Agriculture is concentrated in rural areas in the Philippines. Urban areas are preferred market outlets for rural agricultural products. At times, artificial shortages of rural agriculture products are felt in urban areas as a result of market strategies or for other reasons, such as traders' preference to market the products when they can make a more significant profit.
Urban Agriculture
Urban agriculture appears to be the logical solution to the problem of food scarcity in densely populated areas. It means that food or agricultural products are produced within the boundaries of cities, which may also include population centers in bustling towns. Families or organized groups grow mostly around homes, open community or public spaces, and even on rooftops.
As early as 1990, "urban agriculture" meaning was mentioned in passing among members of the administrative council of Cavite State University (CvSU). CvSU's research and development activities concentrated on multi-story farming systems based on coconut and coffee base crops. With limited land available for large-scale farming, the college focused on ornamental nursery management, rapid orchid propagation, greenhouse management of high-value crops and vegetables, and native chicken development.
How Does Urban Farming Work?
When it comes to sustainability, food security, and conservation, the extended global pandemic and the rising threat of the climate crisis have evoked us to return to our roots. People who were forced to stay at home began growing their vegetables in empty backyards and rooftops or herbs in container gardens.
The BGC Urban Farm, which opened on March 24, is located across The Flats on 5th Avenue. It is open every day from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. to anyone interested in urban farming, whether they live in BGC. You can either adopt your pod (1-meter x 1.2 meters) for P999/month or volunteer for at least an hour per day as a weekend farmer. Urban farming in the Philippines is starting to be a trend due to the vast population of people in the metro. It encourages them to be more sustainable. If you live in BGC, you may check out The Courtyard by Vista Residence. It is a modern and exclusive resort-inspired condo development located on Pedro Cayetano Boulevard in Taguig City, just 15 minutes from Bonifacio Global City's prime central business district.
But, how does urban farming work inside your condo? Here are some urban farming techniques that you can do inside your condo if you're curious.
Pot Gardening
Pot gardening is one of the popular urban farming techniques. It includes everything from tiny teacups to an automatic irrigation system. Containers are lightweight and adaptable to any balcony. When container gardening, keep in mind that the drainage should be loose and provide proper aeration to the roots.
Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is one of the best ways to maximize the available space in your condo. It is also known as the Green Wall because it helps to lower the overall temperature of the building. Green walls can also be used as a work of art. It can be installed on a balcony, on the building's exterior walls, or in interior areas such as living rooms.
Growing Fruits
Growing fruit in your apartment may seem impossible, but many berries and small citrus fruits thrive in these conditions. Containers and outdoor patios would also be ideal environments for them to thrive. When growing your citrus fruits, the most important thing to remember is to give the plants plenty of sunlight. These fruits thrive best in well-drained soil with a sandy, loamy texture. Meyer lemons and dwarf varieties of mandarin or blood oranges are ideal for indoor gardens if space is limited.
Plant Herbs
Herbs are an excellent entry point into urban farming because they take up little space and require low maintenance. Having a range in your apartment is like having a spice rack at your disposal, which you can use for cooking, making your own tea blends, or even medicinal purposes. Begin by growing mint, coriander, parsley, and chives. When grouping herbs, mints of any variety should always be planted in their pot because they tend to choke out other plants.
Benefits of Urban Farming
- Urban farming allows city dwellers to grow their food while also learning. They learn about different gardening techniques, the best nutrient solutions, the necessary sunlight, and temperature control, among other things.
- Increased sensitivity to their surroundings because it will now be a source of what they eat to keep their bodies healthy.
- Urban farming in the Philippines will give you the desire to grow and raise more food because it appears tastier and more nutritious, aside from the fact that they are free of harmful chemicals.
- One of the advantages of urban farming is its adaptability.
- Urban farms can be established in spare rooms, backyards, rooftops, warehouses, shipping containers, and any other location. By repurposing indoor and outdoor spaces, the need for purchasing and building on new land is reduced.
- A feeling of well-being, as their undefined restlessness will find reassuring calm in gardening to produce the food they require
One crucial piece of advice, preferably, is to grow a crop that you and your family enjoy eating. If you intend to produce a crop that you will not consume, your efforts will be entirely vain. Raising a crop you enjoy doubles your satisfaction of having your farm and being able to finish it with glee.
Determine the purpose for which you are establishing the farm. If you want to make money, choose a crop that will bring you money when you sell it. It is necessary to conduct a market value analysis of various crops grown in a condo setting. Decide which will be feasible and profitable to you in the meantime.
The climate conditions are also essential to consider when establishing an Urban Farm. Certain herbs, vegetables, and flowers can only grow at specific temperatures. Seasons are another thing to consider before beginning work on the farm.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
