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By 2050, the population is estimated to be at 9.5 billion. Currently, the planet is already struggling to keep up with our needs. The most challenging aspect of a growing population is how to keep it well fed. A 9.5 billion population would need an additional farming area of around 850 million hectares. But the problem is, we can’t keep expanding farmlands. Other species need that space too, and people also need those spaces to live and work in. This leads us to find alternatives to avoid going through this dreadful situation. 

Enter Regenerative Farming

An alternative way to practice farming by using fewer resources while doubling the production volume. This is achieved by going for unused spaces such as rooftops, abandoned warehouses, and even unused lots. Growing food in these spaces means less need for food to be transported from the outskirts to groceries and excessive food chains. By cutting down on transportation and logistics costs, food will be cheaper. This also lets people access nutritional food without having to spend a lot of money. 

The supply chain is not perfect. There are many factors to consider when delivering fresh produce. That’s why people in urban areas often resort to buying vegetables and fruits at a higher price. There’s also the uncertainty of supply. Weather conditions can affect the harvest. With the unpredictable weather these days due to global warming, the food supply can take a while before it gets replenished. 

People who have limited access will need to resort to food that has little to no nutritional value. Most are willing to shift to eating healthier food but they can’t keep up due to the high costs. But with urban farming, they can grow their own food so they have a fresh supply of vegetables readily available at their homes. 

City dwellers will no longer have to worry about going broke trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are many ways to try urban farming but there are guides for beginners who are willing to learn and invest. 

Green Spaces

Green spaces are often overlooked to make way for residential and commercial buildings. With urban farming, those buildings will not be needed to be torn down in order to build vertical farms. Buildings are actually utilized, creating opportunities for everyone. Old buildings can be rented for vertical farms. Abandoned warehouses can be customized to become greenhouses. 

Urban farming opens up a lot of avenues for growth too, not just industrially, but socially. Neighborhood gardens can create a sense of community. This helps bring people closer to each other and it can also help them be more proactive in their city. Public spaces can be used for public gardens, the food grown can be used to help those in need. A lot of people can benefit from these because they will help them survive using locally-grown food. 

The future is urban farming. Green spaces are very important not just to sustain our food, but also our mental, social, and emotional wellbeing.

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