Research & reports

Jamille Anderson Luiz da Silva, Paula Tereza de Souza e Silva · Cadernos de Prospecção · Global

This study aimed to identify mobile applications developed or used for offering and trading food products in community gardens, through scientific and technological prospecting. Searches were conducted across multiple databases using keywords like "Aplicativo," "App," "Software," "Horta," and "Agricultura urbana." The results showed few applications associated with the theme, with most intended for specific localities and few available for widespread use, indicating a limited effect of existing tools.

Muh Abror · Suluh Abdi · Indonesia (Sidoarjo)

A community service project in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, aimed to empower the Aisyiyah branch community through organic urban farming using polybags. The project provided training in organic plant cultivation and verticulture, and developed organic nutrient production from household waste to ensure fertilizer availability. The initiative successfully produced starter fertilizers, including biolactobacillus and Local Microorganisms (MOL).

Chomchid Phromsin, Orasa Suksawang · Sustainability · Thailand (Phayao)

This research surveyed 80 farm households in Huay Lan Subdistrict Municipality, Thailand, between December 2018 and January 2019, to examine socio-economic and environmental conditions and the potential of urban agriculture for food security. The study found uncertainties in future food security due to labor shortages, low productivity, low income, and chemical use. Spatial clustering identified weaknesses and development opportunities, suggesting a farmer coalition could enhance food security through collective efforts.

Suswadi, Norbertus Citra Irawan · Kufa Journal for Agricultural Sciences · Indonesia

This study investigated urban communities' perceptions of how ethnobotanical practices and urban farming relate to planet, people, and profit in achieving "city healing," surveying 150 respondents in five major Indonesian cities. Analysis using structural equation modeling and partial least squares showed that people, planet, and profit generally have excellent and significant effects on urban farming ethnobotany, and the use of ethnobotanical practices has a considerable and beneficial impact on urban health.

Budiman Widodo, Budiman Widodo, Winarti · Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences · Indonesia (Surakarta)

This study investigated the potential of the "Lihat Kebunku" (Look at My Garden) urban farming movement in Surakarta during the pandemic, using normative and concept research methods. Secondary data and existing concepts were utilized for information collection. The study results indicated that the movement of agricultural land use in Surakarta can be a mobilization process ensuring increased community participation and awareness in utilizing abandoned land through urban farming.

Neville N. Suh, Richard A. Nyiawung, Ernest L. Molua, Rossella Bottone, Canan Abay · World Development Sustainability · Cameroon

This study in Cameroon explored the association between farming households' resilience and food/nutrition insecurity during COVID-19 lockdowns. Focus group discussions identified shocks and response strategies, followed by an in-depth study of 249 farming households. Econometric modeling revealed that COVID-19 shocks adversely affected food and nutrition security and reduced resilience capacity. However, existing adaptive capacity and access to basic services significantly contributed to resilience, with female-headed and semi-urban households showing greater resilience.

Shinta Diah Wulandari, Tukiman Tukiman · Jurnal Mediasosian Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Administrasi Negara · Indonesia (Surabaya)

The implementation of an urban farming program at the Elok Mekar Sari farmer group in Semolowaru Village, Surabaya City, Indonesia, was investigated using descriptive qualitative research and the van Meter van Horn model. Policy objectives and standards were achieved, and inter-organizational communication was optimally implemented. However, human resources and social environment aspects were not optimal, and implementers' understanding of the urban farming policy's objectives was found to be lacking.

Michael Tuffour · Journal of Regional and City Planning · Ghana

This study investigated how urban farmers in Ghana cope with land scarcity amidst rapid urbanization and the factors influencing their mobility for farmland. Responses from 251 farmers were analyzed using both Tobit and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), revealing that land situation factors such as land ownership type, land scarcity challenges, and land size were associated with farmers' mobility. Farm characteristics like market benefits, intensity of vegetable production, and technology level, along with personal characteristics such as age, education level, farmer engagement, and marital status, also played a role in mobility.

· Building Materials and Engineering Structures · United States

This study examines the significance of seeds in defining sustainability within urban agriculture, which is viewed as an agricultural operation in a non-rural setting emphasizing communication, education, and farm goods. Using Gray-associated analysis, the study evaluated various crops, finding that spring beans received the highest rank and autumn beans the lowest.

Lia Sekti Chrisnawati · Jurnal Ecolab · Indonesia

A literature review on the issue of agricultural land conversion to non-agricultural uses in Bekasi Regency, Indonesia, identified its direct impacts. The study noted reduced rice production, loss of fertile agricultural land, loss of investment in irrigation infrastructure, landscape damage, increased river and groundwater pollution, occurrence of natural disasters like floods and droughts, and a lack of water absorption areas. These findings indicate the need for policies and programs supporting sustainable urban planning.

Wenhao Zhu · Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology · United States (Chicago)

This paper focuses on the characteristics of vertical farms, using The Plant vertical farm in Chicago as an example to describe its design and performance, and analyze its advantages and design principles. The success of The Plant is attributed to saving raw materials and waste disposal costs through waste utilization, staggered electricity consumption, and insulated structures to maximize energy cost savings. However, while small-scale pilot projects of vertical farms have achieved some success, many constraints remain for scaling them up due to high construction and operation costs and high technical levels.

Vivi Eriyanti, Arimurti Kriswibowo · NeoRespublica Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This qualitative descriptive study examined the implementation of an urban agriculture program by the Surabaya City Government within the Subur Makmur farmer group in Pagesangan Village, Jambangan District, Surabaya. Using observation, interviews, and documentation, and Korten's three-element theory, the research found that the program's implementation by the target group yielded good results in improving community welfare and empowerment. The program aims to optimize family economy, health, and living standards by utilizing vacant land for urban farming.

Dwi Putra Darmawan, Gede Mekse Korri Arisena, A.A.A. Wulandira Sawitri Djelantik, Anak Agung Keswari Krisnandika, Ni Ketut Sri Utari, Nyoman Tri Lukpitasari Korri · Journal of Agricultural Sciences – Sri Lanka · Indonesia (Denpasar City)

This study observed the independence of 66 urban farmers in Subak Sembung, Denpasar City, Indonesia, using observation and interviews. Findings revealed that the majority of farmers had a high level of independence in cultivation tool preparation, crop production, capital, capital providers, and type of cultivated commodity. However, a lack of independence was identified in post-harvest handling, management, self-development, collaborating to provide agricultural services, and technology adoption.

Aubrey Lynn Garcia, M.A.C. Griffith, George Paul Buss, Xiusheng Yang, John L. Griffis, Sarah E. Bauer, Ankit Singh · Agricultural Sciences · Global

This review investigates Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) as a potential solution for food security, discussing its rationale, growth factors, and technologies. While indoor farming systems like vertical farming enhance urban access to food, the cost of CEA remains high, though it is decreasing due to technological advances.

Sean M. Crotty · California History · United States (California)

Pascale Joassart-Marcelli's book "The $16 Taco" examines how food and power intersect to create landscapes of hunger and plenty in U.S. cities, using San Diego as a case study. It argues for the centrality of food in broader structural issues of social, political, and cultural inequalities, which manifest as material inequality. The book explores the impacts of food apartheid, a system of segregation that prevents certain groups from accessing nourishment, and explains the role of racist real estate practices in devaluing neighborhoods of immigrants and people of color.

Maria Cecília Barreto Amorim Pilla, Cilene da Silva Gomes Ribeiro, Taciane Eloisa de Camargo · Ágora · Brazil

This research aims to analyze the historical, economic, and sociocultural processes that create the gender dimension within sustainable development and the emancipation of vulnerable women. It highlights that urban agriculture initiatives, such as community gardens, mobilize communities to transform degraded spaces into healthy ones, providing vegetables and fostering social interaction. The study emphasizes the need for women's inclusion in public policy to achieve legal, political, and social equality, thereby empowering them and reducing vulnerability.

Jialing Xie · · Australia (Wyndham)

Wyndham, one of Australia's fastest-growing communities, faces increased urbanization and pressure on its socio-ecological environment, leading to growing food insecurity. This paper aims to explore agriculture-based resilient community development to achieve food security in Wyndham. Through a critical review of relevant literature and case studies on implementing a pilot site design approach, the paper presents necessary actions for urban farming practices at their current scale and reviews opportunities and barriers to scaling up these practices under future risks like climate change and sea-level rise.

Syamsiar Zamzam, Mayasari Yamin, Sri Nur Qadri, Andi Dita Tawakkal Gau · Jurnal Hilirisasi IPTEKS · Indonesia (Parepare)

This activity, conducted in Parepare City from March to April 2023, addressed the lack of agricultural land and urban farming knowledge among residents. It aimed to enable the community to implement urban farming through oyster mushroom cultivation. The program utilized three methods: socialization, training, and practical sessions, resulting in enthusiastic participation and interest from Parepare City residents in adopting oyster mushroom cultivation as urban farming.

Silvio Caputo, Victoria Schoen, Chris Blythe · Land · United Kingdom (London)

Data was collected from seven community gardens and one community farm in London, UK, during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons using a citizen science approach, investigating crop yield, resource inputs, and social benefits. Results showed very mixed levels of crop and social productivity depending on organizational structure and agenda, with no clear pattern emerging. This study suggests that citywide productivity evaluations based on small data samples may not be reliable.

Setiyono, Roswan, Randy Napitupulu · Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Darma Saskara · Indonesia (Depok)

In the RT10/RW03 Tirtajaya Depok area of Indonesia, approximately 1500 m2 of unused land was utilized for organic vegetable cultivation to meet local household food needs. Corn was intercropped with vegetables such as pokcoy and mustard greens, with land preparation conducted by local residents in collaboration with Gunadarma University's Agrotechnology team. This initiative is expected to yield results in about three months, supporting the local economy, environmental health, and community cohesion.

Navjot Sangwan, Luca Tasciotti · Agriculture · Sub-Saharan Africa

This cross-country study analyzed household data from nine Sub-Saharan African countries to investigate the impact of urban agriculture (UA) on household food expenditure and dietary diversity. Using an inverse-probability weighted regression adjustment method, the study found that households engaged in UA reduced overall food expenditure and increased spending on protein-rich foods like nuts, legumes, fruits, dairy, meat, and poultry. The impact of UA varied substantially across the food expenditure distribution.

Mohammed Seid Ebrahim · Ethiopian Journal of Business and Social Science · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

This study examined factors affecting the growth of micro and small enterprises in Gulele Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, using survey data from 120 enterprise leaders/owners. Enterprises grew at a rate of 0.20, but growth trends varied across sectors including urban agriculture. The analysis found that age, gender, and work experience of leaders/owners, along with enterprise age, employee numbers, workplace suitability, marketing problems, and government policies, significantly influenced growth, indicating that cumbersome bureaucratic procedures contributed to undergrowth and stagnation.

O.M. Seretse, Abhishek Agarwal, Ulaula Mmiletsi, Mbizo Mpho · Advances in Modern Agriculture · Sub-Saharan Africa

This study designed a cost-effective, two-row donkey-drawn maize planter for small-scale farms in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Botswana, where donkeys are a primary power source. The assembled planter weighs 48.93 kg, can be drawn by three donkeys, and has an estimated cost of 200 USD. The study notes limitations and calls for further research to assess performance under varying soil conditions, durability, and planting efficiency.

Haryanti Haryanti, Iskandar Iskandar, Achmad Rizal, Ratu Siti Aliah, Suhendar I Sachoemar · Polish Journal of Environmental Studies · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This 6-month study (July-December 2022) in Jakarta's sub-urban area investigated prospective urban farming aquaculture business models for food and economic security during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 200 fish farming groups showed that Tilapia and Catfish models (CF-3, CF-2) improved food security, while ornamental fish models (OF-1, OF-2, OF-4, OF-5) improved economic security. The study concluded that urban farming aquaculture has good prospects as an alternative business.

Benjamin Felix Richardson · · New Zealand (Auckland)

Auckland's urban sprawl threatens to significantly raise the price of fresh fruits and vegetables across the country, worsening chronic food security issues. Food production has become detached from the food security and food sovereignty of Aotearoa's people. The severity of this issue is driving calls for reform, and a conflict exists between humanity's agricultural subsistence and the destabilizing demands of financial extraction, where crucial productive hubs can be lost permanently.