Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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845 results(6 / 34)
Optimalisasi Lahan Terbatas melalui Mini Garden Urban Farming sebagai Upaya Ketahanan Pangan di Kelurahan Kepatihan Wetan Kota Surakarta
2025Aviciena Nailil Muna, Rizkika Amalinda, Yohannes Rahadi Nugroho, Fauzan Octa Baihaqi, Fina Rizqiyah, Deshinta Putri Anggraeny, Anindita Wasistiyana Hartono, Ardy Tri Handika Saputra, Ath Thaariq Rizqy Amrullah, Audry Boy Zhindy, Mikael Dimas Mahardika, Singgih Hendarto · Inovasi Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Surakarta)
A community service activity was implemented in Kelurahan Kepatihan Wetan, Surakarta City, Indonesia, to optimize limited land through a mini garden urban farming system. The activity successfully planted various vegetables in 100 polybags, achieving over 90% growth success. It resulted in increased knowledge and skills among residents in utilizing limited land and boosted community participation in urban agriculture, positively impacting household food self-sufficiency and family consumption cost savings.
DIYFood educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Farming-Based Learning: A Community Engagement Model for Agricultural Vocational Schools
2025Ika Ayu Putri Septyani, Lutfi Fadilah Zamzami, Novi Fitriandika Sari · SPEKTA (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Teknologi dan Aplikasi) · Indonesia
An urban farming-based community engagement program was implemented for students at the Vocational School of Agriculture Labuhanbatu (SMK Negeri 2 Rantauprapat) in Indonesia. This participatory action research aimed to improve students' knowledge and practical skills in aquaponics, hydroponics, and integrated urban farming systems. Through training and collaborative activities, students' knowledge levels surged from pre-test benchmarks to over 70%, exceeding 90% in some areas, and over 80% expressed strong interest in curriculum integration and entrepreneurship.
Food educationCommunityDIY“Greening the Cities of Tomorrow: A case study on Rooftop Organic Farming - an Innovative Policy and Strategic Framework for Sustainable and Inclusive Organic Supply Chains”
2025Jyotsana Agarwala · · India
This case study examines the potential of rooftop organic farming and novel supply chain tactics in Badlapur, Maharashtra, India. It evaluates a rooftop organic farming initiative, assessing elements like input procurement, farming methods, logistics, and technological innovations. Research indicates that decentralized food production, such as rooftop gardening, diminishes reliance on rural agriculture, lowers carbon emissions, and improves urban food sovereignty. The study also identifies obstacles including scalability, standardization, legal impediments, and insufficient customer awareness.
DIYPolicyEconomicsClimate changeDemystifying the integration of hydroponics cultivation system reinforcing bioeconomy and sustainable agricultural growth
2025Anwesha Chatterjee, Proma Ghosh, Bastian Winkler, V Vijayaragavan, Sanjit Debnath, Jedrzej Cichocki, Marielle Trenkner, Bilitis Vanicela, Christoph Riethmueller, Monte Walz, Suhrid Chandra, Harshata Pal · Scientia Horticulturae · Global
This in-depth review explores the integration of hydroponics cultivation systems, reinforcing bioeconomy and sustainable agricultural growth. Hydroponics is a promising urban farming approach due to its high resource-use and land-use efficiency, enabling year-round production of high-quality fresh foods with less water, nutrients, and pesticides compared to soil-based methods. Recent studies focus on optimizing hydroponics for biofortification in indoor cultivation and integrating municipal wastewater treatment for nutrient and water recovery.
DIYUrban–rural linkageClimate changePerformance of different potato varieties in grow bags: An urban farming approach
2025Vidushi Dhaliwal, Deven Verma, Durlabh Durlabh, B. Sharma, Yaman Kumar, Vishal Thakur, Kunal Soga · Journal of Applied Horticulture · India
This study evaluated the growth and yield parameters of different potato varieties grown in grow bags suitable for the North Indian Plains. Cultivated in grow bags with a soil, vermicompost, and cocopeat mixture (4:3:1), Kufri Chandramukhi yielded the highest (1037.50 g/bag) under Punjab conditions, followed by Diamond (908.26 g/bag). Kufri Chandramukhi successfully adapted to the constrained environment without pests or diseases, and the soil mixture helped increase tuber yield and decrease irrigation intervals.
DIYUrban–rural linkageFood educationEffectiveness of Facebook groups in enhancing the capacity of rooftop gardeners
2025Khondokar H. Kabir, Jannatul Ferdows, Saifur Rahman, Ataharul Chowdhury, Md. Asaduzzaman Sarker, S.M. Asik Ullah, Mohammed Nasir Uddin, Mohammad Maruf Hasan · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Bangladesh
An online survey of 120 rooftop gardeners in Bangladesh investigated the extent to which Facebook groups support information needs and enhance capacity. Findings indicate that information sharing in Facebook groups assists in planning, acquiring and utilizing resources, carrying out intercultural operations, and determining optimal harvesting and storage practices. Facebook can play a significant role in bridging the information gap among rooftop gardeners and enhancing their skills.
DIYCommunityFood educationDigital agricultureUrban agriculture in Baltimore, Maryland: Documenting current irrigation practices and rainwater harvesting
2024Abriana Segal, Niya Khanjar, Julie Yang, Kelsey Brooks, Marcus Williams, Neith Little, Andrew Lazar, Rachel E. Rosenberg Goldstein · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · United States (Baltimore)
This study surveyed urban farms and community gardens in Baltimore, Maryland, to document irrigation practices, water sources, and interest in rainwater harvesting. Most sites were concerned about water availability yet all had access to city water; 27% were already harvesting rainwater and 54% were interested, and the authors suggest rainwater harvesting, food safety, and education programs could increase safe use of this water source.
CommunityDIYFood educationGermany: Urban Farming as an Innovation and Application Environment of an Agile Start-Up Mindset
2024· Springer (book chapter) · Germany
A book chapter framing urban farming in Germany as an innovation and application environment for an agile start-up mindset, discussing entrepreneurial urban agriculture ventures.
EconomicsDIYOpen-Source Indoor Horizontal Grow Structure Designs
2024Qian J., Pearce J. M. · Designs · Global
Applies the distributed-manufacturing open-source design paradigm to develop four low-cost open-source grow-structure designs targeting root vegetables and bush fruit. The designs are intended for adoption by remote communities with limited or no outdoor growing environment.
DIYCommunityResidential Rooftop Urban Agriculture: Architectural Design Recommendations
2024· Sustainability · Global
Provides architectural design recommendations for residential rooftop urban agriculture. It addresses integrating low-cost growing infrastructure such as container gardens, raised beds, and vertical gardens onto rooftops.
DIYPolicyEnhancing food security through keyhole gardening in Lesotho
2024· Journal of Development Effectiveness · Lesotho
Examines enhancing food security through keyhole gardening, a circular raised-bed structure with a central compost basket. This self-built growing structure was developed by humanitarian organizations to promote household food production in drought-prone settings.
DIYCommunityWelfareMunicipal Solid Waste Management in a Decentralized Composting Scenario: Assessment of the Process Reproducibility and Quality of the Obtained Composts
2024· Agronomy · Global
Assesses the reproducibility of the composting process and the quality of composts obtained under a decentralized municipal solid waste composting scenario.
DIYCompostCommunitySelection and evaluation of optimal medium for Eisenia fetida in sustainable waste recycling
2024· Discover Animals · Global
Selects and evaluates the optimal medium for the earthworm Eisenia fetida in sustainable waste recycling.
DIYCompostUrban small-scale hydroponics: A compact, smart home-based hydroponics system
2024Kushawaha A. · MethodsX · India
A compact, smart home-based hydroponics system is proposed that uses IoT technology to precisely monitor and automate environmental conditions and nutrient delivery.
DIYIntegration of IoT in Small-Scale Aquaponics to Enhance Efficiency and Profitability: A Systematic Review
2024· Animals · Global
A systematic review arguing that integrating IoT into small-scale aquaponics enhances efficiency and profitability by optimizing resource use and monitoring water quality.
DIYEconomicsA low-cost spectroscopic nutrient management system for Microscale Smart Hydroponic system
2024Stevens J.D., Murray D., Diepeveen D., Toohey D. · PLOS ONE · Australia
A novel inexpensive nutrient management system is presented that uses a waterproofed low-cost IoT spectroscopy sensor (AS7265x) submerged in the solution to predict nutrients and recommend adjustment amounts.
DIYCan Aquaponics Be Utilized to Reach Zero Hunger at a Local Level?
2024Flores-Aguilar P.S., Sánchez-Velázquez J., Aguirre-Becerra H., Peña-Herrejón G.A., Zamora-Castro S.A., Soto-Zarazúa G.M. · Sustainability · Mexico
The paper examines, in light of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), how aquaponics can contribute to food security through the production of high-quality protein and decentralized local production.
DIYCommunityPolicyUsing Recycled Construction Waste Materials with Varying Components and Particle Sizes for Extensive Green Roof Substrates: Assessment of Its Effects on Vegetation Development
2024· Sustainability · Global
Evaluates crushed brick and crushed concrete of varying particle sizes as extensive green roof substrates through simulated drought and rooftop experiments, turning low-value construction waste into a growing resource.
DIYOrganic cycleGreen Roof Systems within the Framework of a Circular Economy: A Scoping Review
2024· Recycling · Global
A scoping review of 68 open-access articles from 24 countries (2012–2022) mapping the reuse and recycling of alternative materials in green roof structures within a circular economy framework.
DIYOrganic cycleAssessment of Low-Cost and Higher-End Soil Moisture Sensors across Various Moisture Ranges and Soil Textures
2024· Sensors · Global
Compares the accuracy of low-cost versus higher-end soil moisture sensors across various moisture ranges and soil textures, showing that adding an ADS1115 converter improves the error of low-cost sensors.
DIYEconomicsUrban food waste for soil amendment? Analysis of waste-based compost for urban agriculture in Rosario, Argentina
2024· Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · South America
Study examining the use of urban food waste compost in urban agriculture in Rosario, Argentina. Analyzes waste-to-resource conversion and organic cycling potential.
Organic cycleFood lossCompostDIYOpportunities and challenges for strawberry cultivation in urban food production systems
2024Aikaterini Kouloumprouka Zacharaki, James Monaghan, Jennifer R. Bromley, Laura H. Vickers · Plants People Planet · Global
This review identifies challenges for strawberry cultivation in urban production systems, noting that new urban farmers often lack the specialist knowledge of commercial growers. Common bottlenecks include plant physiology, pathogen management, choice of propagation material, fertigation, pollination, and environmental requirements. This knowledge gap appears to result in the abandonment of strawberries as a crop of choice in urban systems.
Economic viabilityDIYEconomicsFood educationClimate changeGrowth Characteristics and Quality of Cherry Tomatoes Planted with Nasturtiums, as a Companion Plant, in Building-Integrated Urban Agriculture
2024Sun Yeong Lee, H. S. Lee, Yong-Han Yoon, Jin-Hee Ju · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
This study analyzed the growth and quality of cherry tomatoes (CTs) and nasturtiums planted at different ratios (CTs only, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, nasturtiums only) on rooftops and walls in building-integrated urban agriculture. Cherry tomatoes planted alone showed significant growth compared to companion planting. The 2:1 ratio of CTs to nasturtiums (C2N1) resulted in the highest plant weight and sugar concentrations for CTs on rooftops and walls, and nasturtiums also had larger leaves and flowers in this ratio. CTs generally grew better on walls than rooftops when companion planted with nasturtiums.
DIYBiodiversityOrganic cycleURBAN FARMING: MENDORONG KETAHANAN PANGAN KELUARGA MELALUI PELATIHAN BUDIDAYA IKAN DAN SAYURAN MENGGUNAKAN MEDIA EMBER
2024Mahpudin Mahpudin, Shanty Kartika Dewi, Khairul Yaman, Nilam Sari, Riky Efrizal · JMM (Jurnal Masyarakat Mandiri) · Indonesia
In Indonesia, training on fish and vegetable cultivation using bucket media was provided to 25 participants to overcome limited land. The training included education on alternative family food security, followed by practical demonstrations and assistance in cultivating catfish and kale in buckets. Post-test results showed a 72% increase in participants' knowledge and skills related to fish and vegetable cultivation, indicating successful program implementation.
DIYFood educationFood sovereignty & justicePemberdayaan Ibu-Ibu Pkk Dengan Urban Farming Melalui Pemanfaatan Lingkungan Rumah Tangga di Rt 36 / Rw 15 Kelurahan Sorosutan Umbulharjo Kota Yogyakarta
2024Eniandari janabadra.ac.id Eni Andari, Muhammad Najmudin, Titi Laras · ADARMA Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Universitas Janabadra · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
This study describes a community empowerment program for PKK mothers in RT 36 RW 15, Sorosutan Village, Umbulharjo District, Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. The program utilized urban farming through counseling and training to manage and utilize the home environment. The counseling and training are expected to motivate and educate the mothers to practice organic farming.
CommunityDIYFood educationOrganic cycle