It is called urban agriculture to agricultural practices taking place in the cities or very close to them. Therefore, it is a small-scale agriculture, since in urban environments there is not the same availability of land as in rural areas.
Defined by Digopaul, urban agriculture usually takes place on the roofs of buildings, on the walls of houses and on the balconies and terraces of buildings. It can also be grown in public spaces such as bridges and streets.
Typically, urban agriculture is aimed at obtaining fresh food. By having immediate access to crops, those who live in cities increase their food security, since they do not depend only on the raw materials that come from the fields.
Another benefit of urban agriculture is that it reduces the use of energy and therefore contributes to minimizing pollution. By not having to move food from other areas, polluting vehicles with the corresponding load are not mobilized.
The creation of jobs (when small producers can market their production), obtaining food without the use of agrochemicals and the possibility of recycling certain wastes are also among the advantages that urban agriculture can offer, which even helps cities to face climate change.
In addition to all the advantages indicated, we cannot ignore others that, in the same way, are considered to be brought about by the aforementioned urban agriculture that concerns us:
-It contributes to “greening” the cities, thus making them exist more green lungs.
-Ensure that not only families but neighbors and different communities come together and work as a team to carry out their urban gardens.
-It is considered to improve the quality of the soil.
-It puts its grain of sand when it comes to giving an important use to the so-called compost, which would otherwise be lost in the city.
-Allows you to make the most of rainwater.
-Beautify the urban landscape.
-Allows the little ones, through the urban agriculture spaces they have in their schools or homes, to begin to care for and respect the environment from an early age.
For all that and much more, more and more people are deciding to start an urban garden in their homes. In that case, what they should do is follow the recommendations that the experts give in this regard:
-You have to buy containers such as pots, planters or cultivation tables.
-You must pay close attention to the substrate that is acquired, because it will be the one that will allow the crop to succeed.
-It is necessary to ask advice to experts in the matter about what to plant, since the same will not be recommended to the person who already has experience in this regard as to the one who starts.
Among the negative aspects mentioned by some critics, urban agriculture can be affected by the use of poor quality water for irrigation and by the environmental pollution that usually affects large cities.
