This agriculture arises as a
response to food security in cities which have a population that increases
every day and the reduction of the agricultural areas of the peripheries of
these; This growth will result in a shortage of foodstuffs for the population
at some point, why promote their development; In addition, seeks to make this
agriculture ecological to counter environmental pollution and be a source of
healthy products.
The limitation on the development of
this agriculture originated in the excessive growth of the cities that produces
a reduction in free areas which can be used for urban agriculture, especially
in the central districts where stands out the construction of buildings and the
widening of tracks to improve vehicular traffic; in response the crop is being
promoted in pots which can be placed on roofs, balconies and even between the
stairs.
Urban agriculture also includes
breeding animals, since they form part of the system of agricultural production
since they provide fertilizers for growing plants and feed on the remains of
plants. Even flocks of goats or sheep heading on the road to already harvested
fields to graze the leftovers and also pay the soil with their manure can be
found on the outskirts of the cities. Within the cities due to lack of space
are bred only animals under as chickens, ducks, rabbits, Guinea pigs, etc., The
main limiting its expansion apart from space are strong odors of breeding
causing conflicts with neighbors and forcing to abandon this activity.
The purpose of urban agriculture
The purpose of this urban agriculture is the
of producing food for subsistence and if leftovers are sold, therefore it is
promoted as a source of fresh and healthy food. Much of its development is that it
constitutes a hobby in free moments; We noted that adult women and elders are
persons who are more engaged in this activity.
We can develops urban agriculture in small spaces (gardens,
parks, berms) and if there is no space is used pots, which have the advantage
of being mobile and can be placed on windows or roofs with what space can be
won.
Major crops are vegetables from pan
to carry (radish, spinach, lettuce, etc.), due to its short cultivation period
and its small size. Bread vegetables are grown in the
outlying areas which carry the full sold in the city's wholesale markets,
however eventually they will disappear as part of the planning process.
If we have animals that are easy to breed such as the
guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits and ducks, (due to their small size and easy
construction of their cages in courtyards or rooftops). we can have more benefits from these animals. Because they can fed the
plants with the remains of their manure, and reducing the amount of organic waste.
With urban agriculture we can obtain fresh products
and with more nutrients, compared with vegetables that are sold in markets
which are dehydrated, damaged, and washed with dirty water.