Research & reports

Shafira Ayuning Lestari, Dika Supyandi · MIMBAR AGRIBISNIS Jurnal Pemikiran Masyarakat Ilmiah Berwawasan Agribisnis · Indonesia (Jakarta)

All 11 members of the D'Shafa women farmer group — a model group for urban agriculture development in Malaka Sari, East Jakarta, Indonesia — were surveyed in a qualitative descriptive study analyzing the group's dynamics. All eight group dynamics elements analyzed showed active results, with a total score of 1,203 (95.93%), and the elements of group structure, group cohesiveness, and group atmosphere achieved the maximum scores, indicating that organized structure and task distribution support solid, family-like interaction among members.

Fadhilah Ramadhana, Nurina Orta Darmawati · Jurnal Sains dan Seni ITS · Indonesia

Gardening in densely populated areas — urban farming — has been widely practiced among urban communities using narrow plots or home yards, a trend that gained further interest during the pandemic, though facilities and costs pose challenges. The self-watering system method is presented as a solution using easily available tools and materials that can be implemented independently. Public knowledge, particularly among teenagers, about the benefits of medicinal plants is described as still minimal. To introduce cultivation via an accessible method, this design research combined observation of the self-watering system, experimental study, in-depth interviews with a gardening community, comparative study of similar videos, and literature review for secondary data, producing an explainer animation. The output is a two-part series: the first episode explains the self-watering system method overall, and the second explains its application using two wild medicinal plants. The video content covers the self-watering cultivation method, plant profiles, and the edible or medicinal parts of the plants, and is to be distributed via YouTube.

Poonam Bewtra · Current Agriculture Research Journal · India

Food forests involve planned agroforestry. The abstract states that, like a real forest, a food forest requires no pesticides, herbicides, weeding, crop rotation, mowing, or digging, and ensures the sustainability of flora, fauna, birds, animals, and particularly bees. This is a case study of one such food forest, Vanya Organic, realized by one of its owners, Mr. Patanjali Jha, who grew native trees, creepers, and shrubs in combination with symbiotic vegetation to maximize carbon sequestration, forest cover, and usable by-products. A key component is Vetiver grass, and Jha argues that food forests and vetiver plantations should be planned and established together, terming the combination a "Regenerative Food Forest." The abstract states that Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) or Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), described as a "green fuel," can be derived from the agricultural waste and other biomass that regenerative food forests produce in abundance; a CBG plant produces sulphur-stripped, automotive-grade methane along with a high-quality organic fertilizer by-product approved for regular use by the Ministry of Agriculture, and the abstract argues for linking CBG plants with regenerative food forests to provide jobs, increase farm incomes, and bring sustainable changes to air, water, and soil quality over time. The case study is stated to have been prepared with the owner's consent and approval.

Irwan Wunarlan, Sugiono Soetomo, Iwan Rudiarto · Civil Engineering and Architecture · Indonesia

Most residents of Marisa and Paguat districts in Indonesia engage in primary agricultural production centered on suburban and hinterland areas. This study aimed to (1) examine the causes of urban agglomeration among farmer settlements and the resulting spatial form or urban morphology, (2) analyze how city morphology developed due to the economic strength of the agricultural commodity export sector, particularly in hinterland farming areas, and (3) analyze economic growth stemming from the agricultural commodity export base, with emphasis on Marisa's population. A quantitative-qualitative method grounded in post-positivist philosophy was used, with data collected through observation, document review, and interviews, and analyzed using Leading Commodities analysis (Location Quotient, LQ-share and LQ-shift analysis) and spatial analysis. Results showed that (1) urban agglomeration led to the settlement of farmer communities, which also formed mutual relationships among residents, and (2) Marisa's layout resembled a star-shaped or octopus form under the urban morphology classification used. This result was attributed to dynamics stemming from Marisa's process of establishment as a region, and the study recommends further research on this point.

Mariska Nur Hanifah, Tomy Perdana · MIMBAR AGRIBISNIS Jurnal Pemikiran Masyarakat Ilmiah Berwawasan Agribisnis · Indonesia (Bandung)

A descriptive qualitative study of "Buruan SAE" Mang Oded, one of the "Buruan SAE" urban farming groups promoted by the Bandung City Agriculture and Food Security Agency, Indonesia, to address food availability. The group faced obstacles including a lack of community participation and stagnating business development. The study identifies the internal and external factors influencing its development and determines an appropriate development strategy, using interviews, observation, and documentation with the group's decision-makers, analyzed with IFE, EFE, IE, SWOT, and QSPM matrices. The IFE matrix produced a total score of 2.843 and the EFE matrix a total score of 3.066, indicating that both internal and external factor conditions were above average. The group's current position on the IE matrix falls in cell II, corresponding to a Growth and Build strategy. From the SWOT matrix, four alternative strategies were derived and ranked using QSPM: (1) using social media and creating new innovations, (2) optimizing land use, (3) using distinct labels or brands and expanding product types, and (4) maintaining market and cooperative relations with the government.

Nimas Sekarlangit, Prasasto Satwiko · MODUL · Indonesia

This paper addresses how the COVID-19 pandemic forced people worldwide, including in Indonesia, into new living habits. It notes that experts link recurring zoonotic pandemics closely to human consumption of wild animals and livestock, and states that plant-based food sources have already been shown to meet humans' complete nutritional needs. The "arsitektur nabati" (plant-based architecture) discussed here combines human activity spaces with food plants within a local context, and is presented as an integrated solution to the challenges of preventing recurring zoonotic pandemics, nutritional sufficiency, biodiversity, and urban living-environment quality. Using recent COVID-19-related information, the paper discusses the connection between the pandemic and plant-based architectural design, studying student and professional architects' works that respond to the idea of urban agriculture. It concludes that plant-based architecture can serve as an early mitigation effort against pandemic disasters by providing good air quality and lighting for spaces, promoting occupant health, and providing food security under conditions of limited land.

Khuong Ngoc Ho, Anh The Phung, Thuy Nhu Thi Nguyen, Loan Kim Thi Vo · Journal of Development and Integration · Vietnam

This review paper analyzes urban agriculture development experiences in countries including Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan to draw lessons applicable to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in the context of urbanization and rising food demand. It cites rooftop farming, vertical farming methods, and advanced technologies as strategies used elsewhere, identifies challenges such as limited natural resources and urban management difficulties, and proposes improving urban agriculture planning and infrastructure, strengthening technology transfer, using community resources, and expanding access to finance as responses. No quantitative data or empirical results are presented.

Nia Yuniarti Hasan, Teguh Budi Prijanto · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Kesehatan Indonesia · Indonesia

This community outreach activity in the Cibabat area of Cimahi, Indonesia, responds to findings that urban rainwater is affected by local pollution sources and long-distance transport of natural and anthropogenic air pollutants, by using rainwater processed through a treatment installation as an irrigation source for soil-free hydroponic urban farming. Framing urban farming as a way to create green open space amid dense urban development, the activity delivered outreach and training on rainwater treatment technology to build residents' skills and knowledge. No quantitative outcome measurements are reported.

Liang Zixi, Hui Liang, Chen Xiuping, Huang Yushu, Yang Guiying, Yuan Cuiyun · Journal of Agriculture and Forestry · China

An essay (Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2023) traces the historical development of "Yunnan Garden," a regional garden style in China's Yunnan province, situating it within the context of the 2021 UN Convention on Biological Diversity conference (COP15) held in Kunming, and proposes countermeasures for its further development based on an analysis of Yunnan's resource endowment. The paper is a historical and cultural analysis without empirical measurements.

Fan Xu, Fangke Xu, Pu Xu, Min Liu, Yufeng Li · Sustainability · China

A study of 106 questionnaire responses from new urban agricultural business entities in Shanghai, China (Sustainability, 2023) combined the Theory of Planned Behavior with the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability model and a binary Probit regression to examine online sales intentions and behavior for low-carbon agricultural products. Economic expectations and social norms significantly improved online sales intention at the formation stage, while behavior control was found not to be conducive to improving online sales intention. The study also identified a gap between operators' willingness to sell online and their actual behavior, and found that strengthening policy conditions and management capacity helped convert stated willingness into actual online-selling behavior.

NOVI EFRIYANTI, Ratna Komala Dewi, IDA AYU LISTIA DEWI · Jurnal Agribisnis dan Agrowisata (Journal of Agribusiness and Agritourism) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study identifies internal and external factors and derives priority strategies for urban farming development in the Cempaka Farmers Group in South Jakarta, Indonesia, using IFE, EFE, SWOT, and QSPM matrix analysis. Among internal factors, the group's already having a defined vision and mission was the main strength (score 0.197), while insufficient urban farming production, much of it not worth selling, was the main weakness (score 0.083). Among external factors, government assistance in the form of programs, training, and agricultural tools for urban agriculture actors was the main opportunity (score 0.370), while the agricultural land not being owned by the Cempaka Farmers Group was the biggest threat (score 0.164). The resulting priority strategy is to maximize the farmer group's own activities while drawing on support from outside parties, the government, and developing technology.

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.

Li Jiacheng · Eco-Business / Dialogue Earth · China

China's mandatory waste-sorting policy, launched in Shanghai in 2019, improved diversion and recycling but created a new problem: overbuilt waste-to-energy incineration capacity. Shanghai diverted 54% of its waste (6.46 million tonnes) in 2021, up from 21% in 2018, while the number of national incinerators grew from 130 in 2011 to 927 by 2023, pushing 2022 national overcapacity to 100.99%.

Jiajia Zhang, Zishuang Li, XiaoLin Zhou, Wencheng Ding, Xuexia Wang, Meng Zhao, Hongjie Li, Guoyuan Zou, Yanhua Chen · Science of the Total Environment · China

A 2023 study using an 11-year wheat–maize rotation field trial in China to test how long-term application of pig- and cow-manure compost affects soil microplastics (MPs). The composts themselves contained 3,547 and 4,520 items/kg respectively; soils under long-term application held 144–287 and 140–316 items/kg, significantly more than unamended soil, and abundance rose with application rate. Compost-derived accumulation reached 1.73 × 10⁸ to 7.22 × 10⁸ items per hectare, accounting for 43.0–75.9% of total soil MPs, with the contribution doubling when the application rate doubled. Particles under 1 mm made up 31.0% of MPs in the composts but 43.8% in amended soils, size and abundance fell with depth, and particle surfaces showed complex weathering with attached soil mineral colloids — evidence, the authors conclude, that compost-derived MPs are progressively fragmented and degraded in soil after application. Polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and polyethylene terephthalate fibres dominated.

Shao Y., Heath T., Zhu Y., Zhou Z. · Sustainable Production and Consumption · China

Assesses the economic feasibility of urban family vertical farming in Shanghai's new residential areas, finding roughly 30% return on investment and improved vegetable/fruit self-sufficiency, indicating a viable commercial market for household vertical-farming systems.

Kim Y., Shin H.-R., Oh S.-H., Yu K.-H. · Agriculture (MDPI) · Korea

Conducts a comparative economic analysis in Korea of greenhouses versus natural- and artificial-light plant factories based on insulation, lighting, and photovoltaic costs, also assessing energy use and emissions to gauge commercial plant-factory feasibility.

Jing R., Liu J., Zhang H., Zhong F., Liu Y., Lin J. · Energy (Elsevier), 256:124626 · China (Shenzhen)

Integrating GIS, biogeochemical and solar simulation to quantify how much food and energy urban rooftop agrivoltaics (lettuce grown under PV panels) can produce. For Shenzhen's 854,000 rooftops (~105 km²) it estimates ~0.98 Mt/year of lettuce (meeting the whole city's demand) and ~2,106 MW of PV generating ~1,899 GWh/year, while flagging ~4.11 Mt/year of extra irrigation water as a key water trade-off.

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.

Asian research network · ResearchGate · Asia

Research on organic waste composting and its application in urban agriculture across emerging Asian cities, integrating circular agriculture with waste reduction.

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.

Yang Y., Kwan R.Y.C., Zhai H.M., Xiong Y., Zhao T., Fang K.L., Zhang H.Q. · Aging & Mental Health, 26(4):745-753 · China

A pilot randomized controlled trial allocating 32 nursing home residents with dementia to horticultural therapy or control. Post-intervention, between-group differences in apathy (Apathy Evaluation Scale) and cognition (MMSE) were statistically significant, indicating horticultural therapy may improve apathy in older people with dementia. It supports embedding gardening in elderly welfare and dementia-care programmes.

· Land · China

Analyzes how urban expansion drives the loss and fragmentation of cropland in China's major grain production areas.