Urban farming: it involves 800 million people worldwide

If possible cultivate in space, why not in the cities? The urban gardening has many advantages and can be of great importance in the climate adaptation of our cities. For example, the FAO has inaugurated an organic garden on the roof of its Roman headquarters. However, there are not only roofs.

The data shows that there are 800 million people exercising worldwide urban agriculture in different forms. there is the micro gardening with cultivation of vegetables and plants in trays and basins in private, condominium or community type. Also thanks to the pandemic that has prompted us to spend more on green spaces. In fact, there are now a total of 19 million green lovers, 39% of Italians. The turnover related to gardening reaches about 3 million euros with a net increase of 150 million euros over the two-year period 2019-2021. Italians also cultivate for rescuing and relieving anxiety.

In addition to private urban cultivation, there is also that of gardens and shared urban gardens, available to municipalities and managed by the community. This trend is on the rise. In recent years, it has grown by 18% from the plots allocated to citizens for a total of 2.1 cultivated urban square meters. Many community gardens are born with projects related to social inclusion, which is a great opportunity for integration and training.

In order to work on a piece of public land, one must contact the municipality through a non-profit organisation. Public green spaces also touch on the theme: smart cities, smart cities that aim to achieve quality of life and self-sufficiency. By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas and a lifestyle that respects the environment must be maintained.

Here come alternative solutions such as the vertical farming, in which different plant species can be grown, often in intelligent greenhouses. Cultivation techniques canaquaponics. The objectives are the production of vegetables in a continuous cycle and low water consumption.

It should be noted that to arrive at a ecological future and with full environmental education you don’t just need books. We must immediately put our hands in the ground. The precious Slow Food “Orto in Conduct” initiative, which has a history of more than ten years, makes its appearance. a tool of food education And environment in schools. In 2022 it became part of the school renewal plan. The goals to be achieved are: knowledge, behaviour, infrastructure and opportunities.