Research & reports

V. Lakshmi Srinija, M Raju, P. Srinu Vasarao · International Research Journal on Advanced Engineering and Management (IRJAEM) · Global

This paper presents the design and implementation of an IoT-enabled remote control smart garden powered by a solar energy system. The system automates essential gardening tasks such as irrigation, soil moisture monitoring, temperature and humidity control, and real-time surveillance, operating independently of conventional power sources. Through sensors and a cloud platform, users can remotely monitor and control garden operations via a mobile or web application.

Zakhro Sodikova · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This research proposes an AI-based IoT approach for intelligent monitoring, prediction, and automation in smart gardens. The system includes distributed environment sensors, an edge processing unit for real-time processing and decision support, and a cloud-based machine learning module for prediction and optimization. The AI-driven system attained better prediction accuracy for soil moisture estimation and used considerably less water than traditional rule-based irrigation, without compromising plant health.

Aviciena 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.

Ika 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.

Jyotsana 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.

Anwesha 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.

Vidushi 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.

Khondokar 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.

Sk. Md. Nur-E-Alam, Marcin Feltynowski, Md. Sekender Ali, Mohummed Shofi Ullah Mazumder, Fida Al Hasan · Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum · Bangladesh (Dhaka)

This study in Dhaka, Bangladesh, aimed to explore the socio-economic characteristics and current knowledge of rooftop gardeners, and to evaluate factors contributing to their gardening knowledge. The research found that gardening space and media contact positively correlate with gardeners' existing knowledge. Access to diverse media can enhance understanding, and having gardening space facilitates technical knowledge sharing and community building among gardeners.

Arin Shaikh · International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology · Global

This paper presents a Smart Plant Monitoring System using Arduino, designed to automate irrigation and enhance plant care by continuously monitoring soil moisture, temperature, and humidity. The system, comprising an Arduino Uno, sensors, and a water pump, demonstrated a 30-40% reduction in water consumption and improved irrigation efficiency in experimental results. It is proposed for both small-scale urban gardening and large-scale agricultural applications.

Nam-Gyeong Gim · Asia-pacific Journal of Convergent Research Interchange · Global

This study developed an efficient hydroponic smart-farm program for urban elementary school students, focusing on its applicability in a classroom environment. Through school environmental analysis and program development using household items and upcycled materials, the study confirmed that urban schools, despite operational disadvantages, have potential for small-scale smart-farm operation. The developed program demonstrated applicability with low-cost, recyclable materials.

Augusto Cáceres Núñez, Sergio Delgado Bernedo · Veritas · Global

This project designed an automated hydroponic vegetable cultivation system using NFT in vertical rotating shelves, incorporating a PLC, EC and pH sensors, and a PID control system. A Simulink simulation demonstrated the PID control system's proper behavior, ensuring stable and efficient shelf rotation. The automated system optimizes space, improves operational efficiency, reduces manual intervention, and facilitates urban agricultural management, with the design deemed viable for automated urban agriculture.

Abella Alemany, Agèric, Casals Missio, Joan, Macarulla Martí, Marcel, Pintó Espín, Laia, González Atero, Ramiro, Arcas, Verónica, Gassó Domingo, Santiago, Gabarrell Durany, Xavier · UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) · Global

Urban agriculture is gaining prominence globally for promoting environmental sustainability, food security, and social cohesion in cities. While urban cultivation is not new, a recent innovative approach involves integrating agriculture into urban infrastructure, particularly utilizing building rooftops as underutilized spaces with significant potential.

Dewa Putu Oka Prasiasa, I Ketut Widnyana, P E P Ariati, I Made Wijaya · Prosiding Seminar Ilmiah Nasional Implementasi Iptek. · Indonesia (Bali)

In Kelan Tourism Village, Bali, an integrated aquaponics biofloc urban farming model with drip irrigation for tilapia and vegetable gardens was implemented as edutourism. This initiative aimed to address the economic underperformance of culinary tourism due to external vegetable purchases despite available land. The implementation led to increased understanding and skills among target groups, students, and tourists regarding the urban farming model, and improved income for culinary businesses by reducing vegetable purchase leakages.

Dr. S.S. Uma Sundara Sood · INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL REVIEWS · Global

The abstract available for this record consists only of publication and indexing information for the journal (International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, IJRAR), including its ISSN numbers and listing bodies, and contains no description of the article's subject, methods, or findings.

Benita Amirotul Ayyi, Siti Muslikah, Sugiarto, Zuhanid Zamarudah · Folium Jurnal Ilmu Pertanian · Indonesia

A growth trial of pea-shoot microgreens (Pisum sativum L.) conducted at "Rumah Microgreen" in the Alamsari housing area of Malang, Indonesia, using a factorial randomized block design with two factors: growing medium (100% cocopeat, 50% cocopeat/50% rice husk charcoal, or non-woven fabric) and harvest timing (6, 7, 8 or 9 days after sowing). The combination of 50% cocopeat/50% rice husk charcoal medium harvested at 9 days after sowing produced the best growth and yield, and this combination is recommended for optimal pea-shoot microgreen production.

Stokman, Antje, Khokhlova, Viktoria, Peters, Lasse, König, Bettina, Lange, Doris, Bürig, Lara, Esche, Finn, Feldmann, Falko, Quambusch, Mona · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Germany

A German report on an urban agriculture innovation district being developed in Hamburg as part of the Horner Geest landscape axis and the urban development of the new Gartenstadt Öjendorf. An interdisciplinary research team from HafenCity University (landscape planning), the Julius Kühn Institute (horticultural sciences), and the University of Kassel (agricultural economics and sustainability research) is developing scenarios for a productive horticultural park and testing them on a test and demonstration site. The project aims to establish innovative forms of urban agriculture that increase the presence and perception of farming in urban space and promote direct interaction between city residents and professional agricultural actors; this report covers the project on the occasion of its first scenario workshop.

Meistian Herizon, Didi Ardiansyah, Radeni Ilyan Putra, Reflis Reflis, Satria Putra Utama · ABDISOSHUM Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bidang Sosial dan Humaniora · Indonesia

Using a qualitative literature review, this paper examines how contemporary homesteading — characterized by self-sufficient food production, efficient resource management and sustainable living practices — can function as a framework for community service activities in Indonesia. It finds that homesteading contributes to household economic resilience, physical and mental health, environmental conservation and stronger social networks, but also faces implementation obstacles including limited land availability, lack of technical skills, regulatory constraints and social resistance.

Mieke Lopes Cardozo, Bas van den Berg, Koen Rens Wessels · · Europe

A narrative account of involvement with FRIS, a community within the University of Amsterdam working on education innovation for a fair, resilient, and inclusive society. The speaker, Mieke, describes being invited to coordinate and supervise a round of thematic teaching-innovation scholarships—organized jointly by the university's Teaching and Learning Centre and the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies as part of the university's strategic plan—and to help build a learning community oriented toward more regenerative ways of learning and working.

Affan Khoerul Pratama, Niken Kusuma Dewi, Ardhian Oktawidyaman, Afia Mansyoorah Nurjaman, Bintang Restu Darmawan, Dimas Arifil Akbar, Die Bhakti Wardoyo Putro · An-Nizam · Indonesia

A community service program in Cepokosari hamlet, Bantul, Indonesia, provided technical training and intensive mentoring to members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) on growing eggplants and chili peppers using repurposed used water gallon containers as vertical-gardening planting media, aiming to reduce plastic waste while promoting household food security and economic improvement. The results show that using used water gallons as planting media enhanced plant productivity, yielding enough produce for household consumption with a surplus sold for supplementary income for participating families.

Liliek Dwi Soelaksini, Trisnani Alif, Tirto Wahyu Widodo, Ilham Muhklisin, Dewi Puspa Arisandi, Nurfadilah Nurfadilah · Sejagat · Indonesia

In PKK RW 27, Tegal Boto Lor (Sumbersari District, Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia), where urban residents with limited agricultural land had already been using roadside planting of trees and ornamental plants, a community service team introduced the urban farming concept through wall gardening, delivered via education and soft-skills training. Comparing pre- and post-test results, the share of residents meeting the "good" knowledge criterion rose from 20% before the training to 53.4% after.

Aili Yang, Yiwei Ma, Jia Chen, Haiyan Yang, Zhenji Wang, Qingqing Shen, Huajie Yin, Yuyan Wang · Indian Journal of Horticulture · India

In India, cultivation methods for optimizing lettuce production on household balconies were compared: circulating hydroponics, static hydroponics, and substrate cultivation against soil cultivation as a control, evaluating growth, yield, and quality. Hydroponic systems significantly outperformed soil cultivation. Static hydroponics produced the highest biomass, with fresh and dry weights increasing by 10.53% and 55.29% over the control. Circulating hydroponics had slightly lower yield but increased vitamin C content by 6.57% and sensory quality by 41%, ranking second overall. Substrate cultivation showed moderate gains, with vitamin C up 5.14% and taste rating up 19.66% versus the control. Considering growth performance, space efficiency, ease of management, and cost, static and circulating hydroponics were identified as the most suitable systems for balcony-based lettuce cultivation.

Listya Utami Karmawan, Rory Anthony Hutagalung, Yanti Yanti, Irwin Suryaatmadja, Michelle Nadine Hardjawidjaja, Yasinta Ratna Esti Wulandari · Journal of Saintech Transfer · Indonesia

The abstract describes a project with the Villa Ciomas RW 10 Farmer Group (PokTan Vici 10) in Ciomas Rahayu Village, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, which practices urban farming on a small plot beside the Cisindangbarang River and already had a small fishpond but lacked aquaponics equipment. A community service team aimed to enhance the urban farming facility by installing aquaponics equipment, running workshops on basic hydroponics and aquaponics knowledge, exploring business potential, and providing hands-on cultivation practice, with monitoring and guidance throughout. The hydroponic/aquaponics installation succeeded, though nutrient supply from the fishponds alone was initially suboptimal, requiring supplemental hydroponic nutrients; hydroponic techniques were also introduced for vegetable cultivation. A pre/post-training questionnaire analysis showed the program significantly improved participants' knowledge and aquaponic skills (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.05). The aquaponics equipment was installed successfully, and participants gained foundational knowledge and skills enabling them to manage aquaponics systems independently through to harvest; the community plans to explore business opportunities selling hydroponic/aquaponic products.

Kulesh Bhandari · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · India

This press release reports on the field progress and community engagement of the Wild Food Forests in Tribal Jharkhand initiative in India, led by biodiversity researcher Kulesh Bhandari (M.Sc. Zoology, Godda College, SKMU) with support from The Pollination Project Foundation (USA). The project spans multiple tribal villages, including Bodiya Panchayat, Fhagu Tola, Rajapathar, Mandal Chak, Silthiya B Panchayat (Basdhuma Upar Tola, Niche Tola, Debri), Salaipahari, and Gardiapahari (Gopikandar Range). It aims to restore diversity of wild edible and medicinal plants such as Dumar, Dova, Mahua, Koha, and Bel by combining traditional knowledge with scientific monitoring.

Alex Axinte, Carmen Rafanell, Bogdan Iancu · Environmental Sociology · Europe

This study investigates the persistence of "gardening by the bloc," an informal urban gardening practice in the green spaces of collective housing districts in post-socialist Bucharest, Romania. Often dismissed in public discourse as a leftover of socialist-era survival strategies, the research instead reconsiders it as an everyday social interaction that supports communities amid urban transformation. Drawing on Tsing and De Angelis, the study frames the practice as a local form of "latent commons" reflecting broader socio-political shifts in a post-socialist city. Based on qualitative research, it documents how residents use, adapt and manage these green spaces and their relations with institutional actors under increasingly neoliberal governance, arguing that the overlap between a market-oriented regulatory project, inherited socialist structures, and collective spatial practices has shaped a distinct way of living together. As an emerging form of urban commons, gardening by the bloc can sustain shared communal practices against an increasingly individualized society and lay groundwork for bottom-up regeneration of housing estates, but the article also reveals contradictions inherent to latent commons, including internal tensions and ambiguities.