Urban farming is activity gardening in the middle of the city which has now been done a lot, especially in big cities. This activity not only beneficial from an economic point of view, but also health, you know . Come on, see the following explanation.
Urban farming is a term that refers to the activities of farming or raising livestock independently in urban areas. Usually, this activity utilizes limited land, such as the yard of the house. The results of these activities can usually be processed themselves for later consumption or distribution to other places.
How to do urban farming
Urban farming is usually done by growing plants that are often consumed, such as vegetables, mushrooms, fruit, tubers, medicinal plants, or ornamental plants.
Urban farming can be done in several steps, namely:
- Prepare containers and land for planting.
- Prepare a suitable planting medium, such as garden soil. You can also use other objects as a mixture of planting media, such as peanut shells or coconut husk.
- Pay attention to the water source if you intend to grow crops
- Prepare plant seeds that you can use or consume, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and ginger.
In addition to farming, urban farming can also be done by raising animals that are commonly consumed, such as poultry, rabbits, goats, sheep, cows, and fish.
The steps that need to be taken are the same as planting crops. However, you need to adjust the land you have with the type of livestock to be raised.
Benefits of Urban Farming
Besides being fun, urban farming also brings several health benefits, namely:
1. Meet nutritional intake
In densely populated areas, urban farming be the right strategy in an effort to help economically weak households to maintain food consumption and nutritional intake in accordance with balanced nutrition guidelines.
Urban farming products are considered fresher and more nutritious, with competitive prices because they do not go through the packaging, storage, and distribution processes that take days.
2. Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables
Urban farming activities also allow people to consume fresh fruit and vegetables more often because they can be accessed easily and quickly. In addition, you can also monitor the growth of the fruits and vegetables that are planted so that they are free from chemicals, such as pesticides.
It should be noted that eating fresh vegetables and fruits that are free of pesticides is known to provide various benefits for the body and one of them is increasing immunity.
3. Maintain physical and mental health
Urban farming activities can also be used as a means to train physically to be stronger and fitter. This activity also helps us to reconnect with nature.
Not only that, urban farming is also known to reduce stress and maintain overall mental health.
4. Create a healthy and stress-free environment
Urban farming activities are also an effort to revive the environment, create green land, reduce heat and air pollution, and reduce the risk of floods and landslides.
In addition, the decorative design of farms, waters, and buildings also provides many benefits, namely as a means to relieve stress while enjoying beautiful views and quality air in open spaces.
In order to maximize the benefits of vegetables and fruits from urban farming, avoid using soil or water contaminated with harmful elements, including the use of pesticides.
Don't forget to always wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after doing urban farming. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you feel any symptoms of poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or shortness of breath, especially due to pesticide contamination.