Urban agriculture refers to agricultural practices followed in urban and peri-urban areas i.e. growing of plants and the rearing of animals primarily for food and other domestic use within a city or a town. It also involves activities such as the production, processing, marketing, and delivery of farming products.

Urban agriculture has different types:

• Backyard Gardens: Backyard Garden farming is a type of urban farming carried out on the house property to grow food which if the surplus is shared among neighbors, friends, and family.
• Street Landscaping: In this type of urban farming, grass, landscaping, street trees, vegetation, and others are produced in the private streets of the society or community.
• Vertical Farms: Vertical farming is the practice of producing crops vertically stacked. It also provides controlled environment farming. Vertical farming aims to optimize crop growth.
• Forest Gardening: Forest gardening is the practice of having grown gardens in the urban forest. In this type, different types of crops are produced.
• Rooftop Gardens: Rooftop gardens provide temperature control, architectural enhancement, corridors for wildlife, habitats, and recreational opportunities with decorative benefits.
• Aquaponics: In aquaponics, fish are raised in water tanks. In these tanks, plants are also grown, and the waste from the fish gives manure to the plants.
• Urban Beekeeping: It is also known as backyard beekeeping or hobby beekeeping. It is said that bees from the city are healthier and more productive.
• Greenhouse: It includes the practice of agriculture in commercial, residential, and communal urban spaces. It helps farmers to increase their yield and performance with improved quality.

Significance for India

• Decentralized Production: Small-scale decentralized production can supplement diets at the household or community level.
• Environment Management: Urban agriculture can combat the urban heat island effect and function as an urban lung in addition to providing visual appeal. Additionally, it brings purposeful recreation that has a direct impact on city health.
• Eco-Cultural Learning: Urban agriculture helps city dwellers establish linkages with nature and educate them about its richness and diversity.
• Waste Management: The use of suitably treated wastewater for urban agriculture can reduce the demand for fresh water and help in wastewater disposal.
  • Moreover, organic waste from the city can be composted and used in food and flower production which can reduce the total quantum of waste and its dumping on land, thereby, reducing the requirement of landfills.
• Employment Generation: It can add to the number of jobs improve livelihood opportunities in the cities and generate some income, especially for the poor. As urban populations grow, urban agriculture must become vital to municipal functions. Similarly, urban plans must include urban agriculture in their land-use strategies.