Urban Farming helps in the production of food in a large quantity. Furthermore, with the new cultivation technologies in and around urban areas, individuals have been reconnecting to agribusiness by developing food themselves and visiting farmers’ business sectors. This quickly creates and possibly sustains networks and sets out financial doors open. That’s why, urban agriculture has been well known for quite a long time.
Today urban agribusiness exists in many structures, like local areas and gardens, roof and gallery cultivation, filling in empty parcels, stopping the rundown.
What is Urban Farming?
In Urban Farming India, crops mainly grow fruits, vegetables and other food crops to sell in the market. Sometimes urban farming is confused with homesteading, urban gardening or subsistence farming. It supports the economy, individuals and community in different ways. You can get fresh fruits, veggies, and others that promote a healthy lifestyle from urban farming. Along with this, it helps create income generation and small business growth. The main feature of urban agriculture is making fresh food more reasonable. Therefore, it is slightly trending and becoming an essential part of society.
It provides benefits to society from production to distribution. The benefits differ based on the type of urban agriculture. It consists of institutional, personal consumption, educational, non profit or for profit. Successful urban farming requires dedicated commitment and planning. But, pollution and space are significant challenges for urban agriculture but developing new farming technologies, and strategies motivate them. On the other hand, urban farmers can easily quickly supply fresh produce to the nearest supermarkets and local restaurants.
Factors Involved in Urban Agriculture
Following are 4 factors affecting urban farming. Therefore, check out below.
- Technology and technique
- Environment
- Economy
- Society
Urban Farming Smart City Mission
In India, you can find urban farming in many cities, such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. In cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Chennai, indirect or direct use of waste water is popularly done in urban and also in peri urban farming. But, the use of waste water which is untreated, is not allowed for irrigation for public health reasons. But, yields are higher for irrigation by untreated domestic waste water as it contains nitrates.
10 Types of Urban Farming
Are you excited to know the types of Urban Agriculture? Then check out here, we are showing types of urban farming which you can do to earn a lot of money. Have a look down below.
1. Backyard Gardens
Backyard Garden farming is a type of urban farming carried out on the house property to grow food. The grown food is shared among neighbors, friends and family if it is surplus in the harvest. Additionally, it can be preserved and stored. Backyard farming is essential as it invents new farming methods that lead to better production.
2. Street Landscaping
In this type of urban farming, grass, landscaping, street trees, vegetation and others are produced in the private streets in the society or community. Street landscaping provides food to the society or area and looks beautiful. In addition, it creates a clean environment and purifies the air as they are grown on the streets, which helps in reducing urban stormwater runoff.
3. Vertical Farms
Vertical farming is the practice of producing crops vertically stacked. It also provides controlled environment farming. Vertical farming aims to optimize crop growth. You can also call it soilless farming techniques like aquaponics, aeroponics and hydroponics. These all come under urban farming techniques.
4. Forest Gardening
Forest gardening is the practice of having grown gardens in the urban forest. In this type, different types of crops are produced. Like vegetables and fruits are grown in an urban setting. In the forest, you can find a favorable environment for crop production. It also encourages afforestation, and it is important to fight against increasing global warming in urban areas.
5. Rooftop Gardens
It is a garden on the rooftop of a building. Rooftop gardens provide temperature control, architectural enhancement, corridors for wildlife, habitats, and recreational opportunities with decorative benefits. But, most importantly, rooftop gardens offer food. So recently, it has been a trending method of urban farming.
6. Green Walls
Vertically built structures on the wall intentionally covered by fruits and vegetables are known as green walls. As, it includes vertically applied growth mediums like hydroculture, soil and substitute substrate. This type of urban farming is also Known carried out in a limited space, using soil from the wall.
7. Urban Beekeeping
In urban areas, keeping bee colonies practice is known as urban beekeeping It is also known as backyard beekeeping or hobby beekeeping. Along with this, it is said that bees from the city are healthier and more productive.
8. Greenhouse
It is a method of producing crops and vegetables in a greenhouse. Greenhouse farming helps farmers to increase their yield and performance with improved quality. Moreover, it protects pants from external threats like pests and extreme weather. Greenhouse farming includes the practice of agriculture in commercial, residential and communal urban spaces. Hence, greenhouse farming is also a great idea for urban farm business.
9. Aquaponics
It is a system of food production. In aquaponics, fish raised in water tanks. In these tanks, plants also grown, and the waste from the fish gives manure to the plants. With this, plants keep the water clean. So, it is an effective way to protein alternative and reaping crops.
10. Animal Husbandry
Management, controlled cultivation and production of domestic animals, are known as animal husbandry. It also includes the improvement of qualities by breeding animals. Animals raised for the utility of meat, milk, fiber, eggs and others. Hence, the most popular animals that can be raised are rabbits, goats, sheep, poultries and others.
Major Urban Farming Crops
We are showing the major crops of urban farming. So, have a look down below.
- Avocados
- Strawberries
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Green beans
- Salad greens
- Garlic greens
- Peas
- Jalapeno peppers
- Radishes and many more.
How to Start Urban Farming?
So, if you want to start an urban farming business, then you have to follow some steps properly to achieve the goal. For those steps, check out below.
- Firstly, come out and start asking people about urban farming.
- Now, you have to find an area for cultivation or urban farming. The area must be appropriate.
- The main point is that you have to fix your budget.
- Then make a schedule for urban agriculture.
- Now, start farming anywhere you want, in the backyard, street or other preferable places.
- The job not done yet, and now you have to keep innovating or creative for high yield. The hard job provides you with the fruit or vegetables of your own farm.
- Additionally, staying updated about farming is a last and crucial step.
Why is Urban Farming Important?
Check out below the urban farming benefits in India.
- Economical useful
- Social Advantage
- Cultural Advantages
- Nutritional Advantages
- Food and Health Advantages
- Skill building
- Job training Advantages
- Environmental Advantages
What are The Disadvantages of Urban Farming?
- Space Scarcity
- Reservation of Government
- Initial it’s discouraging
- Need to purchase new soil
- Lack of experience and knowledge
- Water Scarcity
- Pollution
- Agriculture Chemicals
Urban Farming Startups India
We are presenting some amazing urban farming ideas of Indian farmers which are trending. You can take ideas from them and start your own urban farms. So, check out below.
1. Startup – Growing Green
Founders – Hamsa V and Nitin Sagi
2. Startup – UGF Farming
Founder – Linesh Pillai
3. Startup – Homecrop
Founders – Krishna Reddy and Sharmila Reddy
4. Startup – Pindfresh
Founders – Somveer Singh Anand
5. Startup – Living Food Company
Founders – Akash K Sajith
So, these are all about the need for urban agriculture in India. I hope you understand the importance of urban farming. For further information, stay connected with Tractor Junction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Que. Is urban farming profitable?
Ans. Urban farming is profitable as it provides fresh air in metropolitan areas with delicious organic fruits and veggies.
Que. What is an example of urban farming?
Ans. Microgreens and edible mushrooms are the popular examples of urban farming.
Que. How can urban farming help communities?
Ans. Urban farming provides fresh air, fruits, veggies, sustainable environment and also other things to the communities.
Related Blog
Top 10 Methods to Improve Farming Productivity
Intensive Farming in India
