Research & reports

Ade Astri Muliasari, Hidayati Fatchur R, Faranita Ratih L, Doni Sahat Tua Manalu · Community Development Journal Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Bogor)

An urban farming program was implemented in Cihideung Ilir Village, Bogor Regency, Indonesia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming for food security. This community service activity targeted female cadres of PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment), providing education on the importance of urban farming and training in cultivation skills. Program evaluation results indicated success, evidenced by the participants' enthusiasm.

Selly Oktarina, Sumardjo Sumardjo, Ninuk Purnaningsih, Dwi Retno Hapsari · Nyimak Journal of Communication · Indonesia

An explanatory survey study analyzed participatory communication among women farmers in the urban farming program in Bogor City and Bogor Regency, Indonesia, and the factors affecting it. Using a quantitative approach supported by qualitative data, data were collected from 231 women farmer respondents via cluster sampling across urban, semi-urban and rural clusters, and analyzed using scoring, difference tests, and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results show that the level of participatory communication in the urban farming program was medium, as measured by dialogue atmosphere, dialogue participation, and degree of convergence. Factors significantly influencing participatory communication were respondent characteristics, champion/facilitator competence, exposure to media communication, and institutional support.

Yue Jin, Hee Sun Choi, Daniel C. Elkin · · China

A mixed-methods study of three representative communities in Nanjing, China, examining the value of edible community gardens against the backdrop of COVID-19, associated government area controls, restricted access to daily food supplies, and elderly residents' unfamiliarity with online shopping. The study used GIS mapping of Nanjing's food system, site observations, questionnaires and interviews, analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods. It found that most elderly residents want and value edible community gardens, especially during the epidemic; that the gardens offer opportunities for new companionship and leisure; and that edible landscaping increases communities' ornamental value and interactivity. The gardens were also described as beneficial for sustainable food production in terms of ecological environment, economic benefit, social regeneration and local development.

Silvia Septhiani, Diah Oga Nusantari, Ihwan Zulkarnain · PUNDIMAS Publikasi Kegiatan Abdimas · Indonesia

This report describes a community-service activity in Harapan Jaya, Cibinong District, Bogor Regency, Indonesia, aimed at improving residents' productivity and health during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic producing a lack of productive at-home leisure activity and a sense of stagnation among residents, urban farming is positioned as one pandemic-era activity offering economic, health, and environmental benefits, covering food crops, medicinal plants ("living pharmacy"/apotik hidup), and ornamental plants. The team provided residents of Harapan Jaya with information on family medicinal plants (TOGA). The activity is described as increasing residents' understanding of medicinal plants and fostering productive attitudes and a healthy, green environment.

Woro Harkandi Kencana, Meisyanti Meisyanti, Yunita Sari · Warta LPM · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community service (PKM) program targeted the women farmers group KWT D'Shafa in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, Indonesia, which faced problems including a small membership, underused urban farming land, limited business management knowledge, manual record-keeping of members, harvests and sales, and limited marketing communication skills. Activities included outreach on the benefits of urban farming, installing hydroponic systems, business management training and assistance, moving member, harvest, and sales records to a web-based system using Google Sites, and digital marketing training covering Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. The program report states that these activities contributed to improved welfare for KWT D'Shafa member households.

Riris Lindiawati Puspitasari, Arief Pambudi, Yunus Effendi, Genta Hadela · · Indonesia (Depok)

This community service activity aimed to enhance the skills of street children attending Sekolah Masjid Terminal (Master) in Depok, Indonesia, through simple hydroponics training. The training, initially conducted online due to restrictions, introduced participants to hydroponic techniques using simple equipment. Initial results showed participants gained information on simple hydroponic techniques.

Adhitya Rahmat Taufiq, Deden Mulyana, Mohammad Soleh Soeaidy, Allicia Deana Santosa · ETHOS (Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian) · Indonesia (Tasikmalaya)

This community service program in Gunung Tandala Village, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia, aimed to provide knowledge and training on alternative resources for food independence to embroidery industry workers who lost jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The training included simple urban farming and catfish cultivation in buckets, offering basic knowledge and practical examples. The activity successfully increased participants' literacy regarding food independence stability and their understanding of potential market opportunities.

Rieska Maharani, Zainal Rusdi, Lynda Yunyver, Reza Mega Novalia, Adiva Salsabila · Jurnal Abdidas · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This activity was conducted in RT 07 RW 03, Kendangsari District, Tenggilis Mejoyo Village, Surabaya City, to enhance food security and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. A student team from Muhammadiyah Surabaya University's Accounting Study Program, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Education and Culture's Holistic Village Development and Empowerment Program, provided hydroponic instruction, introduction, practical training, and guidance on selling and diversifying hydroponic products. The program indirectly fostered local food security and resilience and generated new income for residents affected by the pandemic.

Rini Fitri, Suryani Suryani · Jurnal Ilmiah Respati · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This paper discusses urban agriculture as a solution for elderly individuals to engage in physical activity and reduce depression in limited yard spaces in DKI Jakarta, Indonesia. It highlights that urban farming activities, such as cultivating vegetables, secondary crops, and horticulture, are undertaken by housewives and the elderly. The practice of urban agriculture encourages seniors to express their capabilities, supporting their identity and autonomy, and aims to outline these activities for the elderly.

Ratna Zulfarosda, Vita Fibriyani · JMM - Jurnal Masyarakat Merdeka · Indonesia (Jawa Timur)

This activity aimed to empower the community of Ngemplakrejo Village, Pasuruan, East Java, to practice hydroponic cultivation as a solution for food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process involved introducing cultivation techniques, demonstrating hydroponic planting, and community practice. The activity resulted in increased community understanding of plant cultivation and hydroponic techniques, and participants successfully practiced sowing.

Richard Kwasi Bannor, Mohit Sharma, Helena Oppong-Kyeremeh · International Journal of Social Economics · Ghana; India

This study interviewed 650 urban agriculture farmers in Ghana and India to assess household food security and the impact of urban agriculture participation. Ghanaian households were found to be mildly food insecure, while Indian households were moderately food insecure. Demographic, economic, institutional, and health factors influenced urban food security and urban agriculture differently, and the extent of urban agriculture participation positively influenced food security.

Rahmi Winangsih, Rahmi Mulyasih, Marthalena, Rethorika Berthanilla, Ahmad Sururi · Bantenese - Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Cilegon)

This paper reports on an empowerment communication program within an urban farming initiative targeting women in Kampung Lukis Ramanuju, Cilegon City, Indonesia. The program aims to empower women to meet family and community food needs by cultivating high-economic-value crops like vegetables and fruits. As a result of the mentorship, the participating group became capable of producing crops for personal consumption.

Sri Adiningsih, Siti Rahayu Nadhiroh, Farapti · Acta Scientifci Nutritional Health · Indonesia

This 2021 study examines Indonesia's Home Gardening Zone (HGZ) program, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture to increase dietary diversity and food security, with the aim of assessing why community gardeners participate in the program and exploring its potential impacts on community and household food security.

Shahida Mohd Sharif, Norsidah Ujang · INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY · Indonesia

Noting that more than 50% of the population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050, and that urban migration raises the risk of insufficient social support leading to individualism, social isolation, and loneliness, a conceptual framework is proposed for investigating the level of social bonding among participants in community gardening activities. The paper argues that the choice of urban green space type is critical for wellbeing, positions community gardens as an intervention strategy for reintegrating socially isolated people into community life, and suggests that urban designers and policymakers adopt community gardens as safe public spaces for social interaction.

Irina Mildawani, Arief Rahman · The Journal of Synergy Landscape · Indonesia

A survey of 148 respondents in the Jabodetabek region of Indonesia, conducted via Google Form between July and December 2020, examined household gardening preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with activities before and predicted after it. Using qualitative content analysis (QCA), the study assessed emotional well-being and explored variation in garden type — vegetable versus ornamental plants, community versus household gardens, and who was involved. Gardening was seen as a favorable activity generating happy family time, with respondents wanting to continue it after the pandemic, but landscape architects had not yet been chosen as gardeners when professional assistance was needed.

Farida Rahmawati, Ana Chusniatul Hidayah, Aida Nur Faizah, Ahmad Falahuddin, Muhammad Adryan Okuputra · Journal of Social Development Studies · Indonesia

This study examined the actions and innovations of Gelar Gulung, a citizen movement in Tegalweru Village, Tegalrejo District, Yogyakarta City, Indonesia, aimed at meeting residents' food needs independently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a descriptive method with qualitative data gathered through observation, interviews, and literature review, the study identified five categories of action: (a) participatory mapping of self-reliant residents, (b) food emergency response, (c) social action for economic independence, (d) livelihood network building, and (e) urban farming (food-stock gardening). The report states these activities received a positive response from stakeholders, having increased food security during the pandemic and supported long-term economic independence.

Dwiyana Anela Kurniasari, Siti Alimah, Agus Subhan Prasetyo, Nur Hafif · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Gender & Inklusi Sosial UWP · Indonesia

A study analyzed participation levels among PKK (Family Welfare and Empowerment) members in RT05/RW06 of the Balasklumprik area in Wiyung district, Surabaya, Indonesia, in a hydroponics training program conducted by the Agribusiness Study Program of Universitas Wijaya Putra in July 2020. Participation rates were 100% for seedling-raising training, 80% for hydroponic nutrition training, 86.67% success in the first pakcoy harvest, and 73.33% of members continued hydroponic cultivation after the training; descriptive analysis concluded that PKK members participated well in each activity of the hydroponics program.

Dwi Aditiyarini, Catarina Aprilia Ariestanti, Aniek Prasetyaningsih, Timothy Charles Wherrett, Hardo Firmana Given Grace Manik, Katon Wijana · Sendimas 2021 - Seminar Nasional Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

A community-service report on Kampung Sayur Bausasran, a pilot urban agriculture district in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where the COVID-19 pandemic had reduced productivity and community engagement. Academics from Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) ran an empowerment program covering six farmer groups and one Food Yard Movement (Gerakan Pekarangan Pangan) plot, addressing human resources, business, institutional, and environmental development through training, application and simulation of knowledge and technology. Needs were first mapped through interviews with each farmer group's leadership; needs differed by condition, location and land area, but all centered on agriculture-related support, and simple hydroponic cultivation was introduced as one solution. Supporting activities included beautifying the vegetable village and improving management and administration, aimed at developing the area toward education-based ecotourism. The program was well received by village officials and farmer group leaders, producing greened vegetable alleys, diversified processed products, and a website and social media for promotion. The report identifies remaining needs for more detailed mapping of each farmer group's potential and for human-resource development programs to raise community motivation for advancing urban agriculture.

Teguh Husodo, Keukeu Kaniawati Rosada, Mia Miranti, Nining Ratningsih, Suryana Suryana · Kumawula Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) are described as a community effort at self-empowerment aimed at creating independent business opportunities that rely on the community's own abilities and creativity, an effort requiring entrepreneurship support to build understanding of production processes and product benefits. Seven of thirty UMKM in Desa Cinunuk, Bandung Regency, Indonesia (divided into six categories), were analyzed using nine indicators of the business model canvas method. One developed UMKM was additionally identified as potential not only from an economic standpoint but also for community empowerment: use of residents' narrow landholdings combined with the ease of production under the urban farming concept was seen as capable of becoming an iconic business for Desa Cinunuk. The Women Farmers Group (KWT) of Desa Cinunuk is described as having the potential to develop into an advanced UMKM through entrepreneurship support such as completing licensing, pharmacological testing, and certification.

Fahmi Rafika Perdana · Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Media Pemikiran dan Dakwah Pembangunan · Indonesia (Yogyakarta City)

This qualitative study examined empowerment efforts within the Gemah Ripah Adult Farmer Group in Bausasran Village, Yogyakarta City, Indonesia, focusing on family involvement and social capital. Findings indicated that empowerment brought benefits for family socio-economic resilience, supported by maintained social capital and external backing. However, obstacles included a lack of awareness among some residents, difficulty engaging young people, and the busyness common in urban society.

김은영, 이태희 · 경영컨설팅연구 · South Korea

This study explored strategies for promoting urban agriculture in the rural-urban complex area of Pohang City, South Korea. It analyzed central government and local government urban agriculture plans and current conditions in major municipalities using SWOT analysis. The findings suggest that successful urban agriculture activation requires creating healing spaces, utilizing idle land, and linking with urban regeneration projects. Additionally, it calls for human resource development, incorporating citizen feedback, developing a sixth-industry-linked urban agriculture model, and implementing sustainable practical promotion through Living-Lab projects.

Nisa Maidah Rahmawati, Joko Winarno, Agung Wibowo · · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study investigated community empowerment activities through urban farming in Marunda flats, North Jakarta. The flats' irrigation has deficiencies and group working is not yet fair, leading the society to choose to do agriculture activities by themselves. The research identified external factors (natural resources, environments, group dynamics, networking, human resources, policy, facilities and infrastructure) and internal factors (skill, non-formal education, and income) that obstruct empowerment activities.

Priya Ranjan Kumar, Sudarshan Maurya, Asit Chakrabarti, V K Yadav, Soumen Naskar, Sanju Gupta, Sonal Kumari, Arun Kumar Singh, B. P. Bhatt, Bikash Das · The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences · India (Jharkhand)

This two-year experimental study in four villages near Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, tested technological options to improve the profitability of peri-urban agriculture systems. Farm households were classified into five typologies based on agri-economic conditions. The experiments indicated that options such as rainy season cultivation of solanaceous vegetables, cultivation of wheat and chickpea in rice fallow, parasite management in animals, and oyster mushroom cultivation increased income from agricultural production systems for all farmer typologies. Notably, income from non-farm sources decreased across all five typologies.

Jongwoo Kim · · South Korea

This study aimed to propose activation measures for school-based urban agricultural education in South Korea, using focus group interviews with teachers and literature analysis. Teachers reported a lack of school gardens, particularly open-field plots, and difficulties in management, highlighting the need for personnel. They also noted the use of container gardens to compensate for the lack of space and the selection of crops for student harvesting experiences.

Rahayu Sri Waskitoningtyas, Nur Ismiyati · Abdimas Universal · Indonesia (Balikpapan)

This study investigated how urban residents of PKK RT 49 in Sepinggan Village, Balikpapan, Indonesia, engage in urban farming. Through observation and documentation, it found that urban farming benefits mothers in RT 49, enabling them to grow vegetables like chili, tomatoes, onions, lime, and pumpkin in their yards or using recycled containers.