Research & reports

Fürüzan Aslan, Yaşar Menteş, Oğuz ATEŞ · Kırklareli Üniversitesi Mühendislik ve Fen Bilimleri Dergisi · Turkey (Elazığ)

This study examines the city area of Elazığ province, Türkiye, from the perspective of urban agriculture, which is presented as a tool for sustainable urban development. It offers various suggestions to ensure sustainability in Elazığ, develop insights into regional food supply, and increase the importance of urban aesthetics, land use, urban environmental management, public health, and economic development.

Rachel Surls, Rob Bennaton, Gail Feenstra, Ramiro E. Lobo, Alda F. A. Pires, Jennifer Sowerwine, Julia Van Soelen Kim, Cheryl A. Wilen · California Agriculture · United States (California)

From 2017 to 2018, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) researchers conducted a series of 16 workshops for urban farmers in California. The evaluation found that economic issues such as profitability and land access are among the greatest barriers for urban farming in California. While networking among participants was an unexpected positive outcome, urban farmers expressed a need for more opportunities for mentoring and building partnerships.

Adeline Ngie, Nobukhosi Sithole · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · South Africa (Johannesburg)

A study in Johannesburg, South Africa, assessed urban transformational strategies, including rooftop gardening and hydroponic farming, aimed at improving food security and regenerating infrastructure. Using open-ended interviews with stakeholders, findings indicated improved household food security and income generation, but challenges such as soil and water flow for rooftop gardens persist. Hydroponics faced hurdles like energy supply and input costs, though it showed more promise for land and water resource efficiency.

Adita Utami, M. Agung Pradana, Ismail Marosy, Irdyna Syachira, Putri Monika, Ahmad Habib Romadhon Hardiyansyah · Jurnal ABDINUS Jurnal Pengabdian Nusantara · Indonesia (Palembang)

This community service project in a remote area of Palembang, Indonesia, aimed to empower local mothers through urban farming (hydroponics) to generate additional family income. Activities included counseling, land preparation, hydroponic system installation, seeding, maintenance, training, and product marketing. The project resulted in partners independently conducting hydroponic planting and selling agricultural products with higher profits than initial capital.

Oekan S. Abdoellah, Yusep Suparman, Kinanti Indah Safitri, Akhmad Zainal Mubarak, Mira Milani, Margareth, L. T. Abhinav Surya · Geography and sustainability · Indonesia (Bandung)

A study in Bandung, Indonesia, surveyed 321 households to assess urban agriculture's contribution to household food fulfillment and income. The findings showed an insignificant 9% contribution to food fulfillment and a 41.5% contribution to income. This limited impact was attributed to metropolitan complexities, including restricted land access and increasing commercialization.

Saria Lofton, Akilah Martin, Marjorie Kersten, Nanyombi Lubimbi, Helene Vilme, Forgive Avorgbedor, Angela Odoms‐Young · Community Health Equity Research & Policy · United States (Chicago)

This study interviewed 17 urban growers and local food advocates in predominantly Black communities in Chicago to understand barriers to accessing healthy food through urban agriculture. Key barriers identified were the lack of accessibility to traditional food retailers, the high availability of processed foods, and issues with the cultural acceptability of urban-produced foods. The research highlights significant challenges faced by these communities in accessing healthy food despite urban agriculture's potential.

Muhammad Iqbal Usman, Muhammad Hasan, Citra Ayni Kamaruddin, Nunu Nurdiana, Nur Jannah Nurjannah · Societas Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Sosial · Indonesia (Makassar)

This qualitative study examined the community empowerment model through urban farming in the Orchid Women Farmer Group (KWT) in Bara-Barayya Village, Makassar City, Indonesia. Using the CIPOO model approach, the study found that while some aspects of the empowerment model were not fully met, the overall empowerment results in urban farming at the Orchid KWT were effective. This led to increased resource utilization and community harmony among participants.

Institut de Gestion des Techniques Urbaines, Université Larbi Ben M’hidi, MERIEM BENLAHRECHE, Saïd Mazouz, Département d’architecture, Université Larbi Ben M’hidi · Revue Roumaine de Géographie / Romanian Journal of Geography · Algeria

This article aims to explain urban phenomena in Hamma Bouziane, Algeria, a city known for its fertile land. The study indicates that the peri-urban agriculture of Hamma Bouziane is suffering negative repercussions due to unbridled urban expansion and socio-economic changes.

Reismaya Wanamertan Nugroho, Kusnandar, Joko Sutrisno · International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering and Information Technology · Indonesia

This study used the Analytical Network Process (ANP) method with expert respondents to determine urban farming development priorities in Magelang, Indonesia. The social dimension was identified as the overall sustainability priority. Key priorities across dimensions included women farmers' income and motivation, land availability, cultivation technology, and agricultural extension roles, leading to integrated agriculture as the priority strategy.

Yu. N. Katkov, N. A. Starostina, A. A. Romanova, М. К. Dzhikуa, I. O. Aidlin · Buhuchet v sel skom hozjajstve (Accounting in Agriculture) · Global

This article theoretically substantiates information and analytical support for city farm business plans, aiming to enhance food security by providing organic and eco-friendly agricultural products. It presents author's models for accounting and analytical systems and information support for city farm business plans. These models are intended to aid import substitution in agricultural products and contribute economically.

Nurdiana, Muhammad Hasan, Miranda, Muhammad Ihsan Said Ahmad, Citra Ayni Kamaruddin, Thamrin Tahir · International Journal of Social Science and Business · Global

This qualitative study analyzed the implementation of the 7P marketing mix for processed agricultural products by the Orchid Women Farmer Group, using observations, interviews, and FGDs with 4 informants. The 7P marketing mix was generally implemented, with supporting factors including self-confidence, cooperation, and encouragement from agricultural extension workers. Inhibiting factors were identified as lack of literacy and limited time, which affect the implementation process.

Ray Octafian, Nina Mistriani, Rifki A. Rachman · SEWAGATI Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Semarang)

This study describes assistance provided to Agro Wates in Semarang City, Indonesia, which has been an urban farming site since 2018. The assistance aimed to help managers develop agro-business management through educational tourism, utilizing methods such as agro potential analysis, educational tourism program guidance, and FGDs. The outcome included the establishment of three management concepts for Agro Wates as an educational tourism destination and increased confidence among managers as tour guides.

James Kwame Mensah · International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development · Global

This study examined how the concepts of urban agriculture (UA), local economic development (LED), and climate change can be treated in unison. Based on a review of credible published papers on UA, LED, climate change, and nature-based solutions (NBS), a conceptual framework was developed to show their linkages. The paper established that UA could boost LED, build resilient urban settlements, and promote social inclusiveness, but it also comes with social challenges.

Lila B. Karki, Prem Bhandari · Global Journal of Agricultural Research · United States (Maryland)

This 2022 project collected data from 22 small, socially disadvantaged minority urban gardeners in Maryland to enhance their efficiency. Findings showed farmers operated rationally, cultivating an average of 20 diversified specialty, ethnic, and medicinal crops on 1.2 acres. They employed integrated alley and mixed cropping systems, rainwater harvesting, expanded compost-making, maintained high cropping diversity, and introduced a tier system to mitigate production, marketing, and financial risks.

COULIBALY Moussa · International Journal of Advanced Research · Côte d'Ivoire (Korhogo)

This study in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, surveyed 81 farmers to assess the impact of urban agriculture on food production and farmer health. It found that urban agriculture, predominantly practiced by women (85.19%) with no formal education (71.61%), involves the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with non-adherence to application intervals. A significant portion of farmers (59.26%) discard chemical packaging in the environment. Despite contributing to empowerment, this practice exposes farmers to health problems including fatigue (53.09%), injuries (25.92%), skin burns (11.11%), dry coughs/colds (32.10%), and diarrheal diseases (19.75%).

F.E. Awoyelu, R.A. Mebo · Agro-Science · Nigeria (Osun State)

This study assessed the effects of artisanal sand mining on peri-urban agriculture in Ife East and Ife Central Local Government Areas, Osun State, Nigeria, from 2015 to 2019. Data from 120 respondents (landowners, cultivators, residents) showed that cultivated land area decreased by 24.8% (from 48% to 23.2%), while sand-mined area substantially increased by 20.4% (from 14.6% to 35%). Landowners' decision to part with land for sand mining increased with age, household size, and farming as primary occupation, but decreased with higher education levels.

Norbertus Citra Irawan, Suswadi Suswadi, Mahananto Mahananto, Agung Prasetyo · Jurnal Ilmiah Hijau Cendekia · Indonesia (Surakarta)

This study investigated changes in the urban farming community in Surakarta, Indonesia, using the AIDP model analysis approach, surveying 50 community members. Results showed varying success rates across strategy stages; evaluation strategies like partnerships with local traders and financial institutions, vertical land use, and open dialogue performed poorly. Furthermore, improving financial literacy and sustainable waste management systems were unsuccessful, and agricultural product brand promotion and innovative institutional models also performed poorly.

Т.В. СТАРИКОВА, R. A. Skachkov, А.И. БЕНКЕЧ, С.П. ПРОКОПОВИЧ · Экономика и предпринимательство · Russia

This article discusses the concept of urban farming as a promising direction for improving food security in the Russian Federation. The authors analyze the current agricultural situation, identify existing food security problems, and propose urban farming as a potential solution.

Rasidin Karo Karo Sitepu, Veralianta Br Sebayang · JURNAL AGRIBISNIS DAN KOMUNIKASI PERTANIAN (Journal of Agribusiness and Agricultural Communication) · Indonesia (Bogor City)

A study in Margajaya Village, Bogor City, Indonesia, involving 94 households, analyzed factors influencing household decisions in implementing urban agriculture. It found that 87.23% of the community understood urban agriculture concepts, with the tabulampot system being the most applied method (51.22%). Household preferences, influenced by economic, environmental, and social aspects, and knowledge of urban agriculture positively affected decisions to implement urban agriculture.

Rachael Maysels, Apolinar Figueroa Casas, Juan Diego Otero Sarmiento, Shiomara Mileydi Zuñiga Meneses · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Colombia

This study analyzed the dynamics of the local food system in the Andean region of Cauca, Colombia, and explored how it can be conceptualized as an Alternative Food Network (AFN) within the Global South context. Transdisciplinary research, utilizing SWOT analysis during stakeholder workshops and reflexive thematic analysis, was conducted. Results showed the coexistence of both traditional and conventional food system dynamics; participants valued traditional food systems and agroecological production more, but economic insecurity and socio-political unrest hindered a robust transition from the conventional food system.

Luis Carlos Estupiñán Aponte · Repositorio Institucional UPTC · Global

This project explores urban and peri-urban agriculture as a viable, though not comprehensive, solution to food vulnerability in urban areas, where access to food is often limited by purchasing power. It applies circular economy and agroecological principles, utilizing available resources for garden assembly, processing plant waste into fertilizers, and employing botanical and microbiological controls for phytosanitary management. The initiative emphasizes broad community participation, knowledge exchange, and the creation of social spaces to enhance food and nutrition security.

Susmita Das, Teesha Majumder · · India

This article discusses the concept of "Agritecture" as a potential solution to address food security challenges in urban areas amidst increasing urbanization and declining agricultural land in India. It explores the interactions between agriculture and architecture to support urban necessities and ecosystems. The study suggests exploiting the opportunity in developing physical structures for agricultural output to accelerate urban and rural growth.

Sumaina Duku · Al-Basyar Jurnal Pengembangan Masyarakat Islam · Indonesia (Palembang)

This community assistance program in Bukit Sangkal village, Kalidoni district, Palembang City, aimed to map potential vacant lands for urban farming and suitable commodities for cultivation. The program found that while urban farming has been implemented as a poverty alleviation method in Bukit Sangkal, the utilization of vacant land remains suboptimal, with many residents still disposing of waste indiscriminately. Continued involvement from various parties is needed to provide information and extension services on urban farming and innovation adoption.

J. L. Miralles i Garcia · International Journal of Environmental Impacts · Spain (Valencia)

In L’Horta de València, a historical agricultural area in Valencia, Spain, challenges and opportunities in peri-urban agriculture management were investigated. A semi-structured survey focusing on a SWOT analysis was administered to key specialists involved in the 2018 legislative protection and 2019 management plan. The study aimed to evaluate how newly implemented tools are rectifying identified issues, but the abstract does not present specific findings from the survey.

Chethika Gunasiri Wadumestrige Dona, Geetha Mohan, Kensuke Fukushi · Journal of Water and Environment Technology · Sri Lanka (Colombo)

This study aimed to identify the perception levels of urban farmers in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka, towards greywater irrigation and the factors influencing these perceptions. The results revealed that urban farmers in the Colombo District are willing to reuse greywater for farming activities. Farm management factors such as irrigation source, farm size, and farmers’ preference for different crop types significantly influenced their perception of greywater irrigation.