Research & reports

Chen, C., Lam, J., Shi, Z., Akksilp, K., Aw, S., Chong, M.F.F. · JMIR Research Protocols · Asia

Randomized trial (n=137) of 24-week urban care farming program for older adults in Singapore. Measures quality of life, cognitive function, psychosocial well-being, and inflammatory biomarkers.

Cory Whitney, Thi Thu Giang Luu, Johannes Kopton, Eike Luedeling · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · Vietnam

This study developed a decision analysis framework to optimize school garden interventions in Vietnamese public and private schools, evaluating their effects on child health, biodiversity, and economic outcomes across five investment scenarios. Results show that passive gardens consistently offer greater biodiversity and health benefits, whereas STEM gardens encounter financial and operational barriers, especially in public schools. The findings highlight significant financial constraints in public schools compared to private ones, revealing critical trade-offs among economic, biodiversity, and health outcomes.

L Cao, Jingsheng Wang, Yanbin Zhao (1549129), Shuping Zheng, Ruike Pan, Ruiqi An (19738761), Xuhui Yue, Yifan Wang (380120), Jianan Li (290570), Yan Liu (25061), Jie Wang (16762), Peng Wang (34436), Yangmei Mo, Ning Pan (186987), H. Z. Shi, Jiayin Dai (218672), Kun Zhang (108291) · Figshare · China (Shanghai)

An integrated assessment of agrochemical contamination in Shanghai's peri-urban agricultural surface waters across 193 sites revealed exceptionally high chemical diversity and mixture complexity. 91 pesticides and 263 formulation adjuvants were widely detected, with adjuvants showing comparable detection frequencies and response intensities to pesticides, indicating they are a major, underappreciated component of agrochemical pollution. In vivo zebrafish embryo assays showed that representative pesticides and adjuvants induced adverse developmental effects at environmentally relevant concentrations, identifying peri-urban agriculture as a critical source of complex agrochemicals.

惟科 李, Haotian Zhang, Xiaoying Ding · Sustainability · China (Tianjin)

This study used the K-means clustering algorithm to classify residential areas in Nankai District of Tianjin, China. It proposed differentiated strategies for integrating spatial elements and management mechanisms of urban agriculture in these residential areas and quantitatively assessed the sustainable benefits of updated urban agriculture. The results indicate that differentiated urban agriculture updates in four types of residential areas can significantly improve their sustainable benefits.

Jeki Putra Jaya, Sari Putri Dewi, Cici Hidayatullah, Anwar Fuadi Lubis, Triyogi Prabowo, Ferawati Royani, Feby Elra Perdima, Asnawati Asnawati · Jurnal Karya Nyata Pengabdian · Indonesia

A community service program in RT 28 RW 02 Betungan Subdistrict and Sumber Jaya Betungan, Indonesia, addressed issues of limited green spaces, low waste management awareness, and lack of health activities. Solutions included planting medicinal plants, group exercise, providing waste bins, establishing reading corners, and developing a community garden. The program resulted in increased public awareness of environmental cleanliness and healthy lifestyles, improved literacy access, and stronger community participation.

Sreedaya G S, Smitha S, Mathew Riza, Somashekar Patil Sheetal, K Sreelakshmi, Krishna R Aswathi, V S Chinchu, Somanath Gopika, J R Shalini · Plant Science Today · India (Thiruvananthapuram)

This study examined catalysts and constraints of urban agriculture (UA) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, collecting data from 124 urban farmers across 20 wards in 2024 using mixed methods. Catalysts were categorized as socio-economic benefits, ecosystem services, and fitness and well-being, with fitness and well-being being the most influential. Constraints included institutional barriers like lack of timely information and socio-economic challenges such as poor soil fertility.

Jiayuan Wan · Theoretical and Natural Science · China (Changsha)

This study investigated the cooling effects of five urban green spaces in Changsha, China, using Landsat 9 remote sensing images from 2022-2024. Land surface temperatures were calculated for Yuelu Mountain, Martyrs' Park, Yuehu Park, Xiaoyuan Park, and a community garden. Large green spaces like Yuelu Mountain and Martyrs' Park showed the best cooling effects, lowering surrounding surface temperatures by up to 7.3°C compared to built-up areas. The findings indicate that more vegetation correlates with lower land surface temperatures.

Mohammad Suyanto, Taufiq Hidayat, Joko Priyono · Abdi Massa. · Indonesia

This community service activity aimed to educate the Drangrang farmer group in Sobo Village, Banyuwangi, East Java, on tips and tricks for successful urban farming. Discussions and interviews focused on utilizing narrow urban land to create more beneficial value for residents and the environment, covering food security, cultivation of medicinal herbs, and Trigona honey bee farming. The participating farmer group showed great enthusiasm, leading to extensive Q&A sessions.

Rima Meslita, Tartila Tartila · AL-ISHLAH Jurnal Pendidikan · Indonesia

A study investigated how school gardens contribute to psychological recovery and learning outcomes among 566 high school students in Jambi Province, Indonesia. Students frequently used school gardens during breaks for relaxation, and perceived restorativeness was strongly associated with gardens featuring dense vegetation, canopy shade, water elements, and facilities like seating. Students reported reduced stress, improved mood, and clearer thinking after garden visits, demonstrating that school gardens function as everyday restorative environments that enhance emotional regulation and attentional readiness.

Hailey E. Kirkland, Donovan G. Doolittle, Kamila Deavers · ACS Sustainable Resource Management · United States (Indianapolis)

A collaborative phytoremediation initiative was conducted in a 2-acre urban community garden in a low-income Indianapolis neighborhood to address lead-contaminated soil. Soil testing revealed lead concentrations between 100–400 ppm, leading to tailored crop and hyperaccumulator rotations. The integrated design successfully enabled both soil decontamination and continued crop supply, with lead concentration in one section reduced from 380 ± 47 ppm to 167 ± 52 ppm (p < 0.05) over two seasons. However, the community's immediate nutritional needs constrained complete lead removal.

Aulia Maulida, Syafitri Jumianto, Riris Lindiawati Puspitasari, S.Si., M.Si · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (SENDAMAS) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study examined cattle manure from an urban farm in South Jakarta for the presence of Escherichia coli resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. Using total plate count, selective culture, Gram staining, and biochemical identification, presumptive ESBL-producing E. coli strains were detected. Bacterial growth on cefotaxime-supplemented media indicated phenotypic resistance, demonstrating that urban cattle manure may serve as a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Sugeng Harianto, Refti Handini Listyani, Dewien Nabielah Agustin, Rizky Trisna Putri, Ahmad Farhan Ridwan · Multidisciplinary Reviews · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A six-month mixed-methods study in Surabaya, Indonesia, involving 150 low-income households (75 urban farming, 75 non-farming), found that urban farming enhances dietary quality, stabilizes food availability, and reduces vulnerability during economic stress, while also strengthening neighborhood ties and improving mental well-being. However, its adoption is constrained by spatial limitations, financial barriers, inadequate technical knowledge, and sociocultural stigma, limiting participation among vulnerable groups.

Guanxin Du, Yu Sun, Hongyan WangShenggao Lu, Baiquan Yan, Huimin Dai, Kai Liu, Keke Xu · PLoS ONE · China

In the urban-agricultural transition zone of Arongqi in China's black soil region, researchers analyzed 32 topsoil samples (0-20 cm) from three subzones — urbanizing zone, peri-urban arable land, and urban zone — for 16 trace metals including Cd, Pb, Zn, As, Hg and Cr, plus soil organic matter. Urbanization did not worsen soil acidification but significantly reduced organic matter, and Cd, Pb, Zn, Ba, Co, Mo, Sr, V and Ag were significantly enriched above background levels, with peri-urban arable land contaminated by Cd, Mo, Sr, V and Ag and the urban zone by Cd, Pb, Ba and Sr. Carcinogenic risk was higher for adults in peri-urban arable land and for children in the urban zone, with oral ingestion and dermal contact as the dominant exposure pathways and Cr and As as the main carcinogenic factors for children; source apportionment attributed the contamination to traffic emissions (27.46%), soil parent material (24.77%), contemporary agriculture (24.54%), urban combustion (11.22%) and historical agriculture (11.22%).

Yus Alvar Saabighoot, Yusrafidin Yusrafidin, Rakhmini Juwita, Rizka Nurhalija, Rory Fitriani Larasati, Annisa Raudhatul Jannah, Lulu Ilma'nunah · Jurnal SOLMA · Indonesia

This case study examines a community-based program, "Waringin Sehat," delivered through an early childhood education center (PAUD Ibnu Umbara) in Waringin village, Indonesia, to address stunting and malnutrition in young children through a five-stage intervention combining education, participatory training and active mentoring. The program improved parents' and PAUD educators' understanding of balanced nutrition, equipped educators to integrate nutrition material into their curriculum, and formed active community learning groups that promoted use of local food through simple urban farming initiatives.

Dewi Ratna Nurhayati, Efi Nikmatu Sholihah, Siti Aulida Fajri, Andini Desi Sawitri · Jurnal Masyarakat Madani Indonesia · Indonesia

A one-month community-service program in Gulon RT 01 RW 19, Kelurahan Jebres, Surakarta, Indonesia, addressed underused home-yard land and limited vegetable-cultivation knowledge by delivering outreach, hands-on training and mentoring to 15 participants in growing bird's-eye chili using simple growing media. Participation, understanding and skills in productive use of yard land increased; most participants applied the techniques independently and reported healthy plant growth with harvest potential, and the activity was reported to reduce household spending and raise awareness of food security.

Mohssen Elbagory, Hassan M. El-Zahaby, EL-Shafeey E. I. EL-Shafeey, Nagwa EL-Khateeb, Alaa El-Dein Omara, Sahar El-Nahrawy, Amal Zayed, Pankaj Kumar, Jogendra Singh · Scientific Reports · India

A field-based comparative study in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, compared soil properties, the growth response of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern.), and tissue accumulation of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc under irrigation with paper mill effluent (PME) versus borewell water as a control. PME irrigation significantly raised soil pH (8.79), electrical conductivity (4.73 dS/cm), organic matter (3.94%) and all six heavy metals (p<0.001); vegetative growth increased, but heavy metal accumulation was pronounced in roots, with bioaccumulation factors for iron and manganese exceeding the hyperaccumulation threshold and root enrichment factors reaching 226.50 for copper and 40.51 for chromium. Dietary risk modeling found that the health risk index from chromium in leaves exceeded the safety threshold in children (HRI=1.05) and approached risk levels for cadmium and chromium in adults, whereas the borewell-irrigated control soil remained within safe agricultural ranges, marking a clear contrast with the contaminated PME-irrigated soil.

Singh C., Koduganti M., Patil S. · Urban Studies · India

A study measuring the self-reported wellbeing outcomes of urban agriculture in India at individual and community level, drawing on a household survey (n=361), key informant interviews (n=50) and in-depth interviews with home gardeners (n=7). Its novelty is a dataset covering both formal and informal settlements, going beyond existing Indian data. Wellbeing is operationalised through physical and mental health, intra-family, community and beyond-human connectedness, and contribution to pro-environmental values. The authors find significant perceived benefits at individual, household and community levels, and that urban agriculture lets citizens participate, innovate and collectivise in deeply meaningful ways — concluding that it needs to be recognised and mainstreamed within ongoing urban sustainability and climate initiatives.

Lin · Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology · China

A study examining the perceived benefits and barriers of gardening among urban older adults from a Chinese perspective.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Xiang Zhou, Nan Wang, Jiaying Shi, Michael Hensel · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · China (Nanjing)

A study of urban foraging behavior in Nanjing's central urban area, China, revealed significant enthusiasm among residents, linking personal childhood experiences to their foraging motivations. However, environmental pollution was identified as a critical barrier to these activities.

Indarwati Indarwati, Jajuk Herawati, Tatuk Tojibatus S, Medita Johana Pakula Bafiqi, Surya Ari Widya · Agricultural-Animal Science Innovation and Empowerment Journal · Indonesia

This Community Service Program assisted the Banjarbendo village in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, to utilize approximately 20 hectares of idle land for urban farming, aiming to improve community nutrition and food security. Using a participatory method, the program engaged partners in growing various vegetables with donated seeds and seedlings. Evaluation showed increased community awareness and understanding regarding the use of idle land for healthy vegetable production.

Rico Yanuar Ardiansyah, Hamidah Hendrarini, Wahyu Santoso · Jurnal Ilmiah Sosio Agribis · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A study in Surabaya City, Indonesia, analyzed community participation in urban farming among 50 respondents from three farmer groups from April to June 2025, using Importance Performance Analysis. While urban farming performed optimally in ecological, socio-cultural, educational & tourism, and health aspects, the economic aspect showed the lowest performance and largest gap. This indicates a need for strengthening outcome management, market access, and community economic empowerment to optimize economic contributions.