Dr. Banarsi Lal
Rapid urbanization is one of the pivotal demographic trends of this century. As of 1961, around 34 percent of the global population lived in urban areas. Projections for 2030 suggest that this figure will exceed 60 percent. Agriculture brings immense value to our communities through food production and economic growth. While urbanization presents challenges, it also creates unmatched opportunities for inclusive growth, innovation, and prosperity. According to the 1901 census, only 11.4 percent of the population resided in urban areas; this figure grew to 28.53 percent in 2001, and surpassed 30 percent in the 2011 census, reaching 31.16 percent. Urban agriculture has emerged as a pressing issue, focusing on food production within and around urban settings. This concept involves the cultivation of plants and livestock both within (intra-urban) and surrounding (peri-urban) cities. Urban farms engage in various complementary activities, including food processing and distribution, food waste collection and reuse, rainwater harvesting, as well as educating and employing local residents. Urban agriculture is distinct from rural agriculture in that it is integrated into the urban economic and ecological framework. These connections encompass urban residents as workers, urban resources like organic waste for compost and treated wastewater for irrigation, urban consumers, urban ecology, and urban food systems. The United Nations projects that the global population will surge by 40 percent, exceeding nine billion by 2050, with an anticipated 80 percent residing in urban areas. Interestingly, many nations produce about 20% of their food within their cities. This has led development agencies to incorporate urban agriculture into their policies to address issues faced by urban populations. Predominantly, the urban poor engage in urban agriculture. In many cities, even lower and middle-class government employees and school teachers partake in urban farming. Notably, women represent a crucial segment of urban farmers, excelling in agricultural and related agro-processing tasks.
In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, agriculture serves as the backbone of the economy, supporting approximately 80 percent of the population. Over time, farmers in J&K have embraced new agricultural technologies to boost production. Similar to other states and union territories, individuals from rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir are migrating towards urban centers. This rapid urbanization has heightened urban poverty, as cities like Jammu and Srinagar struggle to provide sufficient income and employment opportunities for the influx of residents. The escalating costs of supplying and distributing food from rural regions to urban areas, coupled with rising food prices, pose significant challenges for poor urban consumers, resulting in projected increases in urban food insecurity. However, urban agriculture holds vast potential in Jammu and Kashmir, offering income and employment opportunities for the urban impoverished. Given the potential of urban agriculture, creating awareness among urban and peri-urban populations in J&K is crucial. Urban agriculture differs from urban jobs that necessitate commuting to town centers or industrial zones; it can occur within city boundaries (intra-urban) or in surrounding areas (peri-urban). This practice can thrive on private or public land, including parks, conservation areas, along roads, and even on semi-public properties like schools and hospitals. Through urban agriculture, diverse food products from various crops and animals, along with non-food items such as medicinal and aromatic herbs, ornamental plants, and tree-derived products, can be cultivated. Generally, production units in urban agriculture tend to be more specialized compared to their rural counterparts. Urban agriculture encompasses both agricultural production activities and food processing and marketing related to these products. In urban settings, production and marketing processes are often more streamlined considering the geographical proximity.
Cultivating crops in urban environments is undoubtedly challenging but feasible across the globe. It necessitates specific knowledge tailored to local conditions and land limitations. Urban agricultural production often targets self-consumption, with surplus food being traded. Nevertheless, the significance of market-oriented urban agriculture, in terms of both volume and economic impact, should not be overlooked. Typically, fresh produce is sold within urban agriculture, with some portions either processed for personal use, cooked and sold through street vendors, or packaged for commercial sale. Urban agriculture includes various scales of production, from individual or family farms to cooperatives and commercial enterprises. Unfortunately, many urban agriculture enterprises in cities like Jammu and Srinagar still operate at a low technological level. However, cities such as Bangalore and Hyderabad showcase more technologically advanced and intensive agricultural practices. The rapid pace of urbanization coincides with growing urban poverty and food insecurity, leaving many cities struggling to adapt and create sustainable employment opportunities for marginalized populations. Furthermore, the challenges of waste disposal and maintaining air and water quality are increasingly pressing.
Urban agriculture can serve as a complementary approach to mitigate urban poverty and food insecurity, while also enhancing urban environmental management. It is instrumental in strengthening urban food security, especially as the costs of sourcing and distributing food from rural producers and imports soar, failing to meet demand—particularly among poorer demographics. Moreover, urban agriculture bolsters local economic development, alleviates poverty, promotes social inclusion for the urban poor and women, and contributes to urban greening and waste reduction efforts. Its significance is gradually being acknowledged by organizations like the UN, FAO, and various municipalities. Urban agriculture not only enhances food security and nutrition in urban and peri-urban regions but may also enhance both the quantity and quality of food available. In some nations, self-produced food constitutes as much as 40-60 percent of what low-income families consume. Studies reveal that children under five years old from low-income farming households exhibit significantly favorable nutritional outcomes compared to their non-farming counterparts, and urban farmers generally consume more vegetables than urban non-farmers of similar socioeconomic status. Beyond providing for their families, urban farmers supply substantial quantities of food to other population segments. In specific cities, urban residents actively engage in agricultural endeavors, producing considerable food volumes for urban marketplaces.
To a large extent, urban agriculture complements rural farming and heightens the efficiency of the national food system by supplying products that may be difficult to source through rural channels (such as highly perishable items). Furthermore, urban agriculture can serve as a strategic tool for poverty reduction and social integration, particularly empowering urban women facing economic challenges. Various municipalities and NGOs have initiated urban agriculture projects targeting marginalized groups, including orphans, disabled individuals, unemployed immigrants, and the elderly, aiming to integrate them more into the urban fabric while providing a viable livelihood. Participants often find fulfillment in collaboratively generating food and other goods for consumption and sale, thereby enriching their communities. Urban agriculture can also offer physical and psychological benefits, serving as a means of relaxation. Additionally, urban and peri-urban farms may fulfill vital recreational and educational roles, connecting youth with animals and fostering ecological awareness. Ultimately, urban agriculture has the potential to enhance the urban ecological system and play a critical role in urban environmental management, positively influencing city greening and cleanliness.
