Research & reports

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.

Heristama Anugerah Putra, Ryan Putranda Kristianto, David Andrian, Daniel Gentario Hutabarat, Elisabeth Yolanda Kristin · Sarwahita · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This study in Surabaya, Indonesia, addresses the cultivation of grapes using the verticulture method as an urban farming concept. The project involved preparation, socialization, training, mentoring, and evaluation to enable residents to learn grape cultivation from seeding to fertilization, aiming for both consumption and sale of produce.

Shuyue He, Ming Li, Yuhan Zheng, Xin Gao, Ruixia Wang · Cities · China

An ethnographic study of two guerrilla gardening cases in Nanjing, China (SuoJincun), examined how residents produce differentiated representational space in daily gardening practice. It found that gardening carries social value as material production, functions as a material carrier of place attachment and cultural identity, offers access to nature and culture for residents with limited mobility, and operates as a form of private appropriation and recycling of collective public space by residents.

Nurul Hidayati, Pienyani Rosawanti, Djoko Eko Hadi Susilo, Fahruddin Arfianto, Hariyadi Hariyadi · Daun Jurnal Ilmiah Pertanian dan Kehutanan · Indonesia

This experimental and descriptive study examines the implementation of urban farming techniques — vertical gardening, hydroponics, potted plants (tabulapot), and cultivation in sacks and planters — in urban areas of Indonesia, focusing on household food security. Sweet potato was chosen for its ease of growth and environmental adaptability, with both tubers and leaves usable as vegetables. Regression correlation analysis found sweet potato productivity of 1.4 kg per 40 kg sack with 10 cuttings per sack, a strong positive correlation of 96.77% between tuber count and total weight per sack (y = 71.069x - 878.93), and a strong positive correlation of 83.05% between tuber count and individual tuber weight (y = 1.6985x - 9.87), indicating that more tubers did not reduce individual tuber weight. A household growing 10 sacks was calculated to have a potential yield of 14,000 grams (14 kg).

Mutia Devi Hidayati, Arief Rahmatulloh, Luchis Rubianto, Pritantina Yuni Lestari · Jurnal Abadimas Adi Buana · Indonesia

In the Mulyorejo sub-district of Sukun district, Malang, Indonesia (area 2.75 km²), residents actively use vacant land and underused resources under an urban farming concept, including cultivating butterfly pea flowers, though product diversification of the flowers into higher-value goods had not been thoroughly developed. This community service project delivered skills training in making batik using butterfly pea flowers as a natural dye — a technique noted for producing soft colors, commanding a high market value, and being environmentally friendly, aligned with the "clean water and sanitation" Sustainable Development Goal — and introduced ways of combining different natural dyes for color variation. Held on October 7, 2023 with 8 participants, the post-training questionnaire yielded a mean of 3.88 and a mode of 4.0 across questions, indicating participants understood, felt the benefits of, and were satisfied with the training; participants also received an electric canting (batik drawing tool) for independent production.

Regita Fatya Azzahra, Muhammad Iqbal Nurulhaq, Leonard Dharmawan · JURNAL PENYULUHAN PEMBANGUNAN · Indonesia

A qualitative descriptive study with SWOT analysis of millennial farmers in Desa Cipayung, Indonesia, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture's young-farmer program. It aims to identify the potential and problems facing these farmers and to formulate a group-strengthening strategy and farm-development program. The study proposes strategies such as drawing on field agricultural extension officers to optimize use of available land and natural resources, applying best agricultural practices, and directing millennial farmer group members toward microgreens production to meet market demand.

Arta Kusumaningrum, Didik Widiyantono, Uswatun Hasanah, Dyah Panuntun Utami, Istiko Agus Wicaksono, Isna Windani · Surya Abdimas · Indonesia

Describes a community-service (pengabdian) activity introducing the concept of urban farming using limited urban residential space — pots arranged on walls and fences — to a Women Farmer Group (KWT) at Perum Pepabri Borokulon in Purworejo Regency, Indonesia. The activity combined secondary data collection, key-informant interviews, focus group discussion, extension training, implementation of urban farming, and monitoring and evaluation. It reports that urban farming proved suitable for implementation in this urban residential setting and that it could supply food at the household scale and increase household income for members of the women farmer group.

Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur · Mongabay India · India

Across Indian cities, urban dwellers are turning rooftops, balconies and vacant plots into food gardens, driven by a desire for fresh organic produce as well as hopes of cutting air pollution and easing the urban heat island effect. Farmers in cities such as Ludhiana and Bengaluru are adopting shade nets and drip irrigation to cope with extreme heat, and research in Bengaluru suggests rooftop farming could reduce indoor temperatures by 2-8°C.

· Sustainability · China (Beijing)

Case study of Beijing's Dashilar historic neighborhood analyzing resident-driven small-scale gardening as spontaneous green renewal, an alternative to government-led redevelopment.

Novianti Indah Putri, Zen Munawar, Rita Komalasari, Iswanto Iswanto, Hernawati Hernawati, Dandun Widhiantoro · Darma Abdi Karya · Indonesia

A prototype digital farming system was developed for farmer groups in Indonesia, based on participatory action research. This system integrates IoT technologies such as Arduino UNO, solar panels, soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and automated irrigation. The prototype helps monitor and automate routine processes, enabling farmers to maintain the quality of planting media, which was deemed crucial for easier and more efficient plant growth and development.

Darmawan Setia Budi, Hapsari Kenconojati, Mohammad Faizal Ulkhaq, Muhammad Yusuf Taufiqur Rohman, Shovia Finny Anggraeni, Farahnovita Yuliyanti, Ahmad Alie Fikri, Shierly Zaissiliya Clarissa Lifani, Hikam Zainul Qolbi · ABDIMAS Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Asia

In Muncul fish farm, Banyuwangi, Indonesia, a community partnership program was introduced to enhance catfish production using a bucket farming system. This program significantly improved catfish productivity and profitability through the application of humic acid, and participants gained knowledge and skills in intensive bucket fish farming, increasing their productivity and income.

Indri Wulandari, Teguh Husodo, Dede Mulyanto, Oekan S. Abdoellah, CIKA ASTI AMALIA, SHOFI SITI FARHANIAH · Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity · Indonesia (Bandung City)

This quantitative study investigated urban home gardening's role in food security in Rancasari Sub-district, Bandung City, Indonesia, sampling housing over 20 years old in Manjahlega and Mekarjaya Villages. The findings revealed that ornamental plants dominate home gardens in the area, with residents prioritizing aesthetic value over food, medicine, or spice production. Consequently, home gardening has not been fully effective in supporting urban farming and food security in Rancasari Sub-district due to the prevalence of ornamental plant selection.

Euis Elih Nurlaelih, Sitawati Sitawati, Santi Kusuma Fajarwati, Dewi Ratih Rizki Damaiyant · JAPI (Jurnal Akses Pengabdian Indonesia) · Indonesia (Malang)

A community assistance activity was conducted in Penanggungan Village, Malang City, Indonesia, aiming to improve knowledge and skills in plant maintenance for urban farming in a densely populated residential area with limited cultivation land. Although residents were already practicing urban farming, plant maintenance was not optimal. The activity, which included preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, data analysis, and reporting, resulted in positive impacts such as better plant arrangement and increased knowledge among the residents.

Lian Agustina Setiyaningsih, Sri Widayati, Laksni Sedyowati, Muhammad Alwi Risqillah, Sufiyanto, Diyah Sukanti Cahyaningsih · I-Com Indonesian Community Journal · Indonesia

This community service project in Malang City, Indonesia, aimed to increase harvests for the Cemara Hijau women farmers' group and support food security in urban housing areas. The project implemented a hydroganic system and provided training to improve harvest effectiveness. The results indicate the potential for expanding the hydroganic movement to involve more residents and address contemporary food security challenges.

G Charan Tej, P. Lakshmi, B. Savitha, A. Meena · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development · India (Telangana)

A survey was conducted in Telangana state, India (Hyderabad, Warangal, and Karimnagar) to assess urban dwellers' knowledge of terrace gardening. Among 120 respondents, 52.50% showed a high level of knowledge, but gaps were identified regarding terrace gardening layout (54.17% unaware), crop rotation benefits (53.33% unfamiliar), seedling trays (52.50% lacked knowledge), drainage hole uses (50.83% unaware), and protecting plants from harsh weather (47.50% lacked understanding).

Ade Irma Suryani, Abdul Robby Banny, Ajeung Nurlatifah, Albie Aditya Samudra, Asep Endih Nurhidayat, Bayu Eka Supriatna, Dzikri Maulana, Ijang Samsu Rijal, Rohman Rohman, Wendy Leo Sanjaya, Tita Kartika Dewi · Jurnal Informasi Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Subang)

This community service activity aimed to optimize the role of urban farming extension using verticulture techniques in Buana Green Housing, Soklat Village, Subang Regency, Indonesia. Conducted from July to November 2023, the activity resulted in increased knowledge and implementation of verticultural cultivation among the Buana Green Housing community.

Ester Juliana Sitohang, Ayu Putri Ana, M Reza Alfikri, Dwi Retno Mulyanti, Indah Grasulina Sitohang · Nawadeepa Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community service program implemented in Lubang Buaya Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta, in 2023 aimed to promote urban farming using used bottles to strengthen local food security. The program successfully improved participants' knowledge, skills, and insights in hydroponic plant cultivation, stimulated household-scale business development, and contributed to environmental improvement.

Sunik Sunik, Sari Perwita R.I. · Jurnal BisTek PERTANIAN Agribisnis dan Teknologi Hasil Pertanian · Indonesia

This 2023 qualitative study in Indonesia analyzed the characteristics of organic urban farming actors and their considerations for choosing irrigation systems. The majority of respondents were of productive age, had a high school education, and worked as civil servants, private sector employees, or entrepreneurs. Key considerations for selecting an irrigation type included complexity, time availability, and ease of implementation.

Xiaojing Wang, Xiaoguang Zhang · Applied Sciences · China (Qingdao)

This study evaluated the agricultural production potential of urban rooftop spaces in Shibei District, Qingdao, China, using GIS spatial analysis. After analyzing inventory standards for idle rooftop space and conducting statistical analysis, the research found that the rooftop area of urban buildings in Shibei District is 383.3 hectares, with an annual vegetable production potential of 25,800 tons, capable of supplying 184,300 urban residents. It concluded that the idle rooftop area in cities and its potential for agricultural production are significant.

Siti Hasanah, Mustika Widowati, Sri Hardiningsih, Vita Arumsari · KACANEGARA Jurnal Pengabdian pada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)

This community service project targeted women in the "Ijo Royo-Royo" Women Farmers Group in Tambakaji, Semarang City, Indonesia, addressing their limited experience in utilizing narrow home yards for planting and lack of skills in waste management. The project provided assistance in creating urban gardens for daily food independence, managing plastic waste for vertical planting, and processing vegetable and fruit waste into healthy drinks and organic fertilizer. The aim was to increase the economic value and benefits of urban backyard farming.

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).

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.

Elisabet, Prima Wahyu Titisari · Jurnal Agronomi Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Agronomy) · Indonesia

This study investigated the potential of eco-enzyme and oyster mushroom bag-log waste as growing media for celery microgreens, a model suitable for urban farming. Using a factorial design, researchers tested eco-enzyme dosages (0.5, 15, 25 mL L-1) and bag-log waste dosages (0.50, 100, 150 g/tray). Findings showed a significant interaction between the two factors, with the combination of 25 mL L-1 eco-enzyme and 150 g/tray bag-log waste yielding the best results across all measured parameters, including wet weight and nutrient levels.

Tuyet Truong, Khoirunnisa Khuzaimah, H.T.M. Pham, Ho Ngoc Son, Tuan Van Bui, Long Ha · SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF TAN TRAO UNIVERSITY · Vietnam (Son La Province)

A study surveyed 39 local farmers in Buot village, Son La province, Vietnam, to examine their perception of agrobiodiversity and factors influencing the adoption of syntrophic farming in home gardens. The survey found that most farmers understood the importance of agrobiodiversity and were willing to adopt syntrophic farming. However, challenges in capital, market access, and a lack of irrigation systems were identified as barriers hindering their adoption of syntrophic farming.

Irnanda Pratiwi, Muhni Pamuji, Nasir Nasir · IKRA-ITH ABDIMAS · Indonesia

This program in Sialang sub-district, Indonesia, aims to empower the community by educating them on urban farming and providing training in processing bitter melon and banana stems into economically valuable chips. It addresses the lack of comprehensive training in urban farming and utilizing home garden produce. The program reports that one banana midrib stem yields approximately 1.5 kg of chips, and 1 kg of bitter melon produces 200g of chips.