Urban Horticulture: A Cutting-Edge Strategy and Essential for the Future

Abstract

Urban Horticulture is a key solution to rapid population growth, urbanization, food crisis and climate change. According to FAO reports, projections indicate that by 2050, the global urban population will exceed 9.7 billion, nearly doubling the current 3.5 billion. In the case of India, UN World Population Prospects foresee that by 2050, 40.76% of the country's population will inhabit urban areas. Considering the above statistics, we can estimate the burden on rural production system to meet increasing demands of fruits and vegetables in urban markets. So, urban horticulture could be the saviour to avoid food crisis and inflation of market. Urban horticulture, with its roots dating back to the mid-19th century, has gained momentum worldwide and can potentially mitigate the looming threats of food crises and market inflation. There are various types of urban agriculture like, kitchen gardening, rooftop gardening, vertical farming, container gardening, etc. Multiple auras of crops can be cultivated in the minimal available space, right from herbs, vegetables and fruits to aromatic and medicinal plants. There are considerable number of advantages of urban farming, like, providing employment and daily wages to poor farmers, educating children, strengthening the community, improving social and emotional wellbeing and environmental justice to tackle climate change. Many cities across the world are practicing urban farming and have achieved success in production, marketing and educating people. While numerous cities globally have embraced urban farming, achieving success in production, marketing, and education, India is still in the nascent stages of this practice. It is imperative for both governmental and private entities to accord greater importance to and invest in the promotion and harnessing of the profitability of urban horticulture in the country.