Effectiveness of Facebook groups in enhancing the capacity of rooftop gardeners

Abstract Rooftop farming is a modern way of growing food in cities that uses unused rooftop spaces to promote local food production. A lack of knowledge and limited access to technical assistance are major obstacles that hinder the practice. Furthermore, traditional agricultural extension services currently provide insufficient incentives to encourage this practice. These limitations, however, can be addressed by providing real‐time information and support through social media platforms such as Facebook. This study investigates the extent to which Facebook supports the information needs of rooftop gardeners within the framework of virtual communities of practice. It also seeks to assess the perceived usefulness of information shared in Facebook groups for enhancing the capacity of rooftop gardeners. Data were collected from 120 rooftop gardeners in Bangladesh through an online survey administered via Google Forms and distributed across two popular Facebook groups. Findings indicate that information sharing in Facebook groups assists rooftop gardeners in planning, acquiring, and utilizing resources, carrying out intercultural operations, and determining optimal harvesting and storage practices. Overall, Facebook can play a significant role in bridging the information gap among rooftop gardeners and in enhancing their skills. Moreover, it represents a valuable resource for urban dwellers interested in engaging in rooftop gardening.