Research & reports

· Environmental Policy and Governance · China

Analyzes how citizen participation in China's community gardens is governed within state-licensed frameworks, conceptualized as an 'authoritarian commons.' Examines the relationship between participatory greening and governance.

· Geo: Geography and Environment · China (Zhengzhou)

Analyzes 'quiet' green community innovations—resident greening and gardening at the interface of public and private ownership—in an old neighbourhood of Zhengzhou, China.

· Frontiers in Sustainability · Indonesia

A mixed-methods study of visitors to a university ecofarm, assessing their motivations, learning experiences, and perceptions of facilities during on-site visits.

Kim D., Park E., Yun H., Baek Y., Jin H., Cho H. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · South Korea

A qualitative evaluation of a garden-based healing and learning program for young adults with intellectual disabilities found changes including emotional, social, physical, and independence-related healing.

Chang X., Yan X., Lv F., Zhang Y., Breeze T. D., Li X. · Insects · Hanzhong, China

Documents pollinator resources and pollination networks in Hanzhong City, China, recording 80 pollinator species and 59 pollinated crop and wild nectar plant species, and evaluates the economic value of pollination services.

Donthi R. B. R., Ramannagari B. · Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management · Anantapur, India

Based on a door-to-door survey of 110 households in Anantapur, India, biodegradable waste exceeded 70% of total waste and 88% favoured source segregation, supporting decentralized composting as a low-cost complement to centralized systems.

· Scientific Reports · Nonthaburi, Thailand

Uses stratified random sampling of markets, restaurants, institutions, and residential areas to analyse urban food waste generation and sustainable management strategies in Nonthaburi Municipality, Thailand.

Deborah Dutta, Amrita Hazra · SAGE Journals · India

Explores socio-ecological dimensions of urban gardening practices in India. Examines how citizen-driven agriculture nurtures social spaces, ecological value, and innovative imagination in urban contexts.

Prabhu, S., Costa, M., Al-Rasheed, A., Kariuki, N. · Springer Environmental Economics · Asia

Analysis of 42 commercial vertical farms in emerging markets. Capital investment ranges $500-2,000/m². Profitability achieved within 5-7 years in high-income markets and 7-10 years in emerging economies.

Navneet Kaur, Jagdev Singh, Neeta Raj Sharma, Simranpreet Kaur Natt, Anand Mohan, Tabarak Malik, Madhuri Girdhar · Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts · Asia

A review of heavy metal contamination in vegetables irrigated with wastewater across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China. Cadmium, lead, chromium, arsenic, nickel and mercury repeatedly exceeded international standards, and leafy vegetables accumulated more than fruit or root vegetables. Health risk assessments exceeded safe thresholds for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic endpoints, with children most exposed. The authors identify weak regulatory oversight and monitoring as the central gap, implying that for urban and peri-urban farming dependent on wastewater in water-scarce regions, contamination control is a precondition rather than an optional extra.

Elnazir Ramadan, Suliman Zakaria Suliman Abdalla, Ali Al Ahbabi, Tarig Gibreel, Naeema Al Hosani · City and Environment Interactions · Asia

This study explored factors influencing agricultural technology adoption among small-scale urban farmers in pre-urban areas of the arid Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Using a structured questionnaire and ordinal logistic regression, it identified performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, trust, and cultural norms as key drivers of adoption. Perceived risk negatively influenced adoption, while compatibility was not statistically significant.

Yati Sri Hayati, Sitawati Sitawati, Annisa Wuri Kartika, Niko Dima Kristianingrum, Sri Soenarti, Velinda Dewi Lutfiana, Risma Dwi Rahmawati, Herdyana Lintang Sari, Tria Armannaena, Nurliza Prita Arfiati · Kontribusi Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Malang)

This study evaluated whether interventions of knowledge and community empowerment could improve the effectiveness of urban farming for the elderly in the Kurnia Lestari farmer group in Malang City, Indonesia. Intervention activities were conducted using a community empowerment model, including agricultural assistance, health education, ergonomic exercises, and health checks. Results showed an average increase of 5 kg in agricultural products per harvest due to changes in planting media and land settings. The activity is concluded to enhance the economic value of urban elderly groups through increased product and harvest quality, and improved quality of life for the elderly.

Baskoro Tri Julianto, Budi Indra Setiawan, Satyanto Krido Saptomo, Liyantono Liyantono · Jurnal Keteknikan Pertanian · Indonesia

This study in Indonesia developed and tested a portable Minapadi (paddy and fish) culture model for urban farming over one season (99 days). The model, using automatic irrigation without electricity, showed an irrigation water consumption of 738 mm with 54% efficiency. It achieved land productivity of 3.62 tons/ha for rice and water productivity of 0.96 kg/m³, with a fish survival rate of 85% and total production of 3.34 kg. The model generated a total revenue of IDR44,044.76/m³.

Sriyanto Sriyanto, Eva Banowati, Edi Kurniawan, Fikri Amrullah, Ervando Tommy Al-Hanif · Society Jurnal Pengabdian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat · Indonesia (Karimunjawa)

This participatory urban farming program in Karimunjawa, Indonesia, aimed to improve community welfare and food security by empowering village women and youth to utilize their yards. Through socialization, training, and mentoring in techniques like polybag farming and composting, the program increased community farming skills. Evaluation via surveys, interviews, and observations showed most participants successfully applied techniques, producing food for consumption and experiencing economic benefits and improved food availability.

Hang Yu, Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos, Mohd Nazri Saidon, Mohd Amirul Hussain · Landscape Research · China (Shenyang)

This study critically examined how community-led edible landscapes intersect with tensions of urban redevelopment, memory politics, and governance ambiguity in post-industrial Shenyang, China. Using a qualitative case study approach, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and spatial documentation, findings showed that while edible landscapes can revitalize neglected spaces and evoke industrial memory, they also face instability, informal governance, and socio-environmental risks.

Ibnu Akmal Khuluqi, Muhammad Azhari, Rahmawati Munir · TRANSFORM Journal of Tropical Architecture and Sustainable Urban Science · Indonesia (Bontang Baru)

A qualitative case study in Guyub Rukun RT 18, Bontang Baru, Indonesia, investigated the implementation of urban farming. The study found that urban farming improved local food security, strengthened social ties, and was supported by CSR funds. However, it faced challenges such as limited technology and resources, which were overcome through manual adaptation and cross-sector collaboration.

Rahmawati Setiyani, Esti Dwi Rahmawati · MESTAKA Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia

This community service activity in Indonesia aimed to improve digital marketing literacy among members of the Sugih Waras Women's Farmers Group. The activity involved delivering materials on agricultural commodity production and digital marketing, followed by interactive discussions and evaluations. Results indicated an increase in knowledge among members, who committed to continuing the activity to support food security.

Gyska Indah Harya, Wanti Mindari, Taufik Setyadi, Siti Mukaromah, Cholid Fadil · Nusantara Science and Technology Proceedings · Indonesia (Surabaya City)

This community service activity in RW 01, Gunung Anyar District, Surabaya City, Indonesia, aimed to implement urban farming through integrated outreach and training. The initiative sought to enhance urban food security, meet local food needs, maintain environmental cleanliness, and preserve the environment by reducing carbon footprints and increasing green open spaces. Training covered the meaning and importance of urban farming, cultivation techniques for various plants, and solutions for production waste.

Luh Kadek Pande Sri Astrini, Suluh Dewanto · Agricultural Power Journal · Indonesia

This study analyzed the adoption of verticulture technology within sustainable horticultural systems in major Indonesian production centers, including West Java, East Java, and North Sumatra. Using a descriptive quantitative approach with secondary data, field surveys, and semi-structured interviews, results showed verticulture enhances land-use efficiency by up to 85%, reduces water consumption by 60%, and decreases reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers by 70%. The technology also contributes to production stability and food security, achieving an average return on investment within 3.5 years.

Muh Adjie Putra Pratama, Muhammad Ihsan A Dagong · Jurnal Abdi Insani · Indonesia (Bogor)

In 2022, the "Independent Student Exchange Program" was implemented in Babakan Village, Dramaga, Bogor Regency, Indonesia, involving over 160 students. Partnering with Dramaga Patani Organik, the program conducted urban farming education, nutritional counseling, and community service activities. The activities resulted in increased community understanding of organic farming, urban farming, and healthy eating patterns, while also strengthening students' solidarity and social responsibility.

Seliwati, Candra Mecca Sufyana, Widwi Handari Adji, Ridwan Nurzaman, Agung Rifaldi, Ulfa Majdina · PADMA · Indonesia (Bandung)

In Maleer Village, Bandung City, Indonesia, healthy food supply is a challenge due to limited land and agricultural knowledge. To address this, a smart hydroponic system based on IoT sensors (temperature, humidity, pH, TDS) was developed. This system aims to improve the efficiency of hydroponic cultivation through real-time monitoring and automated watering and nutrient supply, empower local communities with technology and urban agriculture skills, support local food security, and enhance economic productivity.

Purva Tavri · · India (Durg)

This chapter reframes the circular economy as a 'lived inheritance,' drawing from childhood practices like repair, reuse, frugality, and food respect in Durg, India. It critiques 'isomorphic mimicry' of imported models and advocates for reverse learning from communities. Using the 5Ws & H method, it demonstrates how vernacular circularity, including repair cultures, Ikra housing, terracotta cooling, leaf-plate economies, and community gardens, advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Fatah ‘Izzani Salim, Trie Damayanti, Nurmaya Prahatmaja · SAFARI Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Bandung City)

This final project report describes the production of the feature video "Menyemai Harapan, Memanen Kebersamaan," motivated by the urgency of food security in Bandung City's urbanization and the need to highlight community-based sustainable local alternative agriculture systems. The primary objective is to explain the implementation of image-taking techniques, including shot types, camera angles, camera movements, and framing, executed by the Director of Photography (DoP) during the video production presenting the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model at Seni Tani. The report concludes that the DoP's mastery of filming techniques plays a crucial role in raising public awareness about community-based sustainable local alternative agriculture systems.

Much Faisal Syaputra · Jurnal Administrasi dan Kebijakan Publik · Indonesia (Makassar City)

This qualitative case study critically examined the governance structure of Makassar City's Lorong Wisata program, which integrates urban farming for food self-sufficiency. The study found a fragmented governance network dominated by the municipal government's vertical authority, with weak cross-sectoral collaboration, particularly with universities and private actors. Institutional fragility was evident due to the absence of functional task forces, leading to symbolic rather than substantive coordination.

April Tiodora Manik · Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa Ekonomi Akuntansi · Asia

This quantitative study examined the implementation of Indonesia's Law Number 11 of 2020, particularly the 20% community plantation development facility (palm oil plasma), by seven oil palm plantation companies from 2019 to 2023. Statistical tests concluded that these seven companies had not properly applied the palm plasma system, indicating a failure to implement the law. Potential reasons include financial constraints, lack of infrastructure, limited stakeholder support, unclear guidelines, land acquisition difficulties, and weak coordination.