Why the growth of urban agriculture during the lockdown is a promising trend
Our initial observations are that urban agriculture has offered some respite to coping with localised and disrupted food supplies, which was acute during the nationwide lockdown in 2020, and relieving mental stress during a period of such uncertainty and isolation.
By Maitreyi Koduganti
Citizen Matters
June 11, 2021
Excerpt:
We found that urban agriculture gained popularity over the past year — of the 100 online survey responses we have got so far, 73 said that they spent more time in their gardens during the lockdowns. Several individuals said that they revamped their homes and set up small kitchen and terrace gardens, growing microgreens and vegetables like tomatoes and brinjal.
Some told us that their friends inspired them and helped them set up their new gardens at home. Many also talked about how growing their own plants/food gave them a ‘sense of joy and satisfaction, allowing them to escape their loneliness.’ Several working professionals said that they don’t remember the last time they spent ‘quality time’ with their families and that the time spent gardening helped them ‘bond with their spouse’ and ‘understand their children better’, clearly indicating outcomes on personal well-being.
In many of our interviews we also observed how gardening changed children’s behaviour towards food wastage. A 35-year-old urban farmer in Pune, who set up a garden with her daughter, remarked, ‘since the time my daughter started gardening and watching the plants grow, she does not waste a single piece of food on her plate.’
We also witnessed a rise in young entrepreneurs giving up their lucrative careers and venturing into different types of urban agriculture, like hydroponics and aquaponics, honing their technological skills and passion for growing. Many businesses, like iKheti and Earthoholics indicated an increased client base for their online training, workshops and sharing of information related to growing, composting and maintaining gardens. They noted, ‘post COVID times, we have had participants from Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai and more. In fact, we also train urban farmers living in the UK and countries in the Middle-East.’
