Authors: Ahmad Awaludin Mufid, Arnentis, Mike Damayanti, and Shofana Erimalata

Reviewers: Dwi Martutiningrum, Farid Al-Firdaus, and Nur Zahroh Hamidah

The Future of Indonesia

The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) estimates that Indonesia’s population will reach more than 300 million people by 2045, of which more than 60% are expected to live in urban areas (Ministry of PAN-RB, 2022). Meeting food needs in urban areas is increasingly difficult because agricultural land is increasingly limited which causes dependence on food supplies from outside the city (Gultom & Harianto, 2022). Transportation of foodstuffs from outside cities leaves a carbon footprint and creates inefficiencies in foodstuffs, especially perishable vegetables (FAO, 2020; Ministry of National Development Planning / Bappenas, 2021b). Circular economy is a new economic practice in sustainable practices as an effort to overcome resource scarcity by using the principle of material circulation and the practice of material reuse or recycling (De Melo et al., 2022). The integration of urban farming with the circular economy concept can support the pillars of sustainable and inclusive economic development in accordance with the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045 to achieve an advanced and prosperous Indonesia in a sustainable manner.

Why Urban Farming and Circular Economy?

Urban areas face major environmental challenges posed by population expansion, climate change, and resource depletion. Urban areas are directed to use sustainable production and consumption strategies by adopting circular economy principles of removing waste and pollution from design, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. By adopting these principles can be built a circular economy system for food consisting of: growing food sources regeneratively, and locally where possible, maximizing food use, designing and marketing healthier food products (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2019; Mohan et al., 2020).

One of the practices used in growing food sources regeneratively and locally in urban areas is urban farming.Urban farming is an agricultural practice that uses all available resources in the city by providing food sources for local communities and has an impact on socio-economic aspects (Orsini et al., 2013). Urban farming helps reduce the environmental impact of food distribution by shortening supply chains and reducing CO₂ emissions during transportation (FAO, 2020). Urban farming can improve access to healthy food locally and support local economies through farmers markets, thus it becomes a sustainable approach to this realm. 

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia formulated one of the strategies to achieve food security, namely developing urban farming, especially horticultural food for urban communities. Urban farming that is well managed by millennial farmers can help improve the nation’s food security, even though production is not carried out on a large scale (Ministry of National Development Planning / Bappenas, 2021a). Urban farming can be done on open land or integrated with permanent buildings that have been established such as rooftop greenhouses, indoor farming, vertical farming, and so on (Santo et al., 2016).

The selection of horticultural crops in the urban farming implementation strategy is closely related to Indonesia’s high dependence on horticultural food imports, such as garlic, shallots, and chilies (Ministry of National Development Planning / Bappenas, 2019). This import need is also influenced by the consumption level of the three horticultures.

Chili consumption in Indonesia, especially large chilies and cayenne peppers, fluctuated, but increased by 3.04% during 2010-2021 (Ministry of Agriculture, 2022a). In addition to chili, shallots are also an agricultural commodity needed by the Indonesian people even though the price is unstable every year. During 2010-2021, the level of shallot consumption increased by 1,497% per year, but is predicted to decrease in 2022 and increase again in 2023 and 2024 (Ministry of Agriculture, 2022a). In addition, garlic consumption in Indonesia also showed an increase during 2010-2021 of 3.96% per year and is predicted to continue to increase every year (Ministry of Agriculture Pusdatin, 2022b).

Urban farming practices can help improve resource use efficiency, reduce negative impacts on the environment, increase food independence in urban areas, and support local economies. Products produced from urban farming such as vegetables and fruits can be sold directly to local communities or to restaurants and food stores, thus reducing dependence on food supplies from outside the city and supporting the local economy. The organic waste produced can be processed into organic fertilizer and reused in growing plants so that the use of chemical fertilizers can be reduced or even eliminated. This practice reduces negative impacts on the environment and increases the efficiency of resource use (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2019; Mohan et al., 2020).

Urban farming practices can also help reduce food loss and waste (FLW). A study conducted by Bappenas with Waste4Change and the World Resource Institute shows that the amount of FLW in 2000-2019 in Indonesia was 115-184 kg/capita/year with vegetable crops being the least efficient in their utilization (Ministry of National Development Planning / Bappenas, 2021b). 

Urban Farming Practices in Indonesia

One of the regions that already has an urban farming policy in Indonesia is DKI Jakarta which has an urban agricultural design in 2018-2030 with the final target in the form of: Urban Agriculture Bylaws, 30% productive green open space, 30% increase in production, 1,000 product certifications, and urban agricultural products for national and international. Beside DKI Jakarta, Surabaya and Bogor are cities that have implemented urban farming initiatives and received recognition for their efforts, such as Surabaya’s Food Farm program and the Bogor Gardening movement, which not only improve food security but also provide income opportunities for the local community, as evidenced by Surabaya’s Food Security Care Award in 2022 and Bogor’s recognition by the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) at the Urban Forum 20.

Strategies and Recommendations

Urban farming can meet urban food security factors, namely food availability, food access, and food quality (Eigenbrod & Gruda, 2015). Government policy on urban development design is needed for the sustainability of urban agriculture and maintaining the balance of urban agriculture, especially in developing countries which have an impact on employment opportunities for their people (Eigenbrod & Gruda, 2015). The following recommendation points are summarized so that they can be a proposal for the implementation of a comprehensive urban farming policy from the selection of targeted crop types to post-harvest management.

1. Horticultural Crops

Vegetable crops were chosen because they became a key commodity in urban agriculture and contributed to global food security. Urban horticulture practices are increasing globally by 100 million people with a potential yield of almost 50 kg/m2 per year (Eigenbrod & Gruda, 2015).

2. Shared Land

The use of shared agricultural land is suitable to be applied in developing countries, especially for poor groups because it provides land subsidies and is able to meet the nutrition of these groups (Eigenbrod &; Gruda, 2015). The Government of the Republic of Indonesia already has regulations on the provision of green open space as in the Regulation of the Minister of Public Works Number 05 / PRT / M / 2008 concerning Guidelines for the Provision and Utilization of Green Open Space in Urban Areas, the creation of green open space areas can be made in the yard area of residents’ houses and the creation of RTH areas at the RT and RW levels. RTH areas at the household, RT and RW levels can be made keyhole gardens (KGH), which are circular gardens surrounded by stones with easier maintenance, besides that the KGH concept is closely related to permaculture practices (Mohan et al., 2020).

Urban communities can adopt permaculture practices applied by indigenous Papuans in an effort to maintain food security (Putra, 2020), of course, by adjusting the landscape of the urban environment.

3. Integration with Other Life Sectors

Effective communication can help promote and involve communities in urban farming activities (Wijaya et al., 2022). Urban farming can be implemented in learning materials in schools (Nasruddin et al., 2016), this is supported by Eigenbrod & Gruda’s (2015) statement if the integration of urban farming into the education and social sectors can improve nutrition and food security. A study conducted by Marchesi & Tweed (2021) shows that social innovation in people living in public housing is beneficial in the circular economy of urban communities. Horticultural experts are needed in developing and implementing urban farming so as to create sustainable and quality urban agriculture (Eigenbrod & Gruda, 2015).

4. Strengthening Postharvest Marketing System

Nasruddin et al. (2022) stated that urban farming is a profitable program in Indonesia because it has an impact on the community economy in the community, quality food providers, and improving environmental quality. A quality harvest marketing system is useful in preventing food loss & waste and plays a role in the circular economy process. The government can provide assistance in making MSMEs or cooperatives to regulate logistics activities related to urban farming practices, from the procurement of infrastructure facilities to the marketing of crops.

5. National Dashboard Monitoring

The government needs to create and manage a dashboard that integrates information on the implementation of urban farming in cities throughout Indonesia, where urban farming activities are regularly monitored and evaluated to observe their impact on the local economy and to learn from successes and failures for better implementation in the future. The dashboard also includes national-scale awards held periodically to encourage consistent and sustainable implementation of these activities.

Conclusion

Integrating urban farming with a circular economy system has the potential to support the nation’s food security. The implementation of urban farming requires a clear strategy and planning to be successful and can be applied sustainably. The government plays an important role in making public policies and cooperates with educational institutions, the private sector and the community in making and implementing urban farming programs.

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