Urban Farming in India: Meaning, Types, Process and Benefits

Table of Content

• Introduction
• What is Urban Farming?
• Types of Urban Farming in India
  • Rooftop Gardens
  • Vertical Farms
  • Backyard Gardens
  • Greenhouse
  • Forest Gardening
  • Street Landscaping
  • Green Walls
  • Aquaponics
  • Urban Beekeeping
  • Animal Husbandry
• What are the Benefits of Urban Farming?
• Popular Urban Farming Crops
• Process of Urban Farming
• Conclusion

Introduction

Urban farming in India is common today. It is also known as urban agriculture. It is the practice of producing food in huge quantities. With the constant innovation of new and latest technologies, people are rejoining agribusiness by producing food themselves and connecting with the businesses of different farmers. It develops and sustains networks and opens financial doors. That is the reason urban agriculture has been around for a long time now.

Urban agriculture exists in different forms nowadays, such as gardens and local areas, gallery, and roof plantations, filling vacant parcels, etc. In this blog, we will talk everything about urban farming in India.

What is Urban Farming?

It refers to the process of growing crops and rearing animals to produce food within the city. The practice may involve the processing of this food and then distributing it throughout the city. This farming practice may or may not be organic, but most examples of this type of farming are termed ‘sustainable.’

Urban farming in India is primarily the practice of growing vegetables, fruits and other food crops and then selling them in the market. Sometimes people confuse urban agriculture with urban gardening or subsistence farming, and homesteading.

It supports the community, individuals, and economy in various ways. It offers fresh vegetables, fruits and other things that help you live a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, it also creates a way to generate income and helps in the growth of small businesses.

The primary motive of urban agriculture in India is to make fresh vegetables and fruits more affordable. That is why urban farming is becoming a trending agriculture practice and an important part of society.

The history of such farming practise goes back to ancient civilisations. Some earlier known examples of urban farming can be traced back to ancient cities, such as Mesopotamia, where people used to grow crops inside the city.

Types of Urban Farming in India

In India, this farming has many types that can help you earn a lot of money. Some popular types in use in India are listed below:

Rooftop Gardens

In this type, a garden is developed on the rooftop of a building. There are various benefits of rooftop gardens in India, like temperature control, corridors for wildlife, recreational opportunities, architectural enhancements, and habitat.

One of the most important benefits of rooftop gardens is that they provide food. In recent times, rooftop gardens have become the latest and trending farming technique.

Vertical Farms

In vertical farms, the crops are generated in stacks which are placed vertically (one above the other). This type of farming also offers controlled environment farming.

The motive of vertical farming is to boost the growth of the crops. This farming technique is also called the soilless farming method, such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics. All these techniques fall in the category of urban farming.

Backyard Gardens

It is a type of farming method that can be practised on your residential property to develop food. The food developed through this farming technique can be shared among family, friends, and neighbours if there are leftovers of the food.

Moreover, the food can also be stored and preserved for long-term use. It is an important technique because it develops new farming techniques that further implies enhanced food production.

Greenhouse

In this farming technique, the fruits and vegetables are grown in a greenhouse. This type helps farmers enhance their crop production and performance with better quality.

This farming method also saves crops from external dangers and threats, such as bad weather conditions and pests. Greenhouse farming consists of agricultural practices in residential, commercial, and communal urban spaces.

Therefore, the greenhouse farming technique is an excellent method for urban farm business.

Forest Gardening

It is a practice of growing gardens in the urban forest. This farming practice develops various types of crops, such as fruits and vegetables, that are produced in urban settings.

Forests have a positive environment to produce crops. Forest gardening also promotes afforestation, and it is essential to fight against increasing global warming in urban locations.

Street Landscaping

In this farming technique, street trees, landscaping, grass, vegetation, and other things are grown on the private streets of society or community. This method offers food to an area or society, and it also looks beautiful. It is helpful in controlling pollution by purifying the area as they are developed on the streets.

Green Walls

These are vertical structures built on a wall which is intentionally covered by vegetables and fruits. It also features substitute substrate, soil, and hydroculture, which are vertically applied growth mediums. This urban farming technique can be done in a limited area using the soil from the walls.

Aquaponics

It is another urban farming technique of food production. In this technique, fish are grown in water tanks along with the plants. The waste from the fish provides essential nutrients to the plant for growth. In this way, the water remains clean.

Urban Beekeeping

Beekeeping colonies in urban areas are called urban beekeeping. It is also called hobby beekeeping or backyard beekeeping. It is said that urban beekeeping keeps the bees in the city healthier and more productive.

Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry is the process of controlled cultivation, management, and development of domestic animals. It also features quality improvements from the breeding animals.

In this farming technique, animals are raised for eggs, fibre, milk, meat, and more. Some popular animals that can be raised in animal husbandry are sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, and more.

What are the Benefits of Urban Farming?

There are more than 5 benefits of urban farming. Some benefits are listed below:

• Nutritional benefits
• Cultural benefits
• Social benefits
• Economically useful
• Skill building
• Environmental benefits
• Food and Health benefits
• Job training benefits

Popular Urban Farming Crops

In this section, we have listed some popular urban farming crops. Some of them are:

• Carrots
• Salad greens
• Cucumbers
• Avocados
• Garlic greens
• Jalapeno peppers
• Strawberries
• Green beans
• Radishes
• Peas and many more.

Process of Urban Farming

If you want to practice urban farming, you need to follow some steps, which are listed below:

• You need to get information about urban farming from the people.
• Now, search for suitable land for urban farming and cultivation.
• Finalise a budget for your urban farming business.
• Prepare a schedule for urban agriculture.
• Now, proceed with the urban farming techniques you have learned on the land you have selected for urban farming.
• You must keep innovating and be creative for a higher yield. It will help you improve the production of vegetables and fruits on your own land.
• Keep yourself updated with the latest farming ideas and techniques.

Conclusion

It was all about urban farming in India. We hope you learn everything about urban farming through this blog. If you need to learn more about various types of farming techniques, stay tuned with Tractorkarvan.