Urban farming can actually be pretty productive

Urban farming has gained some niche recognition over the past decade or two, as tools like vertical indoor farming have joined more traditional shared plots and backyard vegetable gardens in cities. But how efficient is it, in terms of actually supplying food for people?

A new study from the University of Sussex conducted a two-year survey of urban farmers in Brighton and Hove, neighboring seaside towns in England with a combined population of around 300,000. A total of 34 people were surveyed on their yields, some using backyards, others using community gardens, balconies and other ways that urban gardeners squeeze in space for growing crops.

On average, the farmers were able to harvest about one kilogram of fruits and vegetables per square meter of land, which is on the low side for small-scale farmers, according to one Rutgers University study. But it is still roughly comparable to small farmers, and the Sussex researchers do note that some spaces were far more productive, up to 10 kilograms per square meter—depending on the skill, experience and specific crop choices of the home gardener. It's also worth noting that those 34 were the minority of those who actually reported their findings; 160 originally signed up to do this, and it seems sensible that only the most serious gardeners would file their reports.

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Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Source: Modern Farmer