Urban Farming

Urban Farming

Name

Institution

Urban Farming

Urban farming is the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals around or in cities. It involves integration of farming into urban ecological and economic systems as opposed to rural farming that occurs entirely in farms away from cities. It also utilizes urban resources including labor, water and compost where urban residents, wastewater and organic waste serve the roles respectively. Urban farming also targets consumers in the urban areas; has both beneficial and harmful effects on the food system; competes for space with other urban activities, and urban plans and policies affect it in one way or the other (Boland, 2005).

Urban farming is carried out in various places where land is available including in the city or intra-urban, and its outskirts or peri-urban. The areas can either be on-plot meaning that farming occurs in the homestead or off-plot where farming is done away from residential areas. Farming is also practiced on public land, which includes conservation areas, parks, riverside, along railways and roads, and on private land, which includes either leased or owned land. Semi-public land includes hospital and school grounds or playing fields. Mainly, residents in the lower and mid-levels of income practice urban farming, but some few affluent residents may venture into it as a form of investment. A majority of those in urban farming is women because the activity easily fits into their daily household chores. However, residents with demanding careers such as those involving travel and long working hours may not thrive in urban farming. Farmers in urban farming include small and middle-level farms, groups, cooperatives, individuals, and commercial enterprises. The level of technology applied in urban farming has not been advanced since the scale of production is low, but there are future prospects to advance with increased production (Boland, 2005).

The main food products of urban farming include fruits, root crops such as potatoes, vegetables, grains and mushrooms while animals include rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry, fish, cattle, sheep, and goats (Stordahl, 2012). Medicinal herbs, tree products, ornamental plants, and aromatic herbs are non-food products also cultivated in urban lands. However, urban farmers prefer cultivating perishable and high-value crops, animals and by-products such as milk because they have a ready market. Economic activities that constitute urban farming include marketing and processing activities, service deliveries, non-governmental organizations, micro-enterprises, and farm inputs such as compost. There is a close relationship between production and marketing in urban farming as compared to rural farming because of proximity and fast flow of resources. Most of the produce is for self-consumption, but there is normally an excess that is sold off to supermarkets, the farm gate, local shops, and intermediaries. Fresh produce is mainly sold, but some of it is cooked, processed for domestic use, or packaged for sale to various outlets (Veenhuizen, 2006).

Urban farming has numerous benefits to individuals and the nation as a whole. Firstly, it assures a constant food supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish to the local consumers. Residents have the power of food security in their hands, which creates a sense of empowerment and independence. In turn, it eradicates hunger and poverty because people produce enough food for consumption and can rake in some income from excess produce, which is sold to local outlets. Farming and processing of the produce creates employment opportunities for some residents, which greatly reduces poverty. It also enhances harmony among members of the community as families and communities come together to pursue a common goal of producing food for the benefit of all. Urban farming also makes immense contribution to environmental sustainability since it improves the beauty of the city by making the streets green. It also helps in supplying fresh and quality air and water; thus, improving the urban ecology. Since urban farming utilizes wastewater and organic waste, it helps in reducing pollution and the need for water treatment (Veenhuizen, 2006). In addition, the city’s biodiversity is improved since the farms serve as a habitat for wildlife such as amphibians, insects, and wild plants.

By contrast, urban farming also has its downside. Legal aspects governing city zoning and aesthetic may put off farmers from practicing urban farming because heavy penalties may be imposed. Urban farming also contributes to water pollution because farmers use chemicals that may be toxic to nearby water bodies. There are also high costs involved in starting up and running the enterprise, which may be unfavorable to low-income earners. Compost manure used in urban farming or rotting produce could have an awful odor; thus polluting the environment and making living in the city unbearable (Stordahl, 2012).

Urban farming is a new trend that most cities have adopted with the aim of increasing food security and reducing food miles and poverty. The future of urban farming is bright as it will continually grow with the growth and expansion of cities since it is a fundamental part of the urban ecosystem. It is not likely to disappear with the rural immigrants who may shift or lose their home with time since the rural residents did not invent it. It has numerous benefits that greatly outweigh its disadvantages; thus, it is a sure venture for both domestic and commercial food production.

References

Boland, J. (2005). Urban agriculture: Growing vegetables in cities. Agromisa Foundation. Retrieved on 12 Dec. 2013 from http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/AD24.pdf

Stordahl, W. (2012). Urban agriculture articles – Growing your own foods in the city. FastStart Real Estate Services. Retrieved on 12 Dec. 2013 from http://www.realestate.com/advice/urban-agriculture-articles-growing-your-own-foods-in-the-city-36063/

Veenhuizen, R. (Eds.). (2006). Cities farming for the future: Urban agriculture for green and productive cities. Ottawa, ON: IDRC.