The benefits of urban farming help both the community and the farmer. Urban farming is the practice of growing crops in a city. Indoor farms, rooftop greenhouses, vertical farms, living (edible) walls, and community gardens are all examples of urban farms. While a typical farm is frequently located distant from the community it serves, urban farms thrive on their accessibility to consumers. The benefits of urban farming extend beyond ensuring a consistent supply of food for residents and their neighborhoods.
1) Urban farming has made fresh and nutritious food more accessible to city dwellers.
Many urban families can now enjoy an unlimited variety of nutritious foods without incurring export taxes. Residents can purchase fresh produce such as green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, sweet fruits, fresh herbs, and poultry meats at more affordable prices through local markets. The majority of urban gardens grow common vegetables such as lettuce, green peppers, beans, tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, kale, and spinach. This results in more nutritious home-cooked meals for the family, as everything is within easy reach.
2) Contributes to a decrease in the unemployment rate
Urban agriculture creates additional job opportunities for a large number of people. As with the corporate world, urban agriculture requires highly skilled individuals to operate at peak efficiency. Job opportunities are given to individuals who possess the necessary skills and interests. For the community and its residents, this is a win-win situation. Urban farming has the ability to transform people’s lives. It generates employment for a sizable portion of their population. Generally, jobs are distributed to less fortunate families within the community and neighbouring cities. Additionally, people create profitable businesses to support their lifestyles.
3) Conserves and maximises available space
Urban farming makes the most of limited space by utilising innovative techniques such as vertical farming. These cutting-edge systems make the most of every available space, whether public or private. Additionally, urban agriculture encompasses everything from balcony gardening to rooftop greenhouses. Additionally, you can farm in your garage or any spare room in your house. Even if your space is quite small, you’ll quickly discover that it has the potential to produce as much food as traditional farming. Vertical Harvest is an excellent example. They were one of the first and largest commercial vertical farms in the world. The entire operation occupies a tenth of an acre and produces the same amount of produce as traditional farming does on a five-acre plot.
4) Contributes to the local economy
Economic transactions are also becoming more frequent. These initiatives generate additional jobs and revenue for local businesses. For instance, a growing number of restaurants are embracing the concept of purchasing locally sourced products. For one thing, it provides them with more nutritious and fresh food. Additionally, they establish direct contact with urban farmers and producers in order to negotiate better deals and conduct business. Demand for locally produced food will also increase, resulting in increased employment opportunities within the community. Additionally, increased economic activity on a local level will keep profit circulating within the community.
5) Contributes to the creation of a more sustainable world
Numerous people are migrating from rural areas to urban areas. As a result of this trend, more foods from farms must travel a great distance before reaching consumers’ plates. Additionally, conventional farms consume more energy and money. This is where urban gardening can assist.Locally grown food requires less transportation, which has a positive impact on the environment. Additionally, by sourcing produce locally, we reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption.Urban farming revitalises a community’s economic growth. Simultaneously, it contributes to a more sustainable future for everyone. In a nutshell, urban agriculture contributes to the reduction of the world’s “foodprint” by assisting not only the community, but also the entire world.
6) Brings Innovation
Urban agriculture teaches residents to be more inventive. It enables them to exercise their critical thinking skills and devise more efficient methods for growing more food in limited gardening space. It is a fact that cities were not built for traditional agriculture. And now, urban farmers are experimenting with novel approaches to dealing with limited space.
7) Contributes to the development of a strong community
Finally, urban agriculture unites a diverse community around a shared interest. Not only does urban farming increase people’s access to food, it also engages them in growing their own. This way, they form a stronger bond with agriculture. The majority of urban agriculture projects require social organisations to facilitate the meeting of individuals who share a common interest. It fosters genuine relationships between citizens, both children and adults. It is critical to educate the public about the benefits of urban farming in our daily lives. It is a significant movement that educates us about the true nature of the urban ecosystem.
Consider a garden composed of fresh leafy vegetables and herbs rather than grass. Combine this with an aquarium of edible fish rather than goldfish and guppies. That is urban agriculture!
