Dr. Banarsi Lal
Urban farming is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing of food in and around the urban areas. Unlike traditional farming, which predominantly occurs in rural areas, urban farming takes advantage of available spaces in cities, such as balconies, rooftops, community gardens and vacant lands. It is an innovative approach to address the challenges posed by urbanization, limited land availability and need for sustainable food production. It involves small scale agricultural operations. It is not a new concept. As human population progressed, agriculture was confined in the rural areas while urban population engaged itself in the trading activities. Natural disasters and acts of man such as war encouraged urban population to explore for the urban farming due to the disruption of food supply chain from the rural areas. This was happened in World War I and World War II when the city dwellers were encouraged to grow the food in their open spaces and reduced pressure on rural population. In recent times, former US First Lady, Mrs.Michelle Obama promoted the concept of kitchen garden. This garden has been located in the premises of White House. It was having a beehive and 55 varieties of fruits and vegetables. In present era, urban farming can ensure food security to the urban dwellers. It can cut down the carbon emission by saving the fuel which otherwise is used in the transportation of food items from rural to urban areas. Urban agriculture can reduce the poverty and health issues in the urban areas.
In 1950 the total population of world was 2.6 billion with 800 million in urban centres and 1.8 billion in rural areas. After 100 years e.i. by 2050 we expect 9.2 billion inhabitants with 6.3 billion living in urban areas and only 2.9 billion remaining in the countryside. There is dire need to concentrate on urban environment and food security for the growing population especially in urban areas. Urban agriculture is coming in limelight in the recent years. This has been felt because of (1) Physical and psychological in- and out-door relaxation for urban people (2) For improving the urban areas environment and (3) For food, income security and provide the fresh vegetables round the year for urban dwellers. According to the United Nations by 2050 more than two-third of population will live in the cities. Urban farming can play a significant role in proving the food to this population. In recent decades urbanization has increased rapidly and this has caused malnutrition in urban areas. There is dire need to pay attention on the food security especially for the urban dwellers. In urban areas there is pressure on the land due to population, construction of buildings, roads etc. But still there remains enough area where the fruits and vegetables can be grown. Moreover, people can grow fruits and vegetables on their roofs. In Singapore 90 per cent of the food is imported and vertical and now-a-days roof top gardening has become very popular. Roof top vegetables gardens provide the fresh organic vegetables. They also ensure a better living environment with cooler indoor temperature and fresh oxygen.
Urban farming plays significant role in ensuring food security in India’s urban areas. Urban farming has the potential for transforming our cities into greener, healthier and more self-sufficient spaces. By the urban agriculture, the unused land in the urban areas can be used effectively. Urban farming can improve the food security and nutrition for the urban dwellers. It lowers climate change impacts and also lowers stress. Urban dwellers are also showing keen interest in roof top vegetables gardening. One can use compost and vermicompost to prepare the fertile soil for the roof top vegetables garden. The soil is filled in the pots or grow bags to sow the seeds or seedlings of vegetables. After sowing the seeds the pots are covered with the plants leaves. The leaves act as the mulching material and help in conserving the moisture in the soil. Avoid over watering to the plants as it can rotten the seeds or seedlings. It is very easy to control the insect-pests and diseases in the roof top kitchen gardens. We can use organic inputs such as neem oil, neem cake, fermented butter milk, cow urine, panchgavya etc. in the roof top kitchen garden. Local food can be protected through roof top vegetables gardening. There is need to speed up the urban vegetables production so that fresh nutritious vegetables can be provided to the urban people. There is need of proper policy for urban agriculture so that it can be done in a scientific and systematic way. There should be proper management for the wastewater collection and its treatment in the urban areas. Urban farming connects us with nature and promotes sustainable living and foster a sense of community.
(The writer is Sr. Scientist and
Head of KVK, Reasi).