Urban farming is a term that refers to the activities of growing crops or raising livestock independently, in urban areas with limited land, which are then processed for own consumption or distributed to other places. One of the activities is growing vegetables and fruits. Urban farming activities usually utilize limited land in urban areas, such as in the yard of a house or office.

Urban farming is usually done by planting plants that are often consumed, such as vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, tubers, medicinal plants, or ornamental plants. Urban farming can also be in the form of raising animals, such as poultry, rabbits, goats, sheep, cows, to fish. Here are some of the benefits and advantages of urban farming.

In densely populated areas, urban farming is the right strategy in an effort to help economically weak households in improving food security and food consumption that is Diverse, Balanced and Safe (B2SA). Urban farming products are considered fresher and more nutritious, with competitive prices, because they do not go through the packaging, storage, and distribution processes that take days.

Urban farming is not just an urban lifestyle trend, but can also be a business opportunity, creating jobs and income for people living in urban areas.

Urban farming also allows local people to consume fresh fruit and vegetables more often because they can be accessed easily and quickly.

Urban farming activities can also be used as a means to train physically to be stronger and make the body fitter. Urban farming helps us to reconnect with nature. These activities can reduce stress levels, as well as maintain overall mental health.

Urban farming is also an effort to revitalize the environment, create green land, reduce heat and air pollution, and reduce the risk of floods and landslides.

Agricultural landscapes, waterways, and decorative buildings provide many benefits, including for recreational activities while enjoying beautiful views and quality air in open spaces.

We can create a micro garden by utilizing the small space available to plant trees. The space can be on the balcony, terrace, or roof of the house. Here are some things that need to be considered in realizing urban farming.

We can plant trees on the ground directly or use containers in the form of pots, bottles, used buckets, used car tires, or other storage media.

Use garden soil as a planting medium. We can also replace garden soil with substrate objects, such as peanut shells, coconut husks, rice husks, or soil. If substrate is also not available, we can use water mixed with a fertilizer solution.

For irrigation or irrigation, we can use rainwater or residual water that is still feasible. The water needed to water the plants is relatively small. For a garden of one square meter, it only requires less than 3 liters of water per day.

In the micro garden for urban farming, we can grow various ready-to-eat vegetables, such as cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and onion. As a variation, try planting herbaceous plants, such as turmeric, ginger, galangal, and

Although mini, this urban farming garden is relatively productive. Studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that one square meter of micro garden can produce about 100 onions every four months, 10 cabbages every three months, about 200 tomatoes or 30 kg per year, or 36 heads of lettuce per two months.

Even so, keep in mind that the selection of land or water for irrigation are two important factors. Avoid using soil or water contaminated with harmful elements. In addition, avoid also using pesticides that can poison the soil and crop yields.

Don't forget to always wear gloves, and wash your hands properly after gardening and before eating. Be careful not to bring dirt from the garden into the house. Wash the produce of urban farming before storing or eating, and teach the kids to do it too.