Agricultural City Research Articles

Unravelling integrated groundwater management in pollution-prone agricultural cities: A synergistic approach combining probabilistic risk, source apportionment and artificial intelligence

Groundwater is vital for agricultural cities, but intensive farming and fertilizer use have increased contamination risks, particularly for non-carcinogenic health hazards. This study reveals the sources of contaminants in groundwater, their health impacts, and targeted strategies in such cities. The study analyzed 115 groundwater samples, with the main groundwater chemical type being HCO₃-Na·Ca. Significant exceedances were found in Mg²⁺, HCO₃−, F−, total hardness (TH), and Mn, with HCO₃− and Mg²⁺ surpassing standards in nearly all samples. The average Comprehensive Environmental Water Quality Index (CEWQI) was 100.68, indicating that overall groundwater quality in the study area is good. High-quality water is mainly found near reservoirs and rivers, while urban and eastern regions have relatively poorer water quality. The proportion of groundwater unsuitable for drinking is low. Monte Carlo risk assessments revealed that F− and NO₃− pose non-carcinogenic risks to both adults and children, with NO₃− presenting a higher potential health risk. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model identified that groundwater pollution primarily results from natural geological processes and human activities, with agriculture being the major anthropogenic factor. AI-based zoning strategies highlighted industrial areas and high-fluoride zones as critical areas requiring enhanced prevention and control measures.

Growth Simulation of Agriculturally Dominant Cities by Incorporating Multiple Drivers into a CA-based patch-generating Land Use Simulation Model: A Case Study in Siracusa, Italy

Abstract. Understanding the historical trajectory of land use and land cover (LULC) and predicting future alterations is essential to advancing the SDGs. Current researches on LULC in agriculture-dominated cities primarily focuses on the spatiotemporal pattern analysis of carbon storage changes, with relatively little attention given to LULC simulation studies. Moreover, most studies employing cellular automata (CA) models concentrate on urban centers, overlooking the specific sustainable development of agricultural cities. This paper selects Siracusa, Italy, as a case study, incorporating multiple drivers and constructing four development scenarios. The patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model is employed to predict the LULC for Siracusa by 2030 and to examine potential transformations under each scenario. Our findings show that 60% of the land in Siracusa is designated as cropland, predominantly situated in flat regions. Our simulation results reveal that urbanization and demographic growth are the main factors driving cropland conversion to urban areas. Different development scenarios exhibit significant variations in future land use structures; the cropland protection scenario emphasizes the stability and sustainability of agricultural development, whereas the economic development scenario highlights the substantial impact of urban and industrial expansion on agricultural land. These insights are instrumental for land use planning and policy-making in Siracusa and other agriculture-centric cities, providing a framework to guide urbanization while promoting agricultural sustainability.

Analysis Of City Government And Farming Community Partnership In Food Security Policy: Urban Farming Program

The urban farming program is the city government policy to overcome the food security problem for the community's welfare. The study aims to discuss the partnership between the city government and the urban farming community in an urban farming program. It utilizes agricultural land and urban garden as the place for urban agroecological transformation as part of urban food security policy through the partnership capacity theoretical approach from Mathers, et al. This analytic descriptive study uses the case survey method, and data collection is obtained from the unstructured in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and observation in Jeruk urban village in Lakarsantri district in Surabaya. The findings show the success of the partnership between the department of food security and agriculture in Surabaya and Sri Sedono farmer group in the management of the integrated agricultural center. Urban farming program is influenced by mutual consensus which is beneficial to increase crop productivity. However, the result also indicates that the skill base factor is not optimal because of the limited personnel in PPL. Furthermore, the farmers are concerned about adopting new plant varieties. We suggest that the urban farming program can be sustainable and needs to increase the number of personnel in PPL. In addition, it is necessary to increase the entrepreneurial spirit of farmers so that they have innovation values to adopt new crop varieties, and the discipline through the increase of intensity assistance from PPL towards independent, skilled, and professional farmers.

Agricultural City – its Formal Shape in the Light of Historic Theoretical Designs and Emerging Technologies

The progressive degradation of environment and urban sprawl inspired the search for alternative ways of urban development. In this context, the concept of a “regenerative city” has gained significant traction in the field. It encompasses a variety of principles and strategies to ensure that cities can function sustainably and do not just consume resources but also actively regenerate them. In this context, the role of urban farming is particularly relevant. Urban farming, as a multifunctional tool, can contribute to food security, ecological sustainability, community resilience, and social cohesion. By integrating nature into the very fabric of urban design and ensuring that cities can sustainably support their inhabitants, we move closer to a vision of cities that are not just places of residence but thriving ecosystems in their own right. To achieve this goal we need not invent urban theories de novo. Throughout the decades, researchers have proposed cities encompassing agrarian land. The present study aims to present three lesser-known theories of W. Czerny, L. Zimowski and O. Hansen on the backdrop of theories by i.e. L. Migge, F.L. Wright, particularly focusing on the role of agriculture within city framework and their implications for the built structure of cities in the future.

Review: Salinas: A History of Race and Resilience in an Agricultural City, by Carol Lynn McKibben

Review: <i>Salinas: A History of Race and Resilience in an Agricultural City</i>, by Carol Lynn McKibben

The comparative advantage of urban goat production.

Urban agriculture significantly contributes to food security. The two primary components of urban agriculture are livestock production and horticulture. The goat, Capra hircus, is one of the commonly raised food animals. Goats can be used to generate income, produce milk, meat, skins, furs (hairs) and manure and provide various sociocultural and ecological services. This study evaluates the significance of urban goat production and recommends ways to lessen the adverse impacts of urban goat production. This report involved an in-depth interview with seven key informants in Adama and Addis Ababa cities. Goats can thrive in limited urban open spaces, scavenge leftovers from homes and open markets and browse on open public land. Goats can be incorporated into urban agriculture, in so doing contributing to a circular economy. Goats can thrive on a limited supply of water and feed and require less care and space. Goat farming is used to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. Goats are naturally active, which makes them better at avoiding traffic accidents. Goats can be used to control bush encroachment. Goat farming in cities improves land use efficiency and food security. Being friendly animals, goats can be utilized to play with kids, and they can be a basic piece of metropolitan ecotourism. However, goats can harm urban green spaces; therefore, to avoid issues of this kind, goat production must be zoned. Urban goat farming could add a new dimension to urban food security. Extensive pieces of empirical evidence need to be generated to enhance the adoption of urban goat farming.

Computer vision neural networks in support systems for making decision on a smart farm

The creation of smart farms and urban farms (city farm) has become one of the development trends in recent years, both in agroengineering and in urban construction. A high level of automation significantly reduces the degree of human participation in the production processes of a smart farm. As a result, the requirements for the experience and professional knowledge in the field of agriculture of the owner and staff of such a farm are reduced. The article discusses the issues of creating intelligent decision support systems for a “smart” agricultural farm, in particular, for urban, city farms. In such systems, artificial neural networks (ANN) of computer vision are used to process the results of observations and recognize situations requiring human intervention. Using the example of an urban farm for growing strawberries, a number of applied tasks are formulated (detection of fruits classified by maturity, detection and classification of diseases, detection of stolons). The results of an experimental study of computer vision systems for these tasks are presented. The research methodology included the use of pre-trained neural network models with their additional training on their own sets of images and subsequent assessment of the accuracy of detection and classification. Neural networks configured for such tasks in decision support systems are complemented by algorithms working with knowledge bases and computational and logical models. Thus, a hardware and software complex is being created that allows not only to automate the execution of current business tasks, but also to recommend solutions in case of difficult situations that normally require a lot of professional experience and knowledge from the staff. The study was conducted on the basis of the agrobiotechnical complex of Tyumen State University.

Harvesting Opportunities: Transforming Indonesia&amp;apos;s Agribusiness through Smart City Planning in the Digital Economy Era

The urban expansion in Indonesia, encompassing major cities and industrial centers, presents a multitude of issues. In order to address this difficulty, policymakers have the option to employ the notion of smart cities. The objective of this research is to critically examine a range of papers pertaining to the planning of Agribusiness cities from the perspective of smart city development. This study draws upon a range of scholarly sources, including research articles, theoretical models, conceptual frameworks, and analytical tools, to explore the topics of Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, and industrial cities. This study offers a contemporary understanding of smart city frameworks in the context of Agribusiness cities. This paper presents an analysis of the architectural composition of smart cities in relation to agricultural practices. The aforementioned framework can also be employed by governmental entities, such as the New Capital City in Indonesia, as part of their efforts to facilitate the transition into a smart agriculture city. The utilization of information technology in this particular concept, along with the suggested prioritization of implementation processes, is the most recent development.

An Effective Model for Selecting the Best Cloud Platform for Smart Farming in Smart Cities: A Case Study

Cloud computing has become an essential technology for various industries, including smart farming and smart city initiatives. Integrating smart farming into smart city initiatives can bring numerous benefits, such as increased food production, resource efficiency, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life for urban residents. Smart cities and smart farming are two interconnected concepts that aim to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban areas. Smart cities use technology and data to optimize infrastructure, services, and resources, while smart farming applies these same principles to agriculture. Smart farming with cloud computing involves the use of cloud computing technologies to optimize agricultural processes and improve crop yields. By using cloud computing technologies, farmers can collect, store, and analyze large amounts of data, access advanced analytics and machine learning tools, collaborate with agricultural experts, and benefit from scalability and flexibility. In this paper, we propose a novel MEREC-MAIRCA method to select the best cloud platform that helps decision-makers use smart farming in smart cities. By leveraging technology and data, smart farming can enable new business models, create new jobs, and foster social connections around food production and consumption.

Potential, challenges and prospects of rabbit farming in urban and peri-urban areas of Dodoma city, Tanzania

This study highlights the current status of rabbit production, potential challenges facing the industry and the prospects for rabbit farming in Dodoma city, Tanzania. Data from 60 individuals keeping rabbits were collected through a structured questionnaire and direct observation. Results showed that 60% of the respondents were men and 40% women. Rabbits were kept mainly as a source of meat for families and income generation. Main sources of rabbit stock were local breeders (55%) and missionaries (25%), while the remainder were from agricultural institutes. The dominant rabbit breeds reared were California white (50%), New Zealand white (30%), Chinchilla (10%) and Dutch (10%). Ninety-five percent of the farmers kept rabbits in cages, while 5% confined them at night and let them out during the day to forage for feed. Fifteen percent of the respondents fed commercial rabbit pellets, 5% vegetables and kitchen waste only, whereas 80% fed both rabbit pellets, vegetables and kitchen waste. The number of rabbits kept by an individual farmer ranged from 5 to 180, with mean stock size of 22.80±11.20 (mean±standard deviation). Rabbits were sold at 8 to 12 wk of age and each rabbit was sold for 20 000 to 30 000 Tanzanian shillings (8.00 – 12.00 USD). Major challenges in rabbit production were lack of feed resources, lack of readily available market, poor quality of breeding stock, low knowledge of rabbit production techniques and lack of technical support from extension services. Although rabbit farming in Dodoma is carried out at subsistence level, it is associated with a decrease in poverty among urban and peri-urban farmers. In conclusion, rabbit production in urban and peri-urban areas of Tanzania has the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security and poverty alleviation, thus improving living standards.

Characterization of Metal Elements in Atmospheric PM2.5 and Health Risk Assessment in Heze in Winter from 2017 to 2018

Atmospheric PM2.5 samples were collected in Heze, Shandong Province, from a total of three sampling sites at Heze College, Huarun Pharmacy, and a wastewater treatment plant between October 15, 2017 and January 31, 2018, to determine the concentrations of 21 metal elements in PM2.5 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The degree of elemental enrichment was also discussed, the health risks and potential heavy metal ecological risks were assessed. The results showed that ρ (PM2.5) ranged from 26.7 to 284.1 μg·m-3 at the three sampling sites during the sampling period, and the concentration values did not differ significantly, all of which were at high pollution levels. The highest concentrations of K were found in the three sampling sites, accounting for 31.03%, 39.47%, and 38.43% of the total, respectively, mainly due to the high contribution of biomass burning in autumn and winter in Heze, a large agricultural city. The highest concentrations of Zn, 89.70, 84.21, and 67.68 ng·m-3, were found in the trace elements at the three sampling sites, respectively. The enrichment factor results showed that the enrichment factor values of Zn, Pb, Sn, Sb, Cd, and Se were higher than 100, among which the enrichment factors of Cd and Se were higher than 2 000 and 4 000, respectively, which were significantly influenced by anthropogenic activities and might have been related to industrial production, metal smelting, road sources, and coal combustion emissions. The health risk results showed that there was some potential non-carcinogenic risk (HQ>0.1 for children and adults) for As and a combined potential non-carcinogenic risk (HI>0.1) and some potential carcinogenic risk (CRT>1×10-6) for both children and adults at the three sampling sites. There was a more significant carcinogenic risk (CRT>1×10-4) for adults at the wastewater treatment plant, and the slightly higher carcinogenic risk for adults than that for children may have been related to the longer outdoor activity and higher PM2.5 exposure for adults. The elements with the highest potential ecological risk values were Cd, As, and Pb, with Cd exhibiting a very high potential ecological risk that should be taken seriously. All three sampling sites showed a very high combined potential ecological risk, with the intensity spatially expressed as Heze College>Huarun Pharmacy>wastewater treatment plant.

Design of Arduino UNO based smart irrigation system for real time applications

The fundamental principle of the paper is that the soil moisture sensor obtains the moisture content level of the soil sample. The water pump is automatically activated if the moisture content is insufficient, which causes water to flow into the soil. The water pump is immediately turned off when the moisture content is high enough. Smart home, smart city, smart transportation, and smart farming are just a few of the new intelligent ideas that internet of things (IoT) includes. The goal of this method is to increase productivity and decrease manual labour among farmers. In this paper, we present a system for monitoring and regulating water flow that employs a soil moisture sensor to keep track of soil moisture content as well as the land’s water level to keep track of and regulate the amount of water supplied to the plant. The device also includes an automated led lighting system.

Characterization of Market and Labor Dynamics of the Local Mango Industry in Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Davao del Norte, Philippines

Understanding the inherent characteristics of a local agricultural industry is imperative in designing policies that are responsive to the context, needs, and challenges of its stakeholders. Grounded in this premise, this study unpacked the complexities of the mango industry in the Island Garden City of Samal, an agricultural city in the southern Philippines. Specifically, it aims to understand its labor dynamics and market arrangements using a qualitative approach. This study presents an overview of the mango production cycle in the garden city, which includes the corresponding labor requirements and market of the local mango industry. In terms of labor, aside from the quantity and quality of labor needed, this paper also presents the roles of men and women that are inherent in local mango production. Likewise, the study also enumerates the different issues and challenges faced by the local mango producers. These issues and challenges were concerns related to erratic prices, labor needs, and high production costs. Moreover, the study offers explanations for the existing labor dynamics in the garden city. This includes the interplay between the material nature of the commodity and the gender dynamics in the labor force. In addition, a discussion on the varying quality standards of different target markers is also provided. Finally, this study also explained the rationale behind the prevailing contractual arrangements within the local mango industry. The results presented in this paper offer insights into designing context-based programs and policies, which could further support the local mango industry.

A Novel IoT Photovoltaic-Powered Water Irrigation Control and Monitoring System for Sustainable City Farming

In Singapore’s limited land space, hydroponics, a soil-free method of that uses irrigation gained popularity for urban farming. Vertical farming can be made more sustainable by integrating Internet-of-Things (IoT) and solar photovoltaic (PV) as an intelligent system. This study aims to conduct a feasibility study on using PV cells to reduce energy consumption in IoT-enabled irrigation control and monitoring systems. In the experiment, an intelligent water irrigation system was designed for data collection including energy harvested from PV, climate conditions, and water quality. It was observed that a 45 Watt peak (Wp) solar PV was able to produce up to 460-watt hours of stored electricity in a day which can power a standalone hydroponic system that consists of a 19 W water pump and light emitting diode (LED) grow lights rated at 14 W/m. The climate monitoring system matched meteorological data from online sources proving to be applicable in the prototype. Water conditions such as water temperature and electrical conductivity (EC) also correlate to readings taken from traditional handheld water quality testers. Based on the fabricated prototype, integration is deemed to be feasible using power harvested from the sun.

Unveiling the effect of land transfer and land acquisition on farmland abandonment: Proximity/distance to the city matters

This study extends the generally accepted concept of “long-term non-cultivation” to consider farmland abandonment (FA) as a process of decreasing land use intensity. In addition, this study distinguishes between seasonal abandonment (SA) and complete abandonment (CA). In the context of the continuous devaluation of farmland and urban expansion, how will land transfer and government land acquisition affect FA in villages? Does the effect vary by village location? These interesting topics have not yet been discussed. Hence, we studied FA in 780 villages in Xintai City, an agricultural city in Shandong Province, China, and used the binary logistic regression model to answer the above questions. Results showed that SA is more prevalent than CA. Villages with large land transfer areas show a reduced likelihood of FA. Conversely, those with extensive government land acquisitions exhibit a high probability of FA. Both exhibit a stronger association with CA than SA. In remote villages, the negative correlation between land transfer and FA weakens, whereas the positive correlation with the land acquisition scale strengthens. Strategically regulating land transfers and land acquisition in adjacent and remote villages optimizes farmland utilization, reducing abandonment.

Information and analytical support for the formation of the city farm business plan

The article provides a theoretical substantiation of information and analytical support for the formation of a business plan for a city farm, in order to implement food security in terms of providing the population with organic and environmentally friendly agricultural products. Development of the functioning of the accounting and analytical system of city farms, as well as the development of the agro-industrial complex in the form of city farms in urban conditions. In modern conditions, our country needs import substitution, including in agricultural products. To solve this problem, the article presents the author’s models of accounting and analytical systems, as well as information and analytical support for the formation of a business plan for city farms, which will help economically for our country.

Investigation of Factors and Mortality Rate of Broiler Chickens in Poultry Farms in Maymana City

The subject of this research article is the investigation of factors and the rate of mortality in broiler chickens in poultry farms in Maymana city. This article examines the technical, technological, and managerial factors related to poultry farms and aims to assess their impact on the mortality rate of broiler chickens in Maymana city farms. This research can contribute to improving the conditions of chick rearing and reducing mortality rates in the broiler poultry industry.&#x0D; The investigation of factors and the rate of mortality in broiler chickens in poultry farms in Maymana city holds great importance in the broiler poultry industry. The mortality of chicks in the early stages of the production chain leads to profitability and performance decline in poultry farms due to technical, technological, and managerial issues. A detailed examination of these factors and the determination of appropriate strategies to reduce chick mortality can enhance the performance and efficiency of the broiler poultry industry. Therefore, this subject is of significant importance and contributes to sustainable development and improvement in the quality of broiler chicken rearing.&#x0D; The objective of this research article is to investigate the technical, technological, and managerial factors and their impact on the mortality rate of broiler chickens in poultry farms in Maymana city.&#x0D; In this research, using a descriptive research method, the status of the poultry rearing industry and the relationship of its dependent variables were examined. After preliminary investigations, 17 active poultry farms were selected using the systematic sampling method (SD) for conducting face-to-face interviews and completing questionnaires.&#x0D; The results showed that many of the examined farms did not reach a satisfactory level in terms of technical, technological, and managerial factors. The influence of each of these factors on animal losses in broiler farms was 31.71%, 33.08%, and 34.19%, respectively. Additionally, disease factors also had an impact on animal losses. The common diseases in broiler farms in Maymana city included Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and Gumboro, which caused significant losses in the chickens.

Network Structure in Sustainable Urban Farming Development Policies in Makassar City

The development of urban farming and agriculture has been conducted by marginal communities. However, the role of the agricultural sector in the economic structure of Makassar city remains relatively small. This study aims to analyze the network structure of sustainable urban farming development policies in Makassar. Qualitative research methods were used in this study. Data collection methods included observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The data sources consisted of primary and secondary data, while data analysis was performed using an interactive method. The informants in this study were stakeholders directly involved in sustainable urban farming development policies. The results of this study show that the network structure in the development of sustainable urban farming policies in Makassar is not fully effective. This is because of the contact dimension, and the duration of contact between actors is still erratic, uneven, and unclear. In the trust dimension, there is still no written agreement or agreement on the development of sustainable urban farming in Makassar city that binds the actors involved. Meanwhile, the dimensions of information sharing and resource exchange dimensions in sustainable urban farming development policies in Makassar city have been progressing well.&#x0D; Keywords: network structure, policy, development of urban farming

The Impact of Indonesia Green Economy in Masterplan for Future Urban Farming Indonesia

Indonesia is an agrarian country with 38.70 million people working in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors, accounting for 28.61% of the total workforce. With a contribution of 12.98 percent to the GDP, agriculture is one of the crucial economic sectors in Indonesia. However, rapid urban development has reduced the vegetable supply, and urban farming in cities can be a solution by utilizing community yards to meet food needs, reduce household expenses, and increase farmer income. Utilizing community yards to meet food needs, reduce household expenses, and increase farmer income, urban farming in cities can be a solution. The research method employs a normative juridical approach, examining elements in positive law and making comparisons with other countries. Based on this approach, the study indicates that amid food issues and a declining interest in farming, Indonesia needs an urban farming program, but the current implementation of the program is not optimal. Therefore, the Indonesia Masterplan for Future Urban Farming (IM-for-FUF) is introduced as an innovation expected to better support the implementation of the green economy within the framework of positive law for sustainable economics in Indonesia. One effort to enhance food availability and environmental quality is the IM-for-FUF. Additionally, the farming concept is unique as it utilizes existing areas, eliminating the need for extensive space. By supporting IM-for-FUF, communities can acquire new skills and knowledge about farming, positively impacting the environment by utilizing the surrounding areas.

City farms as a tool for improving the food security of the Russian Federation under sanctions pressure

Currently, there is a need to find alternative sources of food supplies in the context of sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, and one of the most effective options is the creation of city farms. Previously, agriculture was carried out only on traditional land, but with the advent of a new direction, such as city farming, agriculture began to undergo changes and gain popularity. City farms are an innovative approach, where beds are grown in several tiers above each other, which allows you to achieve a higher yield compared to traditional agricultural methods. Moreover, artificial intelligence plays an important role in growing plants, which is especially relevant and modern these days. The article analyzes the possibility of increasing food production in cities, thanks to the use of technologies that allow growing vegetables and fruits on a relatively small area. The project examines the advantages and disadvantages of various city farm systems, as well as assessing their effectiveness from a production, economic and environmental point of view. The results of the study allow us to draw conclusions about the advisability of using city farms in the Russian Federation as a factor in increasing food security under sanctions pressure.