Even in the midst of buildings made of concrete and steel, city dwellers can now cultivate fresh produce thanks to the rapidly growing urban farming movement.
People who want to grow their own food and live a more healthy lifestyle have found that urban farming is a reasonable solution. Urban farming is attributed to the rise in urbanization as well as the huge growth in eco-friendly ways of life.
In this article, we will describe the basics of urban farming, the benefits of urban farming, as well as the different forms of urban farming.
What exactly is “urban farming”?
Urban farming is the method or way of cultivating and producing food in urban areas. Urban farming is also referred to as urban gardening, or urban agriculture. There are several systems or techniques to implement this method. Some of them are
Rooftop farming, hydroponics, and vertical farming which farmers employ to successfully cultivate their fruit and vegetables.
Advantages of Urban Farming
There are several advantages to urban farming, such as the following:
Fresh produce: urban residents now have access to fresh and healthy harvest, which is not always available in grocery stores.
Urban farming introduces people to a new and sustainable way of life. The neighborhood enjoys a cleaner air as it lowers the air pollution. Urban farming lowers carbon emissions and reduces the demand for the produce to be transported from rural areas to urban markets. Urban farming also helps to keep food miles to a minimum.
The growing and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables both contribute to a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of developing a variety of diseases.
Urban farming brings people closer together. It has the potential to serve as community gathering places, which has the effect of strengthening social ties and bringing more people together.
Different Varieties of Urban Farming
There are different distinct forms of urban agriculture, including the following:
Growing crops on rooftops, also known as rooftop farming, provides fresh produce for local markets while also helps insulate buildings and reduce heat absorption. Rooftop farming is becoming an increasingly popular trend.
The growing of plants without using soil is done through the practice of hydroponics.
Hydroponics technique enables farmers to cultivate crops in enclosed spaces and has applications in vertical farming.
Vertical farming is a technique used to produces crops in stacks rows of plants in order to make the most efficient use of available space and to boost crop yields.
Community gardens are shared spaces in which members of the community can come together to cultivate crops and share information with one another.
Agriculture that is practiced on the outskirts of urban areas is referred to as peri-urban agriculture. This type of farming can be helpful in supplying nearby cities with fresh produce.
Indoor farming, also known as controlled environment farming or greenhouse farming, is the practice of cultivating plants in enclosed spaces that are kept at a constant temperature and humidity level.
Conclusion
The practice of urban farming is on the rise and has the potential to offer numerous advantages to city dwellers.
Urban farming is an excellent way to live a healthier lifestyle while also promoting community building; benefits include access to fresh produce as well as a more sustainable way of life.
There are many resources available to help you get started on your journey towards urban agriculture, regardless of whether you are a novice or an experienced urban farmer. These resources can be found online and also here at FarmLima.
