For most of us, the terms ‘agriculture’ and ‘farming’ are associated with wide open fields, idyllic rural settings and villages. Therefore the term ‘urban agriculture’ really does seem contradictory. But, is it really?

What is urban agriculture?

Perhaps a detailed definition is not necessary here! The term urban agriculture denotes all agricultural activities that take place within an urban area. There is also peri-urban agriculture which covers the areas within the rural-urban areas.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are around 200 million urban farmers in the world. Given the fact that urbanisation is on the rise everywhere, it stands to logic that more and more people should explore ways in which they can be sustainable about fresh produce and grow them nearer their locatio

There are quite a few ways to create urban farms:

• Vertical spaces
• Greenhouses
• Location specific - rooftop / terrace / backyard / patio gardens
• Allied activities - aquaponics, apiaries, animal husbandry to name a few

Benefits of urban farming

Most city dwellers do not have access to greenery. You either have to drive to a nearby park or get out of the city to enjoy some fresh air. Getting healthy and chemical-free produce is also something that is important to most people. Having an array of pots and produce can therefore meet your needs of fresh produce and put a bit of greenery within your living space. 

There are  other benefits to urban agriculture as well:

• Builds a sense of community - especially when the farming is done on a slightly larger scale than one’s home!
• Improves nutrition levels - by putting fresh produce within arm’s reach
• Return to Nature - gives city-dwellers an opportunity to reconnect with nature in the simplest manner possible
• Fosters innovation - given the paucity of physical space, innovations like vertical farming are popular

Indian scenario

There are quite a few people who are making a difference in the urban farming space. For instance, Urban Green Fate (UGF) Farms and its founder Linesh Pillai focus on turning unused spaces into food gardens. And Somveer Singh Anand uses hydroponics to encourage people to turn to healthier produce.

Community farms on the fringes of cities are also popular ways in which urban farming is practiced. For instance, Dream Grove has come up within an 800-sq ft space in Mumbai’s public park. Kerala is another state in which community led farms thrive. Apps like Farmizen help in renting farmland to city dwellers who can then grow their own produce. Imagine having your very own mini-field to grow your favourite vegetables and fruit!

There are certain challenges associated with urban farming - higher production costs, for instance. But with more and more people turning to the same it should be just a matter of time before this kind of farming becomes a widely accepted choice. 

#InterestingInfo

• New York, Milan, Copenhagen and Riyadh are some of the places focusing on creating urban farms and other green spaces within their city limits.
• In 1893, Detroit allotted patches of land for people to cultivate potatoes and these pieces of land came to be known as ‘Pingrees Potato Patches’ after the Mayor who came up with this scheme