Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Biochar–Compost blends modulate trace element and nutrient dynamics in rooftop farming systems under Mediterranean conditions
2025Medina Veliu, Hugo López-Romano, Giuseppe Picca, Marco Panettieri, Eduardo Moreno‐Jiménez, Denis Courtier‐Murias, Liliane Jean‐Soro, Johnny Gaspéri, Laura L. de Sosa · Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety · Spain (Madrid)
This study investigated the impact of biochar-amended composts on trace element and nutrient dynamics in rooftop farming systems by cultivating tomatoes, lettuce, and Swiss chard for three years on a Madrid rooftop. Six substrates derived from spent coffee grounds, coffee silverskin, and seaweeds, with and without biochar, were used. Results showed that biochar reduced plant uptake and leaching of trace elements, lowering arsenic uptake by up to 40% in seaweed-based composts. Biochar also improved nutrient retention, reducing phosphorus and nitrogen losses by 40% and 25% respectively.
CompostOrganic cycleHealthCarbon and nitrogen cycling in an urban constructed technosol: The artist-led carbon sponge pilot study
2025Sara Perl Egendorf, Maha Deeb, Brooke Singer, Nkwi Flores, Marisa Prefer, Zhongqi Cheng, Peter M. Groffman · Geoderma · United States (New York City)
The Carbon Sponge pilot study, conducted at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, New York City, evaluated the effects of different plant communities on constructed Technosol formation and carbon and nitrogen cycling through an artist-led collaboration. Soils were constructed from NYC Clean Soil Bank sediments and urban municipal composts at a 2:1 ratio, creating 24 beds under 8 different planting regimes. Over the 21-month study duration, soils changed significantly in microbial biomass nitrogen content, sunflowers increased soil carbon and ammonium, and cover crop mixtures increased nitrate and ammonium.
Organic cycleBiodiversityCommunityComparative analysis of organic and conventional farm sustainability in peri-urban zones of Rabat, Morocco: insights and perspectives
2025Fatiha Hakimi, Sara Sehli, Abeer Hashem, Graciela Dolores Ávila-Quezada, Elsayed Fathi Abd Allah · Cogent Food & Agriculture · Morocco
In peri-urban Rabat, Morocco, a study compared the sustainability of 30 farms (15 organic, 15 conventional) using the IDEA method, assessing agro-environmental, socio-territorial, and economic dimensions with 18 indicators. Organic farms excelled in agro-environmental sustainability and demonstrated long-term economic resilience. Conversely, conventional farms, while more productive, faced socio-territorial limitations and economic dependence on external inputs.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsBiodiversityOrganic cycleAntifungal potential of local plant extracts in the biological control of soil-borne diseases of tomato and eggplant in Daloa, Centre-West, Côte d'Ivoire
2025SORO Sibirina, TRAORE Aboulaye, KOFFI N’guessan Mathurin, TRAORE-OUATTARA Karidia · World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews · Côte d'Ivoire (Daloa)
In Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire, tomato and eggplant production is limited by biotic diseases. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of six plant extracts against soil-borne fungal pathogens affecting tomato and eggplant. Eggplant plants treated with Securidaca sp exhibited the greatest tolerance to disease, with a severity index of 2.1%. Aqueous extracts of Securidaca sp and Solanum sp reduced mortality rates more effectively than synthetic fungicide, suggesting they can be recommended as an alternative for controlling soil-borne fungal diseases in tomato and eggplant.
Peri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleAnalisis silase limbah sayur Pasar Grosir Ngronggo terhadap kapasitas tampung ternak ruminansia di Kota Kediri
2025Brilian Desca Dianingtyas, Nurina Rahmawati · Agrivet Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Pertanian dan Peternakan (Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Veteriner) · Indonesia (Kediri City)
This research aims to determine the capacity of ruminant livestock to utilize processed vegetable waste from the Ngronggo Wholesale Market in Kediri City as silage. A qualitative descriptive design collected data on waste amount, livestock numbers, and capacity. The potential availability of vegetable waste silage in 2024 is estimated at 11,186.56 kg DM/year, 378.11 kg CP/year, and 8,423.48 kg TDN/year. This silage is concluded to be sufficient to supply over 50% of the total animal units in Kediri City.
Food lossOrganic cycleEconomicsPotencialización de la sostenibilidad ecológica y el desarrollo del eje temático Competencias para la vida, propuesto por el Ministerio de Educación Pública, a través de un huerto
2025Murillo, Ivannia · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Global
This article highlights the importance of school gardens as experiential teaching resources for learning processes and their social impact through the participation of the educational community and families. It also reflects on the need for quality education and appropriate professional training to meet educational needs, emphasizing the role of life skills as promoted by the National Qualifications Framework and the Ministry of Public Education.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleApproaching the study and understanding of urban agriculture from a systemic perspective
2025Juan Camilo Fontalvo-Buelvas, Oswaldo Rahmses Castro-Martínez · Horticulture International Journal · Global
This essay aimed to analyze the contributions of systems thinking to the understanding and management of urban agriculture. Three analytical domains—physical, biophysical, and human-biophysical—were examined, and teleomatic, teleonomic, and teleological processes were discussed as explanatory frameworks for the internal dynamics of urban gardens. The essay concludes that a holistic systems perspective enables a deeper understanding of the structure, emergent properties, and functional dynamics of urban agriculture.
PolicyCommunityOrganic cycleClimate changeDevelopment of urban organic farming
2025V. Movchan, N. Iliuk, O. Melezhyk, N. Zinchuk · Balanced nature using · Global
This article studies current trends, problems, and prospects for the development of urban agriculture, including organic farming, as a component of sustainable food systems and urban ecosystems. It analyzes the environmental, social, and economic benefits of urban organic farming, as well as key risks and barriers to implementing organic practices in urban areas. The study identified main factors affecting urban farming effectiveness and outlined opportunities for innovative technologies.
Organic cycleClimate changeEconomicsPolicyAgroecologia, Geografia e permacultura:
2025Luyanne Catarina Lourenço de Azevedo · Revista Brasileira de Educação em Geografia · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
The "Sidney Bueno School Garden Project," carried out at Municipal School São Paulo in Rio de Janeiro between 2022 and 2023, aimed to create a garden based on agroecology and permaculture principles. Integrating school geography concepts and curriculum content related to environment and sustainability, the project sought to develop an understanding of interactions between space, society, and nature. Student involvement promoted cartographic literacy and stimulated autonomy.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeOrganic cycleHORTA COMUNITÁRIA URBANA DE BASE POPULAR, AGROECOLÓGICA E SOLIDÁRIA
2025Paloma Ribeiro TARRÃO, D. Ferreira, Rita de Cássia Pereira de Pereira de Almeida · Revista ORG & DEMO · Brazil (São Paulo)
This article analyzed the implementation of the Gera Juncal community garden in São Mateus, São Paulo, between October 2021 and September 2022, using participatory action research and a case study approach. The findings indicated the adequacy of "School" Time and Community Time relationships, learning agroecology and solidarity economy principles, and the effectiveness of these practices in food production. It also showed changes in individual and group conduct, trainer training, and fostered public policy development for food sovereignty.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleFood educationExploring the significance of treated wastewater reuse in urban agriculture and resilient cities: a bibliometric analysis
2025S. Louis, Johanes A. Belle, Zachariah Haruna Mshelia, Tinashe Lindel Dirwai · Water Reuse · Global
This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 960 articles from the Scopus database published between 2008 and 2024 to explore trends in treated wastewater (TWW) reuse in urban agriculture. The analysis found that wastewater reclamation and treatment had the weakest strength and fewest occurrences, indicating a research gap in the use of TWW for urban agriculture.
Climate changeOrganic cyclePolicyAKASIA Program as an Environmentally Based Elderly Empowerment in the Anyelir 2 Harjamukti Farmers Group
2025Fanny Shinta Junita, Devy Puspasari Siswaningrum, Nur Rahmi Fajri Yanti, Wendi Gustira · Prospect Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat · Indonesia (Depok)
This article discusses the AKASIA Program, an elderly empowerment initiative implemented with the Anyelir 2 Farmers Group in Harjamukti Village, Depok, Indonesia. The program supported elderly garden activities using a community empowerment approach, including urban farming training, organic waste processing, cultivation facilities, and ongoing mentoring. Results demonstrated that the program not only provided productive, social, and recreational space for seniors but also significantly improved their happiness, relaxation, and quality of life. Furthermore, it contributed to reducing organic waste and opening economic opportunities through the sale of agricultural products.
ElderlyCommunityOrganic cycleWelfareDe la gestion des déchets à l’agriculture urbaine : circularités et tensions des filières de matières organiques à Nkayi (République du Congo)
2025Noémie Régeard · L’Espace Politique · Congo
This article explores the circularity of organic matter streams in Nkayi, an intermediate city in Congo, through interviews and observations. The qualitative inquiry reveals the coexistence of institutional household waste streams, supported by a development project, and informal organic matter streams, identified through intra- and peri-urban agricultural practices. These streams are subject to various socio-territorial, political, and economic tensions.
Governance failureOrganic cycleCompostPolicyEconomicsCommunityOPTIMIZATION OF LIMITED HOME YARD SPACE AND UTILIZATIONOF HOUSEHOLD ORGANIC WASTE INTO ECOENZYME TO REDUCE CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY IN THE HOUSEHOLD ENVIRONMENT
2025Novi Mailidarni Novi, Othman Sulaiman, Juliawati, Ahmad Jauhari, Tasliati Djafar, Syarifuddin Syarifuddin · WISDOM Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Wisdom · Global
This community service program addresses limited yard space and chemical dependency in urban households by empowering residents, particularly women and youth, to practice sustainable urban farming and convert organic waste into ecoenzyme. The program provides education and training on ecoenzyme production and its use as fertilizer, pesticide, and cleaning solution, aiming to reduce chemical usage, minimize waste, and foster environmental awareness.
DIYCompostOrganic cycleFood educationCommunityHORTAS DOMÉSTICAS: BENEFÍCIOS, DESAFIOS E MOTIVAÇÃO NO CULTIVO URBANO EM DOM PEDRITO/RS
2025Lucas Velasques, Janaína Wohlenberg, Osmar Manoel Nunes, D. Friedrich, Norton Víctor Sampaio · Revista Científica Agropampa · Brazil (Dom Pedrito/RS)
This field study, involving 20 residents of Dom Pedrito/RS, Brazil, who practice home gardening, aimed to identify motivational factors, difficulties, and benefits. The main difficulties reported were the time required for cultivation and the presence of pests and insects. While benefits included consuming healthy food, health improvements, and supermarket savings, the significant challenges of time commitment and pest management indicate limitations to the widespread positive impact of home gardening.
Limited or null effectDIYCommunityHealthOrganic cycleASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL FOR REUSING TREATED DOMESTIC WASTEWATER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE IN TAN UYEN CITY, BINH DUONG PROVINCE
2025An The Huynh, Ho Bich Lien, Đức Đạt Đức Nguyễn, Đào Minh Trung · Tạp chí Khoa học Đại học Công Thương. · Vietnam
A study in Tan Uyen City, Binh Duong Province, assessed the potential for reusing treated domestic wastewater for urban agriculture. Data from the city's wastewater treatment system showed high efficiency, with COD reduced by 94.49% and BOD5 by 97.1%. The treated water met QCVN 39:2011/BTNMT requirements and is suitable for irrigating landscape greenery, vegetables, or short-term industrial crops.
Organic cycleClimate changeHealthEffect of Organic Amendments in Sandy Soils on Increasing Tomato Yield at Rooftop Garden
2025Md. Habibullah Siddiki, Jakaria Chowdhury Onik, Mamunur Rashid, Md. Abubakar Siddik · Journal of Agroforestry and Environment · Global
This study examined the effects of different organic amendments on BRRI Hybrid Summer Tomato 4 grown in sandy soil on a rooftop. Treatments included sand with compost, coco peat, household ash, or rice husk. Compost (T1) was superior for plant height, fruit number, and yield, while household ash (T3) resulted in the highest plant tissue phosphorus and potassium. The findings suggest that organic materials like ash and compost can increase tomato yields in rooftop gardens and mitigate sandy soil limitations.
DIYCompostOrganic cycleIMAGE BRANDING STRATEGY OF TANDURIA ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE PRODUCTS
2025Dewah Hari Sayogo, Nur Magfirah Aestetika · Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy · Indonesia
This qualitative case study analyzed Tanduria's branding strategy for its organic fertilizer and pesticide products, focusing on brand strength, uniqueness, and favorability. Through direct observations and in-depth interviews with Tanduria’s founders, the study found that the Indonesian urban farming platform successfully promotes its brand by emphasizing ease of use and environmental sustainability, particularly targeting the Millennial generation for home-based planting. This strategy effectively strengthens Tanduria's image as a modern, eco-friendly brand aligned with urban lifestyles.
EconomicsDIYOrganic cycleSikkim's Organic Revolution: A Sustainable Agricultural Model for Rural and Urban Resilience
2025Supriya Chandrakant Gaikwad · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · India (Sikkim)
This paper synthesizes six studies to examine Sikkim's organic farming model, evaluating farmer perceptions, productivity, policy gaps, and urban innovations like rooftop farming. While organic farming in Sikkim boosted yields, lowered input expenses, and improved environmental conditions, marketing and scalability remain significant obstacles, and short-term transition costs and limited market infrastructure are economic constraints. Rooftop agriculture in Gangtok was identified as a valuable addition for urban food security.
Economic viabilityOrganic cyclePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceComposting behavior in Japan: an application of the theory of consumption values
2025Ana Catarina Morais, Akira Ishida · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Japan
This research investigated factors encouraging Japanese households to engage in composting, applying the theory of consumption values (TCV) and evaluating hypotheses using ordinal partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings indicate that household composting in Japan is influenced by social approval, behavior visibility, composting knowledge, convenience, interest in gardening/farming, and individual availability. Factors like emotions, gender, housing type, and household size did not significantly impact composting practice.
CompostOrganic cycleFood lossDIYPemberdayaan Masyarakat Melalui Urban Farming Hidroponik dan Eco-Enzyme untuk Ketahanan Pangan dan Pengelolaan Limbah di Kelurahan Bendan Ngisor, Kota Semarang
2025Apri Kuntariningsih, Andhy Supriyadi · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Riset Pendidikan · Indonesia (Semarang)
A community service program implemented in Bendan Ngisor Village, Semarang City, Indonesia, aimed to enhance food security, reduce organic waste, and create new economic opportunities through hydroponic urban farming and eco-enzyme utilization. The program demonstrated increased knowledge and skills among residents in waste management and food cultivation on limited land, supporting sustainable household economies. The integration of hydroponics and eco-enzymes proved to be an effective solution for urban food and environmental issues.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cyclePEMBERDAYAAN TERINTEGRASI BERMODAL LIMBAH DOMESTIK DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN TEKNOLOGI BIOKONVERSI BERBASIS SERANGGA LARVA BSF (MAGGOT) DI KWT SERUNI KELURAHAN BUNTUSU KECAMATAN TAMALANREA
2025Fatmawati Fatmawati, Muhlis, Muhtar Muhtar, Andi Munawar, Sappewali, Nurfaidah Samad, Maifa Diapati · Jurnal Dinamika Pengabdian (JDP) · Indonesia
This study addressed the challenge of continuous organic fertilizer supply for the 30-member Seruni Women's Farming Group (KWT) in Indonesia, which practices urban farming. It implemented domestic organic waste processing using BSF larvae (maggot) bioconversion technology to produce compost. The activity, conducted through lectures, discussions, and practical training, found strong local government support and high enthusiasm from KWT members and the community, successfully improving their understanding of waste processing for compost production.
CommunityOrganic cycleCompostSustainable Urban Farming: Effects of Organic Manure on Lettuce Growth and Soil Fertility
2025Salsabilla Dewi Satriani, Yulian Yulian, Nanik Setyowati, Supanjani Supanjani, Kartika Utami · Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research · Global
This experimental study evaluated the effects of chicken and goat manure (five application levels) on lettuce growth and yield under urban organic farming conditions. Goat manure significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced all growth and yield parameters compared with chicken manure, which had no significant effect due to its high C/N ratio and immature composition. Optimal performance was observed at 30–40 tons ha⁻¹ of goat manure, with 30 tons ha⁻¹ identified as the most efficient rate.
Organic cycleDIYVermicomposting: A Way Toward Sustainable Economy and Environment
2025Diksha Pathania, Indu Kumari, Neha Salaria, Suresh Kumar, Rajesh Kumar · Waste Management · Global
This chapter provides an overview of vermicomposting, a sustainable and eco-friendly waste management practice that uses earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. Vermicomposting has been gaining popularity as a way to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal and promote sustainable agriculture. This method is suitable for various applications, including urban agriculture, landscaping, and horticulture, and can offer both environmental and economic benefits.
CompostOrganic cycleEconomicsAGROEDUWISATA JAYAKARTA: INOVASI SOSIAL BERBASIS LINGKUNGAN DAN KEARIFAN BUDAYA LOKAL DALAM PROGRAM CSR PT ANTAM UBPP LOGAM MULIA
2025Ni Made Ayu Wina Wirjana Asak, Yuliani Yuliani, Farina Farina, Fahruri Yahya, Ela Puji Hariani · Learning Society Jurnal CSR Pendidikan dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat · Indonesia (Jakarta)
This study explored the social innovation model of the Agroeduwisata Jayakarta program implemented by PT ANTAM Tbk UBPP Logam Mulia to address urban problems in the Jatinegara Kaum area, such as ineffective waste management, shrinking agricultural land, unemployment, and underutilized religious tourism potential. Using a qualitative case study method, data was collected from interviews and internal reports. The findings indicate that the Agroeduwisata program provides benefits beyond environmental sustainability, also empowering local communities and preserving Jakarta's cultural heritage through organic and inorganic waste management, urban farming development, SMEs, and spiritual tourism.
CommunityFood educationOrganic cycle