Research & reports

Dewi Ratna Nurhayati, Efi Nikmatu Sholihah, Siti Aulida Fajri, Andini Desi Sawitri · Jurnal Masyarakat Madani Indonesia · Indonesia

A one-month community-service program in Gulon RT 01 RW 19, Kelurahan Jebres, Surakarta, Indonesia, addressed underused home-yard land and limited vegetable-cultivation knowledge by delivering outreach, hands-on training and mentoring to 15 participants in growing bird's-eye chili using simple growing media. Participation, understanding and skills in productive use of yard land increased; most participants applied the techniques independently and reported healthy plant growth with harvest potential, and the activity was reported to reduce household spending and raise awareness of food security.

Sri Widayanti, Mirza Andrian Syah, Nia Amalia · Nusantara Science and Technology Proceedings · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A study examines factors influencing the sustainability of Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) farming at Jago Karah Farm Community (JKF), one of the urban farming enterprises in Surabaya, Indonesia, which faces complex challenges including limited land and waste management issues, high feed costs and limited production capacity, members leaving the community, underused technology, and institutional aspects needing strengthening. Conducted in February-March 2025 using a saturated sample of all 30 farmer members of JKF, data were collected through field observations and questionnaire-based interviews and analyzed with multiple linear regression in SPSS. Results show that ecological, economic, social, technological and institutional factors simultaneously had a positive and significant effect on farm sustainability, with an explanatory contribution of 99.7%. Partially, the social factor had the greatest influence, followed by technology, institutions, economy and ecology.

Wiwin Yuliani, Novia Indah Lestari, Bayu Mahendra, Putri Wening Ratrinia, Lisa Astria Milasari · Abdibaraya Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

A community service program in a residential area of Tasikmalaya, Indonesia, addressed accumulating household organic waste by training residents to convert kitchen waste into liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) at home. Thirty participants, housewives and environmental cadres, took part in situation analysis, socialization on the economic value of waste, technical training in LOF production, and assisted fermentation using an EM4 bioactivator, with knowledge and skills measured before and after. Participants' knowledge rose from 35% to 95%, technical skill from 10% to 85%, and awareness of waste's economic value from 20% to 90%, and participants reported being able to produce LOF independently to support small-scale urban farming on limited land.

Sonia, Malti, Lavi Sharma · Journal of Science Innovations and Nature of Earth · India

A bird community survey around the town border and surrounding agricultural land of Baraut, Baghpat District, western Uttar Pradesh, India, used point-count arrays and random line transects across four habitat types: agricultural, woodland/orchard, urban and wetland. After filtering out domesticated livestock and urban feral populations from 21 field surveys, the study identified 16 "true wild" bird species spanning 10 orders and 15 families, with Passeriformes dominant at 43.75% (n=7) while the other nine orders each accounted for 6.25% (n=1) with no species shared across them. Foraging guild composition was 37.50% generalist omnivores (n=6), 26.25% carnivores (n=4), 18.75% insectivores (n=3), 12.50% frugivores (n=2) and 6.25% granivores (n=1). Habitat affinity was highest for agricultural farmland (37.50%, n=6), followed by woodland/orchard (25.00%, n=4), with urban and wetland tied at 18.75% (n=3) each. All species recorded are classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Herlyna Novasari Siahaan, Dilma’aarij Agustia, Chairia · Jurnal Abadimas Adi Buana · Indonesia

A community-service report on post-disaster recovery in Suka Damai village, Serdang Bedagai Regency, Indonesia, following repeated flooding that reduced agricultural production, household income and community health. Using a participatory approach combining a Climate Field School (SLI), bucket-based fish farming (budikdamber), urban farming and ecoprint training, the program evaluated 30 farmers from the Gapoktan Mekar farmer group with pre- and post-tests. Average scores rose from 58.6 to 78.9, a 34.6% increase, indicating improved knowledge and skills in climate-adaptive farm management. Budikdamber and urban farming were reported to improve household food security, while ecoprint training opened new environmentally friendly business opportunities for the local PKK (family welfare) group.

Muslik Muslik · RIGGS Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Business · Indonesia

A qualitative case study analyzing the role of local community police officers (Bhabinkamtibmas) in a food-security program in Magersari District, Mojokerto City, Indonesia, and the factors affecting its effectiveness. Citing land-use conversion, high market dependence and low resident participation in productive activities like urban farming as challenges to urban food security, the study collected data through in-depth interviews with 25 informants (officers, ward staff, community figures, farmer groups and related agencies), participatory observation of patrol ("sambang") and FKPM community-security-forum activities, and document review, analyzed using the Miles, Huberman and Saldana interactive model. Results show Magersari's community police performed four mutually reinforcing roles: preventive-social (early detection of food-related conflict), partnership facilitation (mediating access to seeds and fertilizer), motivator/social-change agent (humanistic approach), and security/stabilization (monitoring distribution). Obstacles included structural factors (role conflict from dual demands and limited personnel), socio-cultural factors (low urban resident enthusiasm) and economic pressure from daily livelihoods, addressed through participatory dialogue-based patrols, optimizing FKPM, collaboration with community leaders and the PKK women's group, and use of social media (WhatsApp, Instagram). The study concludes the officers' role has shown concrete contributions but requires stronger institutional support and structured cross-sector coordination.

K. C. Sahu · International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science · India

A study in Bhubaneswar, India — chosen because many farmers there grow vegetables on rooftops — analyzed the cost-benefit ratio of rooftop vegetable cultivation using compost, vermicompost, coco peat and organic fertilizers, combining experimental and survey methods. Its stated aim was to assess the economic benefits of rooftop vegetable growing for urban residents; the abstract gives no specific cost-benefit figures, stating only that urban residents can obtain fresh organic vegetables at marginal expense and that rising profit is said to increase the perception of rooftop farming among urban people.

Mellania Rima Fajaryah, Hafid Aditya Pradesa, Teni Listiani, Edah Jubaedah · Academia Open · Indonesia (Bandung)

A study of agricultural extension workers in Bandung's "Buruan SAE" urban farming program, Indonesia, examining how competencies align with role demands across job levels. It found consistent gaps where competency achievement fell below importance ratings, particularly in agribusiness management, agro-processing, commercialization, institutional development and technology facilitation, while communication and leadership competencies remained comparatively strong. The gaps grew more complex at higher job levels. Importance-Performance Analysis was used to prioritize competencies, and the study proposes a competency-development framework based on a 70:20:10 learning model.

Aprilia Martika, Amelia Sari, Disti Macela Putri, Misbahul Munir · International Journal of Economics and Management Research · Indonesia (Pangkalpinang)

A qualitative case study of Pangkalpinang City, Bangka Belitung, Indonesia, examining urban farming as an adaptive strategy addressing food insecurity and unemployment in an urban area with limited agricultural land. Data were gathered through participatory observation, in-depth interviews and documentation, and analyzed thematically and via SWOT analysis. In Parit Lalang, urban farming was found predominantly on small home gardens and vacant lots using hydroponic and traditional methods, with participants mainly productive-age residents and housewives. The practice increased household food availability, reduced living costs and generated additional income, improving local economic resilience, but the study also reports persistent challenges of limited technical skills, financial constraints and inconsistent government support. It concludes that strengthening training programs, improving financial access and developing subdistrict pilot projects are needed to sustain urban farming as a food-security and community-empowerment strategy.

Hyun-Kyung Kang, Byungsook Choi · Korean Journal of Human Ecology · South Korea

This study analyzed remodeling characteristics, physical conditions and operational models across 22 housing complexes in seven countries to propose directions for enhancing communal facilities in South Korean public rental housing. International examples emphasized creating spaces for social integration, establishing community-linked welfare hubs, and developing tailored functions for specific groups such as youth and the elderly. In physical configuration, well-being-related spaces such as walking trails and community gardens were the most frequent, appearing in 67 cases, indicating strong demand for health and quality-of-life improvements. Operational programs were found to support individual health and culture activities, family care, and resident-led community initiatives, often under a partially fee-based system with limited public access. The study concluded that improving domestic communal facilities requires incorporating multi-purpose flexible spaces at the initial planning stage, converting ground-floor areas into accessible community hubs, activating underused spaces such as rooftops and corridors, and specializing welfare functions through integrated elderly healthcare and communal childcare facilities.

Budi Hartono, Axel Giovanni, Muchammad Khusni Wafa, Mu'alfad Zulfikar Purwanto, Mirna Harsono · COMMUNITY Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

This is a community engagement program, not an outcomes study, aimed at micro-enterprises in food security and urban farming in Indonesia that face limited business management capacity, scarce resources, and insufficient technical knowledge. Partnering with Fita Farm for its expertise in integrated agriculture, the program delivers training, hands-on mentoring, and continuous evaluation toward goals of improved business management, increased income, and greater resilience, but the abstract does not report achieved results.

Asri Jum’atul Aziza, Nanik Setyowati, Yulian Yulian, Widodo Widodo, Wuri Prameswari · Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research · Indonesia

This two-factor (variety × growing-medium composition) completely randomized experiment, conducted in the Agronomy Laboratory Greenhouse at the University of Bengkulu, Indonesia, tested how cocopeat-to-rice-husk-biochar ratios affect nitrogen uptake, growth, yield, and flavonoid content of mint (Mentha spp.) grown in a drip-irrigated substrate hydroponic system. Three varieties (Spearmint, Chocolate Mint, Apple Mint) were tested against four medium compositions (80% cocopeat + 20% biochar through 20% cocopeat + 80% biochar), analyzed by ANOVA (5% significance) and LSD test. Variety and medium composition interacted significantly on growth parameters: Apple Mint showed the greatest stem diameter at 60% cocopeat + 40% biochar, the highest dry weight and nitrogen uptake at 20% cocopeat + 80% biochar, and the highest flavonoid content at 40% cocopeat + 60% biochar, while Chocolate Mint produced the highest fresh and dry root weights at 80% cocopeat + 20% biochar, showing that response to substrate composition depends on variety.

Beni Hasibuan · Crop Life · Indonesia

This study evaluated the effects of bamboo biochar application and varying concentrations of bamboo vinegar on the growth, sensory quality, and iron (Fe) content of red spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L.) microgreens. Using cocopeat as the growing medium, a 2×6 factorial completely randomized experiment combined biochar presence/absence with bamboo vinegar concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 ppm. No significant interaction between biochar and bamboo vinegar was detected. Biochar application significantly improved overall growth and sensory attributes compared with no biochar. Bamboo vinegar significantly affected plant height and fresh biomass, with the highest responses at 200-800 ppm for height and 800 ppm for fresh weight. Iron content ranged from 202.09 to 481.66 ppm on a fresh-weight basis, and the study notes this water-content-dependent measure limits direct comparison with studies reporting dry-weight values.

Galang Aulia Prasetya, Agus Yadi Ismail, Nurdin · Journal of Forestry And Environment · Indonesia

This study evaluates bird diversity and conservation status in the Tundagan Village Forest, Indonesia, identified as an important avian habitat. Using an exploration method with identification based on a Mackinnon bird list, the study analyzed diversity, evenness, and dominance indices, plus a one-way ANOVA testing differences among three land-cover types. Overall diversity across natural forest, pine forest, and community garden land covers fell in the moderate category, with evenness close to even in natural and pine forests but uneven in community gardens. The dominant species were Psilopogon australis in natural forest, Cinnyris ornatus in pine forest, and Lonchura leucogastroides in community gardens. Community conservation efforts use a zoning strategy distinguishing a main "prohibited forest" from secondary "baladan forest" designated for economic use.

Dwinanda Ripta Ramadhan, Supartini, Susilaningtyas Budiana Kurniawati · PROFICIO · Indonesia

A community outreach program in Indonesia (PROFICIO, 2026) applied Participatory Action Research—assessment, intensive training, coaching, and periodic evaluation—to help urban farming groups shift from consumers to micro-scale commercial producers through crop diversification, financial management, and digital marketing. Reported outcomes were skill gains in diversified cultivation, separation of household and business cash accounts, and creation of a digital brand on social media and local marketplaces; the program's expected increase in group revenue was stated as a goal, not a measured result.

Nia Amalia, Sri Widayanti, Mirza Andrian Syah · JURNAL ILMIAH PETERNAKAN TERPADU · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A feasibility study of the Balitbangtan superior free-range chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) farming business run by the Jago Karah Farm (JKF) urban farming community in Surabaya, Indonesia (2026), used qualitative descriptive analysis for market, technical, and environmental aspects and quantitative income analysis with the R/C Ratio for financial feasibility. JKF was found to have clear market segmentation and a functioning marketing mix; the operation remains micro-scale with only partial technology adoption; environmentally it was assessed as feasible, producing no unpleasant odors and managing waste properly; and financially it was profitable, with an average income of IDR 4,069,888 and an R/C Ratio of 1.7. The study notes JKF still faces limited technology, high feed costs, and a narrow marketing reach.

Chandni Singh, Sheetal Somashekar Patil, Swarnika Sharma · Environmental Research Climate · India

As urban heat increasingly affects liveability, labour productivity and human health, nature-based solutions such as green roofs, increased urban tree cover and dedicated park space have been proposed to adapt to rising urban heat, but the literature has paid relatively little attention to how smaller urban green spaces — fragmented urban greenery and rooftop home gardens — contribute to hyperlocal temperature regulation. This study examined whether rooftop home gardens in Bangalore, India, regulate indoor temperature and provide thermal comfort, drawing on perception-based data from household surveys and in-depth interviews alongside modelled scenario data covering different types of rooftop home gardens. People generally perceived thermal comfort in rooms directly below rooftop farms/gardens, and reported air-conditioner use declined after starting rooftop gardening. Modelling across seven scenarios, from no green cover to complete (100%) soil-bed cover, showed heat reduction benefits ranging from 1.5°C to 14°C depending on foliage type, density and extent of green cover; because most rooftops serve multiple purposes, the study identifies a more realistic temperature reduction of 1.5°C to 3°C, corresponding to a scenario with 50% of the roof covered in dense foliage.

Syauqi Az Zahra, Erwan Efendi · Ganaya Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora · Indonesia

In Martebing Village, Serdang Bedagai Regency, Indonesia, a qualitative descriptive study using field observation, in-depth interviews with community administrators and members, and activity documentation examined how management of the Nurul Huda women's empowerment community, organized through a da'wah (Islamic outreach) management approach, contributes to family food security. The community was found to carry out functional management — activity planning, role organization, program implementation and collective evaluation — integrated with da'wah values, realized in practice through urban farming and yard-land utilization as part of family food security management. Women's active involvement throughout this process was said to encourage the independence and sustainability of family food security, positioning the integration of da'wah management and women's empowerment as a potential model for community-based empowerment in rural areas.

Alfiya Rokhmah, Ririn Mulyani, Muhammad Yusuf Hamdhani, Doni Doni · Jurnal Keteknikan Pertanian · Indonesia

At Universitas Sains Indonesia in Cibitung subdistrict, Bekasi Regency, Indonesia, researchers designed an urban farming layout to increase green open space on limited campus land. Using a mixed-method approach combining site analysis, field observation, facility-relationship analysis and economic feasibility estimation, the proposed design combines an aquaponic system (a 1,000-liter fish tank linked to hydroponic pipes with 120 planting holes), a vertical farming system adding 60 planting holes, and a green-learning park. The initial investment was estimated at approximately Rp 12,270,000 with relatively low operating costs, and the system was projected to yield 37-45 kg of vegetables per month and 30-40 kg of fish per production cycle.

Mohssen Elbagory, Hassan M. El-Zahaby, EL-Shafeey E. I. EL-Shafeey, Nagwa EL-Khateeb, Alaa El-Dein Omara, Sahar El-Nahrawy, Amal Zayed, Pankaj Kumar, Jogendra Singh · Scientific Reports · India

A field-based comparative study in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, compared soil properties, the growth response of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern.), and tissue accumulation of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc under irrigation with paper mill effluent (PME) versus borewell water as a control. PME irrigation significantly raised soil pH (8.79), electrical conductivity (4.73 dS/cm), organic matter (3.94%) and all six heavy metals (p<0.001); vegetative growth increased, but heavy metal accumulation was pronounced in roots, with bioaccumulation factors for iron and manganese exceeding the hyperaccumulation threshold and root enrichment factors reaching 226.50 for copper and 40.51 for chromium. Dietary risk modeling found that the health risk index from chromium in leaves exceeded the safety threshold in children (HRI=1.05) and approached risk levels for cadmium and chromium in adults, whereas the borewell-irrigated control soil remained within safe agricultural ranges, marking a clear contrast with the contaminated PME-irrigated soil.

D Darto, Nunung Cipta Dainy, Helfi Gustia, Raisa Ardiyanti, Farah Aurellia Sasikirana, Niken Wulandari Dyrin, Graiseld Raissa Erwanto · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community outreach activity carried out in August-September 2025 with the Hidroponik Generik farming group in Pesanggrahan, Jakarta, Indonesia, introduced an IoT-integrated solar power system and accompanying equipment, training and mentoring to reduce the electricity costs of a hydroponic system. An 800 Wp solar panel generating 1,400 Wh per day was confirmed able to power a rack-based hydroponic system with 1,000 planting holes, IoT monitoring let partners track water quality via smartphone, and the program reported cutting electricity operating costs by 30%.

Tianqi Su, Yongmei · Agriculture · China

Based on multitemporal remote-sensing data from 1985 to 2015, this study examined the evolution of urban-agricultural-ecological spatial structure and water-heat-vegetation responses driven by large-scale irrigation and drainage projects in the Inner Mongolia Hetao Plain, an arid/semi-arid region of China. It built a "multifunctionality-dynamic evolution" dual-principle classification system, combining maximum-likelihood classification of individual land types with conflict-pixel-resolution merging to achieve 90.82% classification accuracy, and used a land-use transfer matrix, a standard deviation ellipse model, land surface temperature (LST) inversion, and vegetation fractional coverage (VFC) analysis. The results showed: (1) spatial structure followed a path of short-term intense disturbance followed by long-term stable optimization, with agricultural space stability increasing 4.8%, ecological core area retention exceeding 90%, and urban space expansion shifting from external encroachment to internal filling; (2) VFC increased steadily in the central area (0.8% annual growth), fluctuated with recovery in the eastern area (±12% cyclic amplitude), and improved locally in the western area (key patches up 18%); (3) the LST-VFC relationship showed spatiotemporal misalignment, with 0.8-1.2°C anomalous cooling in the central region during construction despite a 15% VFC decrease, driven by irrigation water's thermal inertia, and a disrupted linear correlation after completion due to changes in crop phenology and plastic film mulching; and (4) the irrigation and drainage projects optimized water resource allocation, constructing a hub regulation model integrated with the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus.

Flora Elvistia Firdaus, M. Dachyar · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science · Asia

This study examined food self-sufficiency in limited spaces as a survival strategy among Indonesian migrant communities in Malaysia, through a community-based educational program teaching container gardening, vertical planting and cultivation using recycled materials, targeted at migrant households and particularly women engaged in informal economic activities, delivered through demonstration, participatory discussion and knowledge exchange. Participants responded positively, viewing food self-sufficiency as a feasible strategy for household resilience and small-space cultivation as a practical way to reduce food expenses and improve access to fresh food, with the program highlighting the importance of culturally relevant practices and community-based learning for adoption.

Pungky Slamet Wisnu Kusuma, Dyah Hariani, Vivin Andriani, Dicky Surya Putra Pradana Andriani · Jurnal Abadimas Adi Buana · Indonesia

Describes a community-service (PKM) activity centered on an NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) aquaponics system, framed as an urban-farming innovation supporting sustainable urban food security. The activity aimed to analyze the NFT aquaponic system's efficiency and to increase student and public understanding of it through a national webinar. It reports that the NFT system reduced water use by 80-90% compared with conventional systems through closed-loop recirculation, and that integrating catfish (Clarias sp.), water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) and nitrifying bacteria created a productive system supporting a zero-waste concept. Webinar evaluation showed participant understanding rising by 26 percentage points, from 62% to 88% after the session, with participants reported to show high interest in smart-farming aquaponics applications.

Dina Oktavia, Yuni Amelia, Fitri Ammara Azhar, Radha Alizha, Widya Natasya, Nayla Putri Abdullah · Warta Dharmawangsa · Indonesia

Using descriptive qualitative methods combining literature review, observation, and interviews with urban farmers, mainly in Medan, Indonesia, and other major cities, this study analyzed urban farming business opportunities built on organic waste management as a form of green entrepreneurship. Converting organic waste into compost was found to reduce production costs, increase soil fertility, and support a circular economy, making urban farming a potentially profitable and environmentally friendly business opportunity. Young people play a strategic role in this development through innovation, digital technology use, and strengthening community networks, but limited knowledge, capital, and policy support remain ongoing challenges.