About Urban Farming

• Urban farming or urban agriculture refers to the practice of growing plants and raising animals for human consumption within cities and suburbs.  
• According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Urban farming contributes to food security, livelihood generation, poverty alleviation and increased resilience of cities to climate change.  

Methods of Urban Farming 

• Vertical farming refers to growing crops in vertically stacked layers to save space. They are in controlled, indoor environments where horticulturalists can maintain the ideal temperature, light, water, and nutrients. 
• Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, in a water-based nutrient solution. It allows for faster growth and higher yields than traditional soil-based growing systems. 
• Aquaponics is a combination of both Aquaculture and Hydroponics. Here, fish waste provides organic food for plants, which naturally filters the water, which is used to replenish the fish tank. 
• Aeroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, where roots are suspended in air and irrigated with a nutrient-dense mist. 
• Container farming is the process of growing plants in shipping containers instead of planting them in the ground. This type of gardening allows for easier monitoring of moisture, temperature, and sunlight. 
• Rooftop Gardening is essentially cultivating food on the rooftop of a building, residential complex, commercial space, etc.  

Concerns 

• Farming in cramped urban spaces marred by water scarcity and pollution may not be viable.. 
• Studies show that excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in urban farms can lower produce and affect soil quality. 
• There are food safety concerns regarding the use of wastewater in urban agriculture 
• There also exists the threat of diseases and lowered yields. 

Why in news?

• Urban farming is a crucial solution to address food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience in India.