Research & reports

Timo Falkenberg, Deepak Saxena · Indian Journal of Community Medicine · India (Ahmedabad)

A 12-month case-cohort study of 187 households in four communities of Ahmedabad, India, purposively selected by irrigation water type (groundwater, surface water, wastewater), with bimonthly self-reported health diaries and most-probable-number measurement of Escherichia coli in water. Mean E. coli concentrations per 100 mL were 3.04×10^4 (groundwater), 9.28×10^5 (surface water) and 4.02×10^9 (wastewater) — all exceeding international irrigation water standards. Diarrhoea incidence was 7.92 episodes per 1000 person-weeks in the groundwater area versus 13.1 (wastewater) and 13.4 (surface water), with a positive correlation between irrigation water quality and diarrhoea. Wastewater reuse is often promoted as a water-scarcity fix for urban agriculture; this study shows it carries a health cost borne by the farming households themselves.

Kanhaiya Sapkota · Tribhuvan University Journal · Asia

This study, based on a survey of 105 households in the Kangeshwori-Manohara low-lying Area, aimed to analyze contradictions and the interface between scientific and local knowledge on urban agriculture. Farmers transitioned from traditional to intensive, market-oriented agriculture, adopting a wider range of improved farming techniques for economically viable and sustainable production, indicating some link between scientific and indigenous knowledge.

Adi Firmansyah · · Indonesia (Bekasi)

A qualitative descriptive study in Bekasi Regency, Indonesia, investigated the impact of an organic urban farming program initiated by PT. Pertamina EP Tambun Field on agricultural behavior and institutionalization. The program led to changes in farming techniques from conventional to organic, and shifts in actor interactions, rules, values, norms, and resource management. These changes fostered institutionalization, strengthening the social, economic, and ecological benefits of organic farming.

E S Iriani · · Indonesia (Malang)

This research used a deep interview method with Kampung 3G's management in Blimbing, Malang, Indonesia, to study its transformation from a flood-prone slum to an educational vacation village over five years. The study found that strict policy implementation, including punishments for policy breaches, and citizen engagement in programs like urban farming, led to environmental improvements and changes in citizen character. These changes upgraded citizen income through the emergence of micro-small-medium businesses, and Kampung 3G's programs became a reference for other areas, earning it multiple awards.

M. L. Dotaniya, V. D. Meena, S. Rajendiran, M. Vassanda Coumar, Asha Sahu, J. K. Saha, S. Kundu, Hiranmoy Das, A. K. Patra · Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science · India (Bhopal)

A case study in peri-urban agricultural lands near Patranala, Bhopal, India, investigated the impact of over 50 years of untreated sewage water irrigation on soil properties. Findings showed higher concentrations of heavy metals in surface soils of sewage-irrigated fields, posing a major concern. Conversely, soil microbial population, enzymatic activities, and organic carbon content were also higher, indicating enhanced carbon sequestration.

Melinda R.S. Moata, Oskar Kollo, Yofris Puay, Yos Rhuma, Charles Tlonaen, Zakharias Duka · PARTNER · Indonesia (Kupang)

This survey evaluated 10,078 hectares of unmanaged land in Lasiana, Kupang city, Indonesia, to assess its capability for urban agriculture. The study found that two land units were classified as Class III land capability due to limiting factors such as soil depth, erosion level, soil fertility, drainage, and stoniness. Recommendations for land management included increasing soil depth and applying urban forest or urban farming development with multifunctional land uses.

Hana Sakura Putu Arga · PrimaryEdu - Journal of Primary Education · Indonesia (Bandung)

This classroom action research, conducted in 3 cycles with 12 meetings, aimed to improve the ecoliteracy of fourth-grade students at SDN 038 Kiaracondong Bandung, Indonesia, through urban farming activities. The study found an increase in students' ecoliteracy, evidenced by behaviors such as planting on school land, using waste for pots, caring for plants, and distinguishing waste types. These improvements were observed in both school and home environments.

J.H. Kwag, Eun‐Jeong Cho, Mi-Eun Jeong, Kwang-Yong Ju, Dae‐Young Jeon, Hui-Cheol Jeong · 한국토양비료학회지 · South Korea (Busan)

This study analyzed the chemical properties of soils from 29 urban vegetable gardens in the Busan area, South Korea. Urban area vegetable garden soils showed high content of organic matter and exchangeable cations, suggesting more fertilizer application in these areas. Average values for soil fertility items were pH 6.87, organic matter 43.4 g kg-1, available phosphate 845.3 mg kg-1, K+ 1.30 cmol kg-1, Ca2+ 17.27 cmol kg-1, Mg2+ 2.88 cmol kg-1, and electrical conductivity 2.66 dS m-1.

Ansel Nastika, V Violita, Irma Laelani Eka Putri · BioScience · Indonesia

This experimental study in Indonesia tested hydroponic cultivation of water spinach (Ipomoea reptans), chosen for its ease of growth on the narrow plots typical of urban agriculture. Conducted from December 2017 to April 2018 in a biology laboratory and screen house at Universitas Negeri Padang, it used a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications, analyzing plant height, leaf number, leaf area, and wet and dry weight by ANOVA and DNMRT at the 5% level. Liquid organic fertilizer made from Sargassum sp. seaweed had no significant effect on plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, or wet and dry weight of the water spinach.

Reni Amaranti · ETHOS (Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian) · Indonesia

This community service activity provided assistance to communities in Indonesia to manage organic waste at the local Rukun Tetangga (RT) level. The aim was to support urban farming programs by addressing the uneven spread of knowledge and low public participation in waste utilization. The activity focused on helping communities utilize their existing potentials and resources for waste management.

Nur Faizah Marwan, Bagas Setiono, Nur Indah · Jurnal Ilmiah Penalaran dan Penelitian Mahasiswa · Indonesia

Code Village in Indonesia faces severe river pollution, with heavy metal levels at 6-9 mg/l, exceeding the 3 mg/l standard. This paper proposes the "ECOBLUE" concept, which combines Blue Open Space (BOS) optimization with urban farming, prioritizing waste management to improve living standards. The concept involves managing organic waste for fertilizer and recycling plastic for vertical gardens, aiming to enhance health, education, and prosperity in Code Village.

Rifa Dianmurti, Lathoif Ghozali · el-Qist Journal of Islamic Economics and Business (JIEB) · Indonesia (Surakarta)

This study analyzed the role of Rumah Zakat's urban farming in community economic empowerment in Ngemplak Sutan Organic Vegetable Village, Surakarta City, Indonesia, using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data was collected through observation, documentation, and direct interviews with empowerment facilitators from Rumah Zakat and the head of the community self-help group. The urban farming activities resulted in the formation of the Organic Vegetable Village program through independent nutritional gardens, the establishment of the Kahuripan vegetable seed cooperative, the formation of women farmer groups, and waste bank management by village residents.

Rung-Jiun Chou, Chen-Ting Wu, Feng-Tzu Huang · Sustainability · Taiwan (Taoyuan)

This qualitative study explored the experiences of community champions in Gaoyuan, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, where a traditional farm pond was transformed into a multi-functional urban agriculture (UA) resource. Through interviews, fieldwork, and participant observation, the study found that UA fostered a distinctive landscape, promoted cooperative working and mutual learning among local people, and built social cohesion. The farm-pond-based UA acted as a catalyst for the community's progress toward sustainability.

Indrianawati Usman, Paundra Viveka Nanda · J for Global Business Advancement · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This research explores the possibility of utilizing coffee grounds from coffee shops in Surabaya, Indonesia, through green concepts and reverse logistics, using an exploratory case study with interviews. It found that individual coffee shops cannot recycle their own grounds due to small amounts and lack of resources. The study concludes that third parties are needed to recycle coffee grounds into valuable products like fertilizer for urban farming communities, presenting a green business opportunity model.

Ade Yulistiani · · Indonesia

This study, conducted from December 2016 to March 2017 in Labuhan Ratu, Indonesia, investigated the effects of organic fertilizer and urea fertilizer doses on sweet corn growth, production, and leaf pigment. Using a 2x4 factorial randomized block design with three replications, it found that both organic fertilizer (15 tons/ha chicken manure and 20 ml/l Biomax grow biofertilizer) and urea fertilizer increased growth, production, and leaf pigment. Organic fertilizer application increased plot production by 18.57%, and adding organic fertilizer reduced the optimum urea dose from 278.5 kg/ha to 236.9 kg/ha for maximum plot production.

Dong Sung Kim, Yong Joo Sung, Bomi Kim, Ji-Yoon Kim, Rizal Solehuddin, Young Seok Park, Yong-Gyo Seo · Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry · South Korea

In South Korea, this study evaluated whether rice husk fiber — derived from the biorefinery process used for rice husk silica extraction — could substitute for cocopeat, the major component of vegetation media used in artificial greening such as rooftop gardens, testing samples made with OCC or ONP pulp. Higher rice husk fiber content produced bulkier, weaker vegetation media, though water-holding capacity and disintegration resistance were little affected, and no effect on conductivity change was detected. The study concludes that substituting rice husk fiber for cocopeat is possible with optimized application practice.

Dwi Iriyani, Pangesti Nugrahani · Jurnal Matematika Sains Dan Teknologi · Indonesia

This descriptive quantitative study compared the nutritional values of organically and non-organically grown leaf vegetables—water spinach (kangkung), mustard greens, and spinach—cultivated in urban agriculture in Surabaya, Indonesia. Using spectrophotometric measurement (at 480, 645, and 663 nm) for total chlorophyll and carotenoid content and DCPIP titration for vitamin C, the study found water content above 80% in all samples, the highest vitamin C in non-organic mustard greens (2.45 µg/g) and the lowest in organic spinach (0.68 µg/g), the highest chlorophyll in non-organic spinach (23.81 mg/L) and the lowest in non-organic kangkung (3.29 mg/L), and the highest carotene in non-organic spinach (263.52 μmol/L) and the lowest in non-organic mustard greens (168.02 μmol/L)—concluding that no single leaf vegetable type, organic or non-organic, had the best values across all nutritional measures.

Dwi Haryanta, Mochammad Thohiron, Bambang Gunawan · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A survey conducted in river, ditch and reservoir waters in Surabaya, Indonesia, randomly sampled sedimentary soil and measured pH, color, structure, texture, organic matter, total nitrogen, K2O and P2O5. Clay content ranged 89.87-92.14%, organic matter 5.96-7.60%, total nitrogen 0.09-0.13%, K2O 0.88-1.12% and P2O5 2.08-2.44%, with soil color grayish-black to black. Housing sewer mud deposits were the most crumbly, and sludge reservoirs were the most heavily used. The sewage sludge soil was found potentially usable as a planting medium for urban agriculture.

Ferdianto Budi Samudra, Adi Prayoga · Surya Agritama : Jurnal Ilmu Pertanian dan Peternakan · Indonesia

This descriptive study in Penanggungan Village, Trawas District, Mojokerto Regency, Indonesia, aimed to assess the sustainability of an organic urban farming system implemented in household yards using mini greenhouses. The research, conducted in a community-based organic farming area, found that the urban farming system in the study location was sustainable from the perspective of its cultivation system.

Christiane Joi Allen · Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) · India (Mumbai)

This study evaluated the environmental, social, and economic benefits of urban agriculture in Mumbai, India, using Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis. Results indicate that urban agriculture has lower greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and water consumption but higher eutrophication potential compared to commercial large-scale agriculture.

Chieh-Fu Cheng, Simon Chen-Tsang Tsai, Bin-Min Sung · · Taiwan

This study in Hualien, Taiwan, applied social capital theory to investigate how social capital dimensions facilitate the development of community-based organic agriculture, focusing on an experimental green restaurant. Participant observations and in-depth interviews with 7 local organic farmers were conducted. Results revealed that the experimental green restaurant must continually fulfill various social functions (e.g., educator, information platform, resource distributor) and accumulate social capital to extend its internal ties with local farmers into relationships based on mutual trust and reciprocity.

M.P Dr. Enny Zulaika · · Indonesia

A study using Azotobacter isolated from eco urban farming land at ITS, Indonesia, tested resistance and bioaccumulation of mercury (HgCl2) via selective media isolation, streak resistance testing and atomic absorption measurement, analyzed by ANOVA and LSD at the 5% level. Three isolates (A5, A6, A9) tolerated HgCl2 up to 20 mg/L, and at 5 mg/L exposure the highest bioaccumulation efficiency was recorded for A5 (89%) and A9 (87%).

Anjar Lulu Sakinah · · Indonesia

Mercury is a highly toxic and hazardous heavy metal, and bacteria able to live in mercury-contaminated habitats — mercury-resistant bacteria, including Azotobacter — are known to exist. This study aimed to obtain superior Azotobacter isolates resistant to mercuric chloride (HgCl2) from land at the ITS (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember) Eco Urban Farming site — land where mercury contamination was present — and to determine mercury reductase enzyme activity as a bioreductant converting Hg2+ to Hg0. Isolation used selective Azotobacter agar media, resistance was tested by a slant-agar streak method containing HgCl2, and mercury reductase activity was analyzed using the MRA method and spectrophotometry at 340 nm. Ten HgCl2-resistant Azotobacter isolates were obtained; isolates A5 and A9 tolerated 10 mg/L HgCl2 with optimal growth and relatively high mercury reductase activity, showing a reduction capacity of ≥3 mg/L and a reduction efficiency above 70% at an HgCl2 concentration of 5 mg/L.

Yan Xiaohui · Digital Commons - Lingnan (Lingnan University) · China

This paper presents a lecture by Mr. Yan Xiaohui on Community and Ecological Agriculture, focusing on the experiences and reflections of Little Donkey Farm. The lecture discusses the farm's origins, current activities, and future vision for a shared community.

P. S. Yuniar, Widiatmaka Widiatmaka, A. M. Fuah · Jurnal Ilmu Produksi dan Teknologi Hasil Peternakan · Indonesia (South Tangerang)

This research analyzed the advisability and potential for beef cattle development in South Tangerang, Indonesia. Data was collected through interviews with stakeholders, observations of livestock locations, and secondary sources. The study used Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and SWOT analysis to formulate development strategies, finding that waste management, biogas technology, farmer cooperative capacity building, and government land-use support are important for sustainability, farmer income, and food security.