Technology has paved the way for many breakthroughs. Among the most profound ones that have surprisingly yet to take center stage are the advent of urban agriculture and the mass adoption of urban farming techniques into major cities. As of current, most metropolitan areas still largely depend on conventional farming, and while some have taken steps forward, the shift has been minimal at the very most despite the guaranteed advantages this change can provide.
However, considering the less fortunate circumstances and the reality of still working our way through a middle of a global pandemic, there’s no better opportunity to implement effective change now, given that carbon emissions could spike alongside economic recovery. And so, today, we’ll be learning how urban agriculture can guarantee greener cities and other relevant advantages that support urban farming to become the new norm.
Urban Agriculture Maximizes Space and Creates Job Opportunities
Firstly, the implementation of urban agriculture into major cities can help maximize space that would have been otherwise unserviceable for any other activity, for example, rooftops, abandoned warehouses, and even commercial buildings at the heart of the city itself. Plus, emphasis and adoption of urban agriculture would also complement the growing jobs market, creating local job opportunities for individuals searching for sustainable livelihood.
- Commercial Vertical Farms and Containers: Commercial vertical farms and container-style urban farming methods can be easily placed in any location of a city because they are entirely self-sufficient. For example, innovative mushroom agriculture technology makes it possible to grow gourmet-standard products inside a controlled environment of a shipping container. And since most vertical farms and setups of this nature are naturally sustainable by design, you can expect bountiful yields all year round.
- Increased Demand for Agricultural Skills: The adoption of urban farming will also directly boost the agriculture sector and increase the demand for agricultural skills. As a result, the local economy will benefit from a more diverse workforce equipped with varying specialized competencies. This would also provide those heavily impacted by the adverse effects of COVID-19 with more accessible employment opportunities.
Boosts Local Economic Health and Sets Healthy Food Trends
Secondly, urban agriculture also possesses the capacity to boost local economic health and set healthy food trends that can pivot the local lifestyle toward a more healthy means of living. As the world slowly opens up and businesses can finally operate back to full swing, restaurants and startups will undoubtedly be searching for an immediate source of raw ingredients, given that global supply chains are still strained. Therefore, urban agriculture will complement both the creation of healthy communities and local economic uplift.
- Sustainable Partnerships Among Local Businesses: Strategic partnerships will foster success, especially during such troubling times. It is only through steadfast cooperation and collaboration where we can ensure long-term security during uncertainty. Urban farming will provide local businesses an immediate source of raw ingredients and a diverse selection of gourmet products, cutting back the costs to procure from farther locations and allowing both to come to a profitable agreement.
- Less Junk and More Greens in Diets: Urban farming has the direct benefit of adding more greens into everybody’s diets because the supply of healthy products would increase in proportion. Therefore, communities will have a more varied selection of spices and veggies to choose from on their next trip to the supermarket, increasing the chances of picking out greens instead of junk.
Improves Food Resiliency and Offsets Carbon Emissions
Lastly, if major cities incentivized more urban agriculture and urban farming businesses, this would drastically improve local food resiliency and offset carbon emissions, helping the city accomplish carbon neutrality. It’s no secret that metropolitan areas are infamously known for emitting a lot of carbon and causing prevalent pollution. Still, if we place urban farms in the heart of the city, the growing of veggies and spices can counterbalance any of the impurities.
- Accessible Source of Food: Although most of the modern world “appears” not to be afflicted by any pandemic-induced food shortage, we are experiencing food security problems on a global scale. In fact, you would’ve already noticed the ever-increasing prices of basic grocery items, and while the uptick in price tag has not been devastating, it does point out an underlying issue. However, with the help of urban farming, cities can at least rest assured, knowing they will have an accessible and affordable food source for the long term.
Cities Need to Promote Urban Agriculture
In conclusion, cities can benefit significantly from the promotion of urban agriculture, and since we are in an era of disruptive change and an apparent global reset, now’s the best opportunity to plant seeds for our long-term growth. We know how ambitious it may sound to piece together the bigger picture, but if we don’t strive for change now, then we might be too late when it suddenly counts.
