1Department of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering & Post Harvest Technology, Ranipool, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India
2Department of Development and Sustainability, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
3Directorate of Instruction, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India
4Directorate of Research, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India
*Corresponding Author’s E-mail Address: gyurembam@gmail.com
Online Published on 08 August, 2025.
Factors like population growth, climate change, rural-urban migration and depletion of limited resources have significantly intensified demands placed on the food chain supply. Recently, urban farming has been receiving attention due to its potential to make a notable contribution to sustainable food production systems. To address the research gaps such as technology adoption factors, high cost, environmental benefits, geospatial data integration and policy framework etc., a systematic review of urban farming systems in the South and Southeast Asian countries was performed. Review was conducted using screening and exclusion-inclusion criteria based on the ‘preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis’ (PRISMA) method. The databases were taken from Scopus and Web of Science considering keywords such as ‘urban farming’, ‘vertical farming’, ‘food security’, ‘urban sustainability’, as well as various combinations thereof, focusing on the Southeast and South Asian countries. The review revealed that sustainability is a multi-dimensional factor in the context of urban farming, as it decreases the negative effects on environment and foster its long-term sustainability. Urban farming may help development of more sustainable food systems by increasing the efficiency of smart water usage and managing trash properly. The adoption of energy-efficient technologies powered by sustainable energy resources can play a crucial role in decreasing the carbon emissions associated with the operations of urban farming as well as urban self-sufficient food systems. Urban farming automation can facilitate the optimization of land exploitation and generation of increased yields per unit of land. Urban farming with the fusion of technological advancements have the ability to establish more self-reliant and ecologically conscious systems for producing food, thereby guaranteeing the welfare and food security of urban populations. This article will help innovative researchers, farmers and policy makers in advancing urban farming in an integrated and advancing manner toward sustainable food security.
Automation, Food security, PRISMA, Sustainability, Urban farming, Vertical farming
