What is Urban Farming?
Urban farming refers to growing crops and rearing animals in urban areas. For a long time in Africa, farming was a preserve of the rural areas. Farmers in rural areas have been the sole suppliers of food to consumers in urban areas. However, the tide has been changing, with more urban dwellers embracing farming in their small spaces. This article explores some of the most convenient farms that one can set up in urban Africa.
Why should you consider setting up an urban farm?
Setting up a farm in an urban area presents farmers with several advantages that rural farmers do not enjoy. Urban farmers have a ready market for their commodities. Most of the consumers of agricultural produce are concentrated in urban areas.
In urban areas, urban farmers can easily choose to sell products at retail prices. This is so because they can afford to bypass brokers and wholesalers and sell directly to consumers. Even though the nature of urban farming is mostly small-scale, farmers can choose farming ideas that give profits by utilizing very small spaces.
How we determine our top urban farms
We determine our top urban farms based on the following factors;
Space requirements for the crop or animal
Commodity consumption trends in urban Africa
Different regulations on urban farming in African urban areas
Top 5 Urban Farms in Africa
Before setting up a chicken farm in any city in Africa, it is recommended that you find out whether the by-laws of your city allow chicken farming within the city. This is an important step to avoid the authorities from closing your operation.
Chicken meat and eggs are among the most consumed poultry products in urban areas in Africa. With farming systems like the battery cage, urban farmers can keep large flocks of birds in small spaces. Farmers can sell eggs and chicken meat to consumers at retail prices. You should note that free-range farming of chicken is not allowed in many cities in Africa.
Learn more about chicken farming in Africa.
Kales is one of the fastest-selling vegetables in cities and towns in Africa. They are consumed widely in homes and in restaurants. Kales require a very small space to grow. You can set up a vertical garden to produce kales commercially in a small space.
You can establish a clientele in individuals and restaurants. You will have several strategic advantages over rural kales farmers. Easy access to the market means that your kales will reach the market while still fresh. You will also be able to deal with your buyers directly and be able to fetch retail prices.
Learn more about kale farming in Africa.
Tomatoes form part of many meal recipes in Africa. They are among the most consumed vegetable fruits in urban areas. Most of the tomatoes that feed the cities in Africa are produced by rural farmers. As an urban farmer, you can get a ready market for your tomatoes in the city.
Tomatoes do not require a large space to grow. Even an ⅛ of an acre is enough to produce tomatoes on a commercial basis. You can sell to urban consumers using social media or online marketplaces which are very popular in top African cities.
Learn more about tomato farming in Africa.
Before setting up a rabbit farm in any city in Africa, you should find out whether the relevant by-laws of your city permit livestock farming. If they do, you should find out the relevant regulations that guide urban farming in your city.
Rabbit farming is one of the best ventures to practice in an urban setting. They require a very small space. Rabbit farming is a niche market in Africa. Not many people consume rabbit meat. High-end hotels however have an ever-growing need for rabbit meat. All these high-end hotels are located in cities. If you set up a rabbit farm in a city, these hotels can be among your target buyers.
Learn more about rabbit farming in Africa.
While not as popular as kales or tomatoes, capsicums also enjoy a large consumption in urban areas. They are used as an ingredient in cooked meals and salads. Major capsicum buyers in urban centers are individual buyers and restaurants. Capsicums are mainly supplied to urban areas from rural farms.
The averagely small space requirements for capsicum mean that you can effectively grow the crop in urban areas. A well-tended capsicum garden can produce capsicum fruits with a high commercial value.
Learn more about capsicum farming in Africa.
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