Research & reports

E. Ramanujam, S. Padmavathi, Nashwa Ahmad Kamal · International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development · India

Rooftop farming is gaining popularity for growing organic vegetables with minimal water use, but is highly vulnerable to pest infestation, and urban residents new to farming often fail to notice pest attacks. Noting that existing image-processing and machine-learning pest identification systems are typically disease-specific with low generalization accuracy and poor usability, this paper proposes a mobile-based pest identification system built on a pretrained convolutional neural network model (AlexNet). Various rooftop pests were evaluated experimentally using different kernel sizes and layer configurations, and the best-performing pretrained model was converted into a mobile application via a REST API to provide pesticide recommendations to novice users.

Dedi Sudarmaji, Ruswadi Muchtar, Ayu Vandira Candra Kusumah · Jurnal Ilmiah Respati · Indonesia

This study investigated the response of pakcoy plants to liquid supplementary fertilizer in a vertical culture system. Using a Randomized Block Design with six treatments and three replications, researchers observed variables such as leaf count, leaf width, plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight. The results showed that treatment P4, with a liquid supplementary fertilizer concentration of 2.5cc/liter of water, yielded the best plant height, leaf width, leaf count, fresh weight, and dry weight for pakcoy plants.

Nana Sutrisna · · Indonesia

This paper discusses urban agricultural development as a strategy for food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. It suggests that innovative urban agriculture, including vertical gardens, hydroponics, and vertiminaponics, can support food availability, access, and utilization across various scales. Small to medium-scale urban agriculture can supply local markets, while larger scales can meet national or global needs, reducing reliance on long food value chains.

Hilyah Magdalena, Hadi Santoso · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Indonesia (Pangkalpinang)

A Decision Support System (DSS) for urban farming using hydroponics was developed in Pangkalpinang City, Indonesia, utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. This research considered factors such as limited urban land, suitable vegetable choices, soil conditions, fertilizers used, pest disturbances, and community interest in hydroponic vegetables. Combined assessment results from expert respondents indicated that the superiority of hydroponics was the highest supporting criterion at 19.9%, and white mustard was the most preferred vegetable at 36.4%.

Setiadi Setiadi · Jurnal Humaniora · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This case study examines Joglo Tani in Yogyakarta, an organization promoting new agricultural technology and urban farming for local food security. The research, using participatory observation and interviews, found that Joglo Tani's success stems from social entrepreneurship in its leadership and effective networks, which have driven social transformation in rural resource management and agricultural work organization. The study concludes that this bottom-up movement has successfully addressed food supply limitations and fostered sustainable food systems.

Yan Mitha Djaksana, Heru Sukoco, Sri Wahjuni, Hendra Rahmawan, Shelvie Nidya Neyman · Petir · Indonesia

A 2020 paper from Indonesia proposes a "smart water management system" framework using IoT sensors and machine-learning algorithms to manage available water resources in support of urban farming, addressing water scarcity in densely populated urban areas. The framework is designed around reusing treated water and filtered rainwater that meets minimum quality requirements for agricultural reuse; no implementation or evaluation results are presented.

Thesar Gufont Agrinusa, Arief Kurniawan, Ahmad Zaini · Jurnal Teknik ITS · Indonesia

With farmland shrinking as population growth accelerates in Indonesia's large cities, this study (2020, Indonesia) applies urban farming, specifically indoor cultivation methods, as a countermeasure, addressing the previous inability to monitor and control indoor growing-space environmental conditions objectively and in real time. It implemented an Internet of Things (IoT) and Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) system using XBee Series 1 communication modules to monitor and control environmental conditions within the growing space, and reports successfully implementing IoT/WSN-based monitoring and control of urban farming that lets the space's owner monitor it directly in real time.

Annisa Nur Ichniarsyah, Heny Agustin, Maulidian Maulidian · Jurdimas (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat) Royal · Indonesia (Bekasi)

The Asofa Foundation conducted hydroponic training for the community in Bekasi, Indonesia, covering seeding, transplanting, and mixing hydroponic fertilizers. Participants learned to cultivate plants using hydroponics, but seedlings died after transplanting due to poor local water conditions. The study suggests further training in fruit hydroponics or other cultivation methods suitable for the environmental conditions.

오익근, 서정아, 장승옥 · 한국지역개발학회지 · South Korea

A focus group interview with young urban farmers in Daegu, South Korea, explored job creation through urban farming. Participants perceived farming as physically demanding and unrewarding, despite seeing urban farming as a promising industry for job creation. They also noted a lack of national support policies and difficulties in participation. A contradiction was identified between the young farmers' desire to adopt labor-saving new technologies and the goal of creating jobs through traditional farming.

Chabib Musthofa, Muhammad Andik Izzuddin · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Indonesia

This study developed a hydroponic plant business model using information-based appropriate technology for urban agricultural UMKM communities in SERPIS KRPL, Wonocolo, Surabaya, Indonesia. Employing the ADDIE method, the research quantitatively measured the effectiveness, efficiency, and attractiveness of the developed products. Validation tests showed high scores: content expert validation at 81.29%, media and design expert validation at 96.43%, and individual trials at 81.67%. The developed website and social media successfully met the communication needs of the UMKM KRPL SERPIS community and diverse online users for their business processes.

Siti Aisyah Salim, Zawiyah Mohammad Yusof, Laili Farhana Md Ibharim, Siti Hajar · Scientific Repository (Petra Christian University) · Southeast Asia

This study conducts a structured literature review on urban farming activities in Southeast Asia, presenting its taxonomy and future research directions. Analyzing 88 articles from ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus, it focused on urban farming activities, technology applications, and smallholder farming. The review identified benefits of urban farming in Southeast Asia, challenges hindering its utilization, and recommendations to improve the acceptance and use of urban farming applications.

M.Si. Indra, Fitriani Fitriani, Handayani Sri · · Indonesia (Bandar Lampung)

This study outlines the plan for PT ABC, a hydroponic urban farm in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, to develop an "education farming" initiative. The objectives were to describe the business process, identify necessary resources, and design the activities for this educational program, which aims to teach the community about utilizing limited urban land for agriculture. The proposed plan includes defining activity stages, identifying resources such as inventory, promotion, and infrastructure, and structuring activity packages and production processes.

Siti Aisyah Salim, Zawiyah Mohammad Yusof, Laili Farhana Md Ibharim, Siti Hajar Salim · Journal of Building Performance · Southeast Asia

This structured literature review examines urban farming activities, technology applications, and smallholder farming in Southeast Asia, where urban farming is limited and dispersed. The study selected 88 articles from ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus to provide a taxonomy and future research directions. It identifies the benefits, challenges, and recommendations for improving the acceptance and use of urban farming applications in the region.

Amanda C. J. Vincent, Saravanan Raj, B Suchiradipta · · India

A study in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, India, examining information sources used by urban farming practitioners and the impact of urban farming on the cityscape. Online content and virtual knowledge were found to be the most important sources of agricultural knowledge, with practitioners using ICT services such as Facebook groups, online agri stores, and WhatsApp groups; neighbors with similar interests were also a major source of crop production knowledge. The study further found that urban farming was capable of recycling waste, restoring the urban ecosystem, and stabilizing the health of both residents and the cityscape.

Masito Masito, Irawan Setyabudi, Rizki Alfian · Fakultas Pertanian · Indonesia

A qualitative study sampling 20 houses in the Lowokwaru sub-district of Malang, Indonesia, examining vertical-garden facade designs that apply verticulture and urban farming concepts to narrow housing plots. It produced design applications using wall-mounted, hanging, fence-mounted and shelf verticulture along with hydroponics and aquaponics for home front yards, intended to address the loss of garden space to other uses.

R. Deiny Mardian, Suhartati Agoes, Erby Virta Joseph Paays, Abi Falaki, Nur Hudantomo · · Indonesia

For urban residents growing plants as a hobby, an automated irrigation system was developed that activates a water pump based on soil moisture readings and refills a water tank automatically when its level drops to a minimum threshold, monitored and controlled remotely via a dedicated Android smartphone application. The application's performance was evaluated by measuring its response time over a 4G cellular network, which ranged from approximately 4 to 9 seconds.

Wiwandari Handayani, Prihadi Nugroho, Dini Oktaviani Hapsari · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Indonesia (Semarang)

This study used descriptive and spatial analyses with secondary and primary data to assess the potential and co-benefits of urban farming in Semarang City, Indonesia. It identified two types of urban farming: conventional approaches in the city outskirts and hydroponic or limited-space methods in the city center. The study found various potentials, including vegetables, cassava, sugarcane, durian, and mushrooms, and noted co-benefits across environmental, economic, social, health, education, and tourism aspects.

B. Lee, Seong-Woo Nam, Young-Hyeon Kim · Journal of the Urban Design Institute of Korea Urban Design · South Korea

This study aimed to establish concepts for introducing smart city facilities in existing urban areas and systematic maintenance plans for smartifying existing urban facilities in Gamcheon2-Dong, Busan, South Korea. Based on field surveys and resident demand surveys, it proposed smartification and networking of facilities connecting public spaces, and smartification of public/welfare facilities and resident-led projects like urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and promote profitable ventures. Legal improvements were also suggested, including exceptions to area regulations and modularization of smart city facilities, to facilitate their integration with urban regeneration projects.

Vika Adriati Praditriyani · Visualita Jurnal Online Desain Komunikasi Visual · Indonesia (Bandung)

This research designed and tested a mobile application to support urban agriculture activities in Bandung, Indonesia. Targeting community members aged 18-30 with environmental interests, the app provided content on urban agriculture concepts, utilizing narrow land for productive green spaces, and plant care information. Testing showed that most users found a flexible digital medium helpful and necessary for maximizing urban agriculture activities in the city.

Doni Kurniawan, Y Yaddarabullah, Galih Suprayitno · Proceeding of The URECOL · Indonesia

This study implemented an IoT-based drip irrigation system for urban farming. Trial results showed that the system saved 40% of water used for plant irrigation by automatically dispensing the necessary amount. It also allowed real-time monitoring and control of plants via smartphone.

김정식, 한미영 · · South Korea

This study examined the suitability of urban agriculture expert training programs in South Korea, surveying students in Daejeon in 2018. Over 60% of students viewed experts as knowledge transmitters, with most motivated by qualification acquisition. While major city programs focused on basic cultivation, the study concluded that current curricula are insufficient for future urban agriculture trends. It recommended adding programs on urban community understanding, industrialization, cooperative agriculture, and farm management.

Sunil Goria, Sanjay K. Bihani, K. L. Mahawar · · India

This paper discusses the current status of rural and urban agriculture in India, along with the Indian agriculture extension system and its activities. It explores the use of various digital media, including social media and web/app-based services, advocating for the development of urban agriculture in India through digital media and empowering farmer communities to achieve SDGs.

Zhenshan Yang, Pu Hao, Weidong Liu, Jianming Cai · Habitat International · China (Beijing)

A study in peri-urban Beijing, China, investigated recent agricultural development practices to explore approaches to agricultural transformation during rapid urbanization. The investigation found that high-tech precision agriculture, downstream processing, and agro-tourism have emerged as major forms of peri-urban agriculture in Beijing. These peri-urban agricultural developments were identified as economically appealing, socially inclusive, and environmentally friendly.

刘颂, 潘鸿婷 · 中国城市林业 · China

This review discusses the definition of urban agriculture landscapes, examines the significance and characteristics of creating them, and identifies the need to introduce new technologies into their construction. It summarizes the application of related techniques from three perspectives — habitat construction, vertical (stereoscopic) agriculture, and artistic creation — as a reference for building urban agriculture landscapes that combine productivity, technical refinement, and landscape aesthetics.

徐正挺 · 合作经济与科技 · China

An article on agricultural innovation within Suzhou's national independent-innovation demonstration zone in Jiangsu province, China, presents Shanghai's modern urban agriculture as a leading example: Shanghai Guoxing Nong company's "Internet+Agriculture" approach uses a "five-ring linkage" business model that integrates agricultural production, technology and services with internet information technology to support the pre-production, production, post-production and sales stages. The article argues that Changshu, which already has a solid agricultural base, should draw on this model and the "Internet+" strategy to build platforms that raise agricultural quality and efficiency.