Digitally-Driven Agroinnovation: Youth-Led Empowerment And Sustainable Hydroponics In A Suburban Indonesian Community

Abstract

As global challenges push communities to seek sustainable food systems and inclusive digital engagement, suburban regions often remain overlooked in both environmental innovation and digital empowerment. This study examines how youth-led digital literacy initiatives catalyze agroinnovation in the form of sustainable hydroponic farming in Mulung Village, a suburban community in East Java, Indonesia. The research explores how digital tools are integrated into local agricultural practices to promote environmentally friendly entrepreneurship and community-based resilience. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, data were collected over a one-year period through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. Thematic analysis followed Miles and Huberman’s interactive model, focusing on digital enablement, youth facilitation, and sustainability-oriented innovation. Findings reveal that digital literacy—when embedded within youth-led community networks—transforms hydroponic farming from a subsistence activity into a sustainable micro-enterprise. Digital platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram were repurposed as accessible marketing channels, while informal workshops nurtured ecological awareness and intergenerational knowledge sharing. This study advances the discourse on sustainable community development by linking digital empowerment with grassroots environmental innovation. It highlights the transformative potential of integrating agroecological practices with localized digital strategies in transitional suburban areas. The results offer practical insights for policy, education, and technology programs aimed at fostering digital sustainability and environmental stewardship among underserved populations.