Research & reports

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.

Lee D. Bryant, Roy Maconachie, Bastian Schnabel, Abubakarr Swaray, Howard Gigi, Solomon Gbanie, Kabba Haroun Bangura, Anthony Kamara, Prince Antwi-Agyei · Water Science & Technology Water Supply · Sierra Leone (Freetown)

This paper examined the environmental health status of three urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) sites in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Qualitative and quantitative data revealed heavy metal concentrations significantly exceeding regulatory limits in sweet potato leaves and arable soil. Additionally, soaring levels of faecal coliform bacteria were found in irrigation water, and crops were identified as hyperaccumulators for environmental contaminants.

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.

Deyvison Lopes de Siqueira, Albér Carlos Alves Santos, Bruno Jesus do Nascimento, Gustavo Henrique Cepolini Ferreira · Revista da ANPEGE · Brazil

This article reviews the role of urban agriculture in improving food and nutritional security for vulnerable populations in Brazil, where 33.1 million people lacked guaranteed daily food in 2022. It highlights urban gardens as an alternative to enhance access to healthy food. The study suggests that maps, data, and strengthened public policies can promote urban gardens as food cultivation spaces in urban and peri-urban areas, forming networks to combat hunger.

Paul Teng · Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development · Global

This paper examines urban agriculture's role in national planning, particularly concerning global food security challenges as urban populations grow. It notes that urban and peri-urban agriculture, ranging from community gardens to commercial farms, has seen rapid technological development and private investment, especially since the early 2020s. Beyond economic and food security benefits, urban agriculture also offers environmental and social advantages for cities aiming to reduce their carbon footprints.

Brandon, Chrislyn · Scholar Commons (Santa Clara University) · United States (Santa Clara)

The City of Santa Clara faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to food for its residents amidst rising living costs and economic disparities. Enhancing support for residents' food security needs through increased knowledge sharing and resource provision in community areas is an efficient strategy to reduce hunger rates and create welcoming community spaces that support sustainability. This initiative addresses two key focus areas in Santa Clara's Climate Action Plan.

Jon Marín, Teresa Garnatje, Joan Vallès · Sustainability · Spain (Barcelona)

This study investigated whether agro-food supply chains in peri-urban agricultural areas contribute to preserving local biodiversity, using the Baix Llobregat Agrarian Park in Spain as a case study. Analysis of different food retailers revealed variations in plant diversity, origin, and seasonality. Farmers' markets were found to exhibit higher intraspecific diversity, contributing to local agrobiodiversity conservation.

Mesut YILDIZ, Tayfun Özkaya · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Turkey

This participatory action research was conducted with five community-supported food groups formed by consumers in İzmir province, Turkey, and associations/groups producing wheat landraces in Çanakkale, Balıkesir, and Kars provinces. The research aimed to identify common problems that reduce the separation between wheat production and consumption and to determine how to increase the use of wheat landraces and their products.

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.

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.

Marthe L. Derkzen, Maitreyi Koduganti, Sheetal Patil, Parama Roy · · India (Bengaluru)

Bengaluru has transitioned from a "Garden City" to a "Global Technology Hub," resulting in food production being pushed out and productive lands converted to residential and commercial uses. This urbanization has led to rising land values, sharpening inequalities, and recurrent water insecurity. In response, new forms of urban farming, such as kitchen gardens and community farms, have emerged to mitigate space constraints and meet local food aspirations. This chapter will use participatory mapping, interviews, film, and photography to explore how Bengaluru residents from diverse backgrounds perceive food as cultural connections, community feelings, and environmental resilience.

Retno Lantarsih, Suhartini Suhartini, Anu Gupta · HABITAT · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This study evaluated the sustainability of the Pekarangan Pangan Lestari Program (P2L) in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia, across ecological, economic, and social dimensions. Multidimensional scale analysis showed the social dimension was "quite sustainable" at 62.63%, while the ecological (48.69%) and economic (33.38%) dimensions were in the "less sustainable" category. The social dimension had the greatest impact on the P2L Program's sustainability.

Eko Sudarmanto, Triana Zuhrotun Aulia, Indra Gunawan Siregar, Lena Erdawati, Isrok Isrok, M Wahid Saputra, Yuana Fasya Purnamasari · Solusi Bersama · Indonesia

The "Go Green" program, part of Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang's community service, aimed to address environmental issues and strengthen food security in Rawa Buntu, Indonesia. It promoted gardening in home yards and vacant land, encouraging community participation in cultivating vegetables and herbs. The program concluded that community involvement in gardening positively impacts the environment, strengthens the local economy, and fosters more sustainable food security.

Aulia Adetya · Policy Brief Pertanian Kelautan dan Biosains Tropika · Indonesia

This policy brief discusses urban farming as a strategy to address food insecurity in Indonesian urban areas, which face weakened local food availability and high reliance on external supplies. Urban farming, encompassing integrated farming or agriculture, has been widely adopted across Indonesian cities with diverse objectives. The brief highlights urban farming's potential to strengthen urban food security and emphasizes the need for supportive policies, including limited land use, citizen training, and assessing the impact of such training.

Aristophane Djeufack Dongmo, Désiré Avom · Politics &amp Policy · Africa

This article examined the impact of urbanization and civil conflicts on food insecurity severity across 43 African countries from 2000 to 2020 using heterogeneous choice models. Findings revealed that both urbanization and civil conflict increase food insecurity, with a one-unit increase in urban growth rate raising the probability of high-risk food insecurity by over 0.6 times. The study recommends developing urban agriculture and controlling urbanization to mitigate food insecurity.

Eni Karsiningsih, Andini Meisya Sriwijayani Suwardih, Dinda Aulia, Santia Santia, Sulthon A’uliya Alfarissi, Gita Ardianta, Aprilianti Wulandari, Annisa Miswarni Lubis, Dodi Irwandi, Muhammad Ferghio Jovanka · MESTAKA Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Pangkalpinang)

This empowerment program in Pangkalpinang City, Indonesia, aimed to increase vegetable production and income for the Cendawan 31 Women Farmers Group (KWT). The program addressed obstacles such as non-commercial orientation, simple management, low member motivation, unplanned production, limited price information, and inefficient marketing. Using active participatory methods, mentoring, and counseling, the program successfully improved the group's creativity, innovation in vegetable planting, and vegetable production, enabling them to arrange planting schedules and select appropriate plant types.

Matthew L. Richardson, John Taylor, Megan J. Thompson, Anusuya Rangarajan, Mamatha Hanumappa, Neith G. Little · PLoS ONE · United States (Northeastern United States)

This online survey of 394 urban growers, primarily in the Northeastern United States, profiled growers and assessed urban agriculture's state, identifying needs and challenges. Most growers were white (non-Hispanic), under 45, well-educated but without agriculture degrees. Urban agriculture was dominated by small non-profits and home/community gardens. A critical finding is that urban growers face diverse barriers, with the most common being land availability and long-term access in urban areas, and many reported low revenue or operating at a net loss.

Anusha Ghimire, Sunil Ojha, Srijana Saud, Sanju Aryal, Anjali Thapa, Prabina Bhandari · INWASCON Technology Magazine · Global

This review summarizes the need for urban horticulture, its challenges, opportunities, and new trends. Urban horticulture addresses threats to food security, environmental quality, and community well-being in urban settings by providing local produce, improving green spaces, and fostering human-nature connections. It faces obstacles such as plant selection and nutrient recycling, but new techniques like aeroponics and vertical farming are emerging.

Peter Dery Bolang, Issah Baddianaah, Issaka Kanton Osumanu · Cogent Social Sciences · Ghana

This cross-sectional survey examined formal sector employees' participation in urban agriculture (UA) in urban Wa, Ghana, using data from 364 employees across four public institutions. Findings revealed that only 37.9% of contacted employees participate in UA (food crops and/or animal production). Participation likelihood was influenced by household size, income, expenditure, and farm income, with employees in the Teacher and Education Directorate showing higher engagement. The study highlights the need for policy attention to increase formal sector employees' UA participation to enhance food supply and household well-being.

Anushi Anushi, A. Krishnamoorthi, Jitendra Chaurasia, Bijay Kumar Baidya, Abhishek Singh, ­ Sapna, Vijay Kumar, Anushka Singh · Journal of Scientific Research and Reports · Global

This review explores the historical evolution and diverse models of urban farming, highlighting their contributions to food security, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. Challenges faced by urban farmers include limited space, soil contamination, regulatory hurdles, and access to resources.

Mary Mattingly · Intellect eBooks · Global

This essay shares two research practices stemming from the author's seven-year engagement with extractive supply chains for specific objects. Swale is a floating food forest that uses the common law of the waterways as a loophole to do what was illegal on common land, highlighting governance challenges within existing systems.

Anubhav Pradhan · South Asia Research · India

This article analyzes the recalibration of justice for agrarian communities along the Yamuna in Delhi. Following a 2015 ban on edible crop farming by India's apex environmental court, the Delhi Development Authority has conducted multiple demolition drives for nearly a decade to evict farmers and clear land for redevelopment. The ongoing contentions involving farmers, planning agencies, and the judiciary in this region are symptomatic of the erosion of social justice in urbanizing India.