What is urban farming?
- Growth in urban Farming –
Over the last decade or so, there has been a growth in interest in urban farming. Urban farming is a much diffused term and consequently many initiatives such as community gardening, homesteading, subsistence farming, vegetable landscaping, hydroponic farming have all to be subsumed under the umbrella term of urban agriculture or farming.
The Global Urban Farming Market revenue is $210 billion by 2017 and forecasted to grow at a CAGR of more than 1.99% during 2018 to 2023 to reach $236.4 billion.
- Does Urban Farming for leisure or horning your skills count?
Broadly, urban farming is farming that takes place in an urban setting, either a home, terrace or garden or a neighborhood community space, situated in a city, and the produce is sold commercially. So, farming for leisure, personal consumption, recreational purposes or as an alternate life style would not typically come under urban farming. In this strenuous industry we won’t count urban farming as a leisure aspect.
Although some urban farming initiatives are set up for educating or training a community of urban farmers or people, this too has an implicit commercial or economic goal, viz to either improve farming efficiencies of existing farmers by upgrading their skills or creating livelihood opportunities in a particular region. For lifestyle and culture learning urban farming is a crucial aspect.
- Why Urban Farming?
Rising awareness and education, rising income levels, larger housing apartments, entrepreneurial spirit and risk taking, a need to align one’s lifestyle (including eating and growing habits) with ones values, beliefs and world view, a need for more control over ones food supply chain or food system and its quality, a need for a relationship with what one produces and consumers and so on.
Urban farming has many benefits to individuals as well to entire communities and neighborhoods. It can create livelihoods, increase income levels in the community, create jobs, promote healthier lifestyles, generate a greater feeling of empowerment and control over what one consumes, and also create a sense of belonging in the community.
- The way to start Urban Farming?
One doesn’t need to have large tract of land in order to start urban farming. One can start an urban farm on ones terrace, garden, rooftop, on a landfill, brownfield, a community neighborhood area where housing or industry or parking system may have been demolished. Size or placement of the plot is of no consequence. One doesn’t need to a corporation to start an urban farm. An individual, a couple of friends, a nonprofit entity, or neighborhood group can start and run an urban farm.
- Does zone play a crucial part in urban farming?
City zones play a crucial role in urban farming. Zones decide what kind of crops one may grow, whether animals can be part of the operation, what kind of equipment one is allowed to have and whether one can have a retail shop in the premises or not. The production and sales of produce, whether urban or rural is a regulated activity, as it implicates the health and safety of people. Your zone of working in different environments is another metric towards performance.
- Kern Seed Tech Products for Urban Farming?
One ‘crop’ that is fast becoming popular with urban farmers is exotic herbs. Exotic herbs are an array of herbs one can choose from that add delectable flavors as well as exotic fragrance and distinct aromas to your meal. Exotic herbs are also healthy to consume. Some exotic herbs include thyme, celery, lemon grass, kale, basil, sage, cherry tomato, rosemary, oregano and others. Many of these exotic herbs have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. These herbs will avail you to confer a healthy and delicious meal.
View our products at: https://kernseedtech.com/collections/field-crops
- What type of eatables can be grown through urban farming?
Urban farmers can grow vegetables, flowers, tea, fruit, root crops, grains, herbs and medicinal plants, or purely ornamental plant varieties. Another option allied to urban farming but beyond is that of adding value to the produce that you have raised. This would include transforming the raw produce into health foods, precooked meals and breakfast, personal care products, or even craft products.
- Urban Farming Business intent –
To start an urban farming business, you don’t necessarily need a background in urban farming. You need to educate yourself and need resources. Being a ‘green thumb’ would certainly help! As mentioned before, urban farming is characterized by a commercial intent. Start-up expenses for an urban farm can vary widely depending on location because many of the components such as location, size, type of produce, site preparation and allied equipment and infrastructure needed. Some instances of urban farming may need storage equipment, coolers, some may need high tunnels etc. depending on the kind of produce. How much does it cost to start an urban farm? Starting cost of a small farm are between 600-10000$ and more. The cost greatly depends on your expectations, equipment, how much manual labor and time you want to put into it, and if you already own a property or just want to rent one. People can also pursue urban farming as a business venture If you don’t wish to engage in comprehensive farming venture, you could alternately also provide seedlings and compost. With a growing market for environmentally friendly products and services, many are starting to look.
As there is a rising awareness and demands for organic produce and the number of health conscious consumers is on the rise, urban farming can increasingly serve this unserved market. The future for urban farming seems ‘green’ and bright!
However, it is mandatory to get an Indian organic certificate that certifies the products following the national standards. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) certificate makes it compulsory for the owners to obtain third-party certification for export.
