Research & reports

Reni Amaranti · ETHOS (Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian) · Indonesia

This community service activity provided assistance to communities in Indonesia to manage organic waste at the local Rukun Tetangga (RT) level. The aim was to support urban farming programs by addressing the uneven spread of knowledge and low public participation in waste utilization. The activity focused on helping communities utilize their existing potentials and resources for waste management.

Quintana Piñeros, Jacqueline Lisette · · Colombia (Bogota)

This proposal is based on studying the climatological behavior of the main Bogota River basin and its vegetation characteristics to identify suitable native species for urban agriculture. It also proposes a rainwater harvesting system design for hard surfaces, specifically the laboratory building terrace at El Porvenir citadel of Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas. The system would comprise storage, transport, and filtration systems, culminating in a drip irrigation system.

Gaston E. Small, Brendan Sisombath, Lauren Reuss, Russ Henry, Adam D. Kay · Compost Science & Utilization · Global

The study measured the effects of different barley mash to wood chip ratios on nutrient retention in compost and subsequent vegetable yield. Nine compost piles (1 m3) were constructed with varying ratios, and the 50:50 mixture maintained internal temperatures above 55°C for 30 days. When the finished compost was used in raised-bed garden plots, arugula and tomato yields increased with compost barley mash content, but less than 5% of N and 2% of P were recycled into new vegetable production.

Mariana Barbosa de Souza, Ana Claudia Guske · COLÓQUIO - Revista do Desenvolvimento Regional · Global

This study aimed to discuss the concept of urban agriculture from the perspectives of agroecology and organic agriculture. A theoretical review of key concepts such as urban and peri-urban agriculture, agroecology, and organic agriculture, along with an exploratory study, were conducted. Through a bibliographic and documentary survey, the research explored the possibility of urban agriculture, when associated with agroecology and organic agriculture, contributing to regional development.

Nur Faizah Marwan, Bagas Setiono, Nur Indah · Jurnal Ilmiah Penalaran dan Penelitian Mahasiswa · Indonesia

Code Village in Indonesia faces severe river pollution, with heavy metal levels at 6-9 mg/l, exceeding the 3 mg/l standard. This paper proposes the "ECOBLUE" concept, which combines Blue Open Space (BOS) optimization with urban farming, prioritizing waste management to improve living standards. The concept involves managing organic waste for fertilizer and recycling plastic for vertical gardens, aiming to enhance health, education, and prosperity in Code Village.

Amadou Diallo Alpha, Bibbal Delphine, Tall Lô Fatou, Mbengue Mbaye, Moustapha Sarr Mohamed, Diouf Moussa, Sambe Yacine, Kérourédan Monique, Alambédji Rianatou, Yaya Thiongane, Éric Oswald, Brugère Hubert · African Journal of Microbiology Research · Senegal (Dakar)

This study in Dakar, Senegal, detected and characterized pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli from slaughterhouse wastewater and municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. Researchers screened 268 E. coli isolates from the slaughterhouse and 272 from the WWTP for genetic markers, and 40 isolates from each site for antimicrobial resistance. While pathogenic and resistant E. coli were found in raw slaughterhouse wastewater, the final treated water from the WWTP, used for urban gardening, did not contain E. coli, indicating low sanitation risks after treatment.

Hosham S. Yousif, El-Syed I. Gaber, Goma A. Bakeer, Abbas E. Rahma, Fathi G. EL-Ebabi · مجلة الدراسات الأفريقية · Sudan (Khartoum)

Sprinkler irrigation has been gaining popularity in Sudan since the mid-1990s, primarily adopted in urban and peri-urban farming in Khartoum state for fodder and vegetable production. The method is mainly used due to its high efficiency and flexibility in applying small depths of water. Water conservation, particularly for farmers using groundwater for irrigation, is another motive for its spread.

María Luisa Álvarez, Gabriel Gascó, César Plaza, Jorge Paz‐Ferreiro, Ana Méndez · Land Degradation and Development · Global

This study compared peat, hydrochars from biosolids (HSL) and urban wastes (HUW), and their 50% volume mixtures with peat, as potential substrates. Ryegrass was grown in these mixtures, and hydrophysical and biochemical properties were analyzed. Treatments with biosolids hydrochar (HSL) and its mixture with peat (PT + HSL) increased ryegrass dry weight production by 184% and 216% respectively, compared to peat.

Dominique Massé, Moussa N’Diénor, Edmond Hien, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Yacine Badiane Ndour, Alfonse Bilgo, Serge Houot, Christine Aubry · IRD Éditions eBooks · Sub-Saharan Africa

This chapter reviews research since 2006 on composting urban waste and using municipal landfill screenings in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ouagadougou, urban waste compost significantly increased sorghum yields (2 to 5 times higher than controls) over two years, with phosphorus content being crucial when concentrated at plant level, and mineralization rate determining yield when spread. In Madagascar, soil from the Andralanitra landfill showed value as an amendment or fertilizer for tomato cultivation, though application principles and safety need definition. However, municipal landfill screenings from Dakar did not achieve yields comparable to horse manure when tested on tomato crops.

Rifa Dianmurti, Lathoif Ghozali · el-Qist Journal of Islamic Economics and Business (JIEB) · Indonesia (Surakarta)

This study analyzed the role of Rumah Zakat's urban farming in community economic empowerment in Ngemplak Sutan Organic Vegetable Village, Surakarta City, Indonesia, using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data was collected through observation, documentation, and direct interviews with empowerment facilitators from Rumah Zakat and the head of the community self-help group. The urban farming activities resulted in the formation of the Organic Vegetable Village program through independent nutritional gardens, the establishment of the Kahuripan vegetable seed cooperative, the formation of women farmer groups, and waste bank management by village residents.

Rung-Jiun Chou, Chen-Ting Wu, Feng-Tzu Huang · Sustainability · Taiwan (Taoyuan)

This qualitative study explored the experiences of community champions in Gaoyuan, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, where a traditional farm pond was transformed into a multi-functional urban agriculture (UA) resource. Through interviews, fieldwork, and participant observation, the study found that UA fostered a distinctive landscape, promoted cooperative working and mutual learning among local people, and built social cohesion. The farm-pond-based UA acted as a catalyst for the community's progress toward sustainability.

Monika Egerer, Alessandro Ossola, Brenda B. Lin · BioScience · United States (California central coast)

This study conceptualizes community garden soils within the novel ecosystem framework, arguing that gardeners cultivate novel agroecosystems from their garden beds' soil. On the California central coast, community garden soils may not be influenced by land-use legacies associated with geographic location. Instead, intensive soil reworking by gardeners can wash out legacy signals and decadal chronological trends, leading to soil homogenization that reduces biophysical ties to the underlying earth.

Zilma Borges de Souza, Lya Cynthia Porto de Oliveira, E. C. A. S. S. LIMA, Fábio Bruno Queiroga, Joyce Rodrigues · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil (São Paulo)

This research analyzes the development, functions, social practices, and income generation of urban agriculture in Jardim Angela and Jardim Sao Luis, located in the M’Boi Mirim region of São Paulo, Brazil. It maps existing initiatives and prospects opportunities for agroecological food production in private and collective spaces. The study presents partial results from an interdisciplinary project involving three universities.

이윤숙 · · Global

Urban agriculture has gained emphasis due to its importance for leisure and recreation in modern society. However, public health may not be guaranteed due to continuous odors from animal compost. Biochar is an amendment that can reduce odors and enhance crop productivity, but this abstract is truncated and does not present specific research findings.

S. H. Ahmed, M. Emam, M. Abul-Soud · Zagazig Journal of Agricultural Research · Egypt (Cairo)

This study investigated the effect of different vermicompost rates (10%, 20%, 30%) and pot volumes (4, 6, 8 L) on celery and red cabbage grown under green roof conditions in Cairo, Egypt, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Increasing pot volume from 4 to 8 L increased vegetative growth and yield but decreased economic efficiency. A 20% vermicompost rate increased vegetative and yield characteristics, while 30% had a negative impact. Increasing vermicompost from 10% to 30% increased N, P, and K contents, but increasing pot volume from 4 to 8 L/plant decreased N, P, and K contents.

Upite Joseph Tshala, Misonga Alain Kitabala, Mwamba Jean-Pierre Tunda, Kayakez Michel Mufind, Miji Arsene Kalenda, Kanyimbu Georges Kapele, Kimuni Luciens Nyembo · Journal of Applied Biosciences · Africa

This study, conducted from May 2015 to April 2016 in Kolwezi, assessed the agronomic characteristics of compost from household waste and determined its biodegradable fraction for agricultural use. Waste was collected from 100 households, revealing biodegradable and non-biodegradable fractions, with quantities varying by season and commune. The biodegradable fraction represented 53% of the average monthly waste of 1001.5 kg per household. Major element concentrations were relatively high compared to Cameroon, while heavy metal concentrations were well below international standards.

Volker Häring, Delphine Manka’abusi, Edmund Kyei Akoto-Danso, Steffen Werner, Kofi Atiah, Christoph Steiner, Désiré Jean‐Pascal Lompo, S.G.K. Adiku, Andreas Buerkert, Bernd Marschner · Scientific Reports · Sub-Saharan Africa

This 2-year study in Tamale (Ghana) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) investigated the effects of biochar, wastewater irrigation, and fertilization on sandy, nutrient-depleted soils in urban vegetable production. Biochar addition (2 kg m⁻²) initially doubled soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, but 35% SOC losses occurred afterward. Both biochar types had no effect on soil pH, phosphorus availability, or cation exchange capacity, though rice husk biochar retained nitrogen. The study found that the effects of biochar and waste water were less pronounced than reported elsewhere.

Shirin Yajam, Mohammad Taghi Alebrahim, Roghaye Majd, Mehrdad Sabouhi · · Global

A study examining the role and benefits of urban agriculture was conducted based on library resources, documents, and evidence of successful examples in other countries. It was shown that urban agriculture can play an important role in increasing food security, improving nutrition, reducing poverty, developing local economies, creating jobs, and recycling municipal waste. The study concluded that urban agriculture can be considered an appropriate solution for sustainable urban development in environmental issues and for improving food security and safety.

Edina Vadovics, Matthew Hayes · · Hungary

A case study of the Open Garden Foundation, a local organic producer-consumer network in Hungary, was conducted. The foundation developed within a Central Eastern European socioeconomic context not supportive of radical solutions for the agricultural sector and rural communities. The study focused on the development of organic agriculture in Hungary, food consumption trends, opportunities for purchasing local organic products, and people's awareness of organic products. The Open Garden's management transitioned from the not-for-profit to the for-profit sector, while the main actors remained consistent.

Rattan Lal · · Global

This chapter describes the nature, properties, restoration, and sustainable management of urban soils to enhance food security and environmental quality. It notes that urban ecosystems are rapidly expanding and changing, with urban soils often classified as Anthropic soils. Drastic human-induced disturbances to urban soils hinder ecosystem functions, but restoration strategies aim to create novel soil types that improve vegetative production, denature pollutants, reduce salinization, and strengthen biogeochemical and biogeophysical cycling.

Kaduna‐Ève Demailly · Géographie et cultures · France

This article examines shared gardens in the Île-de-France region of France as territories of environmental transition. Based on a study of 48 shared gardens in the Parisian metropolitan area, the analysis of user and political actor discourses and practices highlights their role in improving living environments and raising awareness of environmentally friendly practices that promote urban biodiversity.

Indrianawati Usman, Paundra Viveka Nanda · J for Global Business Advancement · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This research explores the possibility of utilizing coffee grounds from coffee shops in Surabaya, Indonesia, through green concepts and reverse logistics, using an exploratory case study with interviews. It found that individual coffee shops cannot recycle their own grounds due to small amounts and lack of resources. The study concludes that third parties are needed to recycle coffee grounds into valuable products like fertilizer for urban farming communities, presenting a green business opportunity model.

Eileen Bogweh Nchanji, Imogen Bellwood‐Howard, Nikolaus Schareika, Takemore Chagomoka, Johannes Schlesinger, D. Rodríguez Torres Axel, Glaser Rüdiger · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ghana (Tamale)

An ethnographic study in Tamale, Northern Ghana, assessed the sustainability of urban vegetable production between 2008 and 2014. While urbanization increased cultivation of profitable vegetables like cabbage, the practice involved irrigation with grey and wastewater and high pesticide use, posing health and environmental hazards. Industrial growth reduced open space urban agriculture by 8.7%, leading farmers to use interstitial spaces and peri-urban fringes, indicating a dynamic but not yet sustainable production system.

Ade Yulistiani · · Indonesia

This study, conducted from December 2016 to March 2017 in Labuhan Ratu, Indonesia, investigated the effects of organic fertilizer and urea fertilizer doses on sweet corn growth, production, and leaf pigment. Using a 2x4 factorial randomized block design with three replications, it found that both organic fertilizer (15 tons/ha chicken manure and 20 ml/l Biomax grow biofertilizer) and urea fertilizer increased growth, production, and leaf pigment. Organic fertilizer application increased plot production by 18.57%, and adding organic fertilizer reduced the optimum urea dose from 278.5 kg/ha to 236.9 kg/ha for maximum plot production.

Jim Leap, Darryl Wong, Orin Martin, Kirstin Yogg Comerchero · eScholarship (California Digital Library) · United States (California)

A guide for small-scale specialty crop growers on organic potato production on California's Central Coast. The region's climate is described as well suited to potatoes, with yields reaching up to 10 tons per acre. It covers mechanized weed management, hilling and harvest equipment, the growth habits of "new" and "creamer" potatoes, recommended varieties, and suitability for direct sales through CSAs, farmers' markets, specialty markets and restaurants.