable cultivation. A pre/post-training questionnaire analysis showed the program significantly improved participants' knowledge and aquaponic skills (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.05). The aquaponics equipment was installed successfully, and participants gained foundational knowledge and skills enabling them to manage aquaponics systems independently through to harvest; the community plans to explore business opportunities selling hydroponic/aquaponic products.

Made Dwi Kanaka Sarahswati, Dew Ayu Trisna Adhiswari Wedagama · Penamas Journal of Community Service · Indonesia

A community service program in Dauh Puri Kaja Village, Denpasar, Indonesia (2025) combined urban farming with 3R-based waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle), providing hands-on training at the local Balai Banjar in waste sorting and composting organic waste for use in urban farming, followed by compost distribution at the village's waste management site. Reported outcomes were improved community understanding of using compost for household-scale farming and of proper waste segregation; the program's anticipated longer-term community impact was stated as an expectation, not a measured result.

Marlina Marlina, Muhammad Hafizh, Putra Jaya Gea, Yovi Avianto · Abdimas Galuh · Indonesia

A community outreach program at the KWT Sumber Rejeki women farmers' group production garden in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, held on November 26, 2024 (Abdimas Galuh, 2025), delivered counseling and hands-on training on preparing and applying a natural bactericide made from aloe vera waste to address bacterial wilt disease in chili cultivation. Reported outcomes were increased member knowledge and skill regarding bactericide definitions, benefits, natural ingredients, production technique, and application method, with high participant engagement. The program's authors note that the effectiveness of the aloe vera bactericide in actually suppressing Ralstonia solanacearum growth had not yet been evaluated and recommend this, along with testing on other horticultural crops, as follow-up work.

Ratna Suminar, Nyang Vania Ayuningtyas Harini, Gian Sapta Andrialin · Journal of Agriculture and Animal Science · Indonesia

Against a backdrop of low vegetable consumption in Indonesia and rising demand for environmentally friendly urban farming solutions, a systematic literature review of sources published between 2016 and 2024 — accredited journals, reference books and research reports — examined the nutrient and bioactive-compound content of microgreens, their health benefits, and their potential for cultivation at scales including the household. It found that microgreens are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, have a short harvest period and low land requirements, that technologies such as LED lighting, growing media and seed quality strongly affect cultivation success, and that challenges remain in distribution and product shelf life.

Shaikh Tanveer Hossain · Organic Eprints (International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems, and Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) · Asia

A report by Dr. Hossain discusses the transformation of organic farming through technological, ecological, and social innovation, citing examples including precision farming, community supported agriculture, biological pest control, and digital traceability systems. Case studies of an organic sack-garden for household nutrition, integrated rice-duck farming for pest control and soil health, and a Zero Energy Cold Chamber (ZECC) for post-harvest storage are described as demonstrating low-cost, replicable models that improved smallholders' incomes and sustainability. The report cites the Asian Productivity Organization's "Green Productivity" framework as linking productivity gains with environmental stewardship across the Asia-Pacific region.

Paturu P., Varadarajan S. · Science of The Total Environment · India

Combines product-service-systems thinking and life-cycle assessment to compare the environmental impacts of hydroponic urban-farming business models (greenhouse, indoor, cabinet selling with remote monitoring) for lettuce production in Tamil Nadu, India.

Roopika Sivaraman, Haritha Thulaseedharan Nair, Sharmila Krishnan, Perumal Siddhuraju · Soil and Sediment Contamination An International Journal · India (Coimbatore)

This study analyzed biocompost and water samples from four agricultural nurseries in semi-urban Coimbatore, India, for microplastic contamination using density separation and ATR-FTIR. While physicochemical properties met Indian standards, microplastic fragments (85%) and fibers (15%) were found in two biocompost samples (BC-B and BC-C), identifying PMMA, PP, and EVA polymers. No microplastics were detected in samples BC-A and BC-D, but the findings suggest semi-urban agricultural gardening may contribute to microplastic accumulation in terrestrial environments, potentially harming soil and plant health.

Darwison Daud, Zaini Zaini, Mohammad Khoiru Rusydi, Aulia Aulia, Novizon, Syukri Yunus, Rico Novendra, Mumuh Muharam, Athalla Novandri, Fatih Mubarok, Roza Susanti · Jurnal Andalas Rekayasa dan Penerapan Teknologi · Asia

In Sungkai Green Park Ecotourism, Padang City, lecturers and students from Andalas University implemented a Solar Dryer Dome for cultivating vegetables, fish, broiler chickens, and drying tea. This system, equipped with an IoT-based control system, resulted in efficient harvest times: vegetables in 21-27 days, approximately 1000 gourami fish per year, broiler chickens in 30 days, and dried tea in 8 hours, contributing to increased production efficiency, reduced operational costs, and improved product quality.

Wahyu Halya Aprilia Putri, Renita Dwi Lestari, Prasmita Dian Wijayanti · Manfaat Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Semarang City)

Residents of RW 05 Jomblang, Semarang City, Indonesia, are increasingly concerned about plastic waste. As a solution, MBKM students implemented a program utilizing used plastic bottles as planting media in hydroponic techniques. This program reduced waste, supported sustainable agriculture by minimizing land and water use, and raised community awareness about eco-friendly urban farming. Evaluations showed tangible results, such as pakcoy plants being distributed to participants, suggesting significant benefits for the community.

Eniandari janabadra.ac.id Eni Andari, Muhammad Najmudin, Titi Laras · ADARMA Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Universitas Janabadra · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This study describes a community empowerment program for PKK mothers in RT 36 RW 15, Sorosutan Village, Umbulharjo District, Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. The program utilized urban farming through counseling and training to manage and utilize the home environment. The counseling and training are expected to motivate and educate the mothers to practice organic farming.

Rositayanti Hadisoebroto, Sheilla Megagupita Putri Marendra, Olivia Seanders, Ahmad Rheza, Kendrick Kevin Kabe, Salsabila Azzahra Anjani Indradini · JUARA Jurnal Wahana Abdimas Sejahtera · Indonesia (Jakarta)

In Angke Village, West Jakarta, chicken slaughterhouse wastewater had BOD, COD, and TSS levels exceeding environmental standards. A community service program by Universitas Trisakti aimed to manage this wastewater and empower PKK mothers. The program included training on urban farming using treated wastewater as fertilizer, making biocoagulants from moringa seeds, and using a stirred reactor with biocoagulants to treat wastewater. The stirred reactor, using 100 mL of moringa seed biocoagulant, reduced BOD to 0.34 mg/L and TSS to 0.557 mg/L, but COD remained above the standard at 640 mg/L. The resulting sludge, with COD 320 mg/L and turbidity 475 NTU, can be used as fertilizer for vegetables and ornamental plants.

Umi Kulsum Nur Qomariah, Rohmat Hidayat, Ambar Susanti, Silfi Alfi Ahmidah, Ulan Supartini Fatiha, Sri Wijayanti, Dziqi Jamaludin Ahmad · Jumat Pertanian Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

A community service program in Murukan Village, Indonesia, focused on optimizing dairy farm waste utilization to improve agricultural land quality in an urban farming context. The program provided training on making liquid organic fertilizer (POC) from dairy farm waste. The activity successfully increased the local community's understanding and skills in waste management.

Iqbal Rifa’i Berutu, Soraya Masthura Hassan, Dela Andriani · Jurnal Syntax Fusion · Indonesia (Lhokseumawe City)

This abstract discusses how buildings significantly contribute to global warming and environmental degradation throughout their life cycle. It highlights issues such as environmentally unfriendly material selection, energy-inefficient designs, carbon emissions during construction, and habitat damage. The abstract concludes that a more sustainable approach in architecture and construction is necessary to mitigate these negative impacts.

Dwi Haryanta, Tatuk Tojibatus Sa’adah, Indarwati Indarwati · Jurnal Ilmiah Pertanian · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This study in Surabaya City, Indonesia, used a qualitative descriptive approach to characterize the composting process and compost from recycling centers. Composting materials included household waste, market refuse, and fall foliage, processed in an open aerobic system without bio-activators. Chemical analysis showed C/N ratio (17.10-19.60), C-total (17.65%-18.10%), and N-total (0.95%-1.12%), among other elements. While visually mature, indicators such as C/N ratio and temperature suggested an immature state, rendering the compost unsuitable for immediate planting; storage for a minimum of one month was recommended for maturation.

Soo-Young Moon, Dae-Hee Jang · KIEAE Journal · South Korea

This study investigated whether green roof soil, originally artificial, could evolve into natural soil suitable for urban agriculture over time. Researchers analyzed the composition of rooftop greening soil from a 20-year-old testbed at KICT in South Korea. The analysis revealed that the rooftop greening soil had gradually transformed into natural soil, confirming that long-term maintained rooftop greening on artificial grounds can evolve into an environment quantitatively similar to natural soil.

Lintar Brillian Pintakami, Alia Fibrianingtyas, Tatiek Koerniawati A, Rizka Amalia, Maulana Muhamad Sulaiman, Steven Gerrard Christoffel Hermawanto, Daniyah Nabila Riyanti Putri · Indonesian Collaboration Journal of Community Services (ICJCS) · Indonesia

This study focused on utilizing non-domestic waste, such as coconut husks, used paper, and wood, as base materials for kokedama. It involved collecting waste from local communities, processing it into kokedama planting media, and providing training on kokedama techniques. The training was shown to reduce waste volume, empower participants with new skills, and increase their potential income, thereby improving economic and social well-being.

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.

Mutiawati Mandaka, Sharfina Bella Pahleva Wahyono, Tri Susetyo Andadari, Gatoet Wardianto · Manfaat Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Semarang)

An urban farming program was implemented in Pakintelan Village, Gunungpati District, Semarang, Indonesia, to address food security challenges and improve local economic welfare by utilizing limited urban land. This program involved UNPAND KKN students providing training and mentoring in farming techniques, organic pest management, and compost use, aiming to increase community participation in agricultural activities and understanding of sustainable practices. The program successfully increased community participation, maintained environmental sustainability, and contributed to the economy through the potential use of harvests for consumption or sale.