Opportunities for urban farming in India

Abstract

Urban Farming, also called as Urban Gardening or urban agriculture, is the practice of growing or producing food in an urban area like in and around a city, municipality, etc. There is a certain portion of commerce attached with the process that distinguishes it from community gardening or homesteading. The produce has to be processed and sold in the market rather than entirely personally consumed or shared in family. This is why it is different from just growing food in cities. In India, primarily fives types of Urban Farming Techniques are followed – Vertical Farming, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Shipping Container Farms and Aeroponics. While increased food security, efficient use of urban spaces, Community Involvement, water and energy consumption, employment and economic growth etc. are its obvious advantages, lack of access to viable lateral spaces, contaminated soils, high fixed and operating costs, lack of skilled personnel etc. pose some of the challenges India faces while practising Urban Farming. In the second part of the report, we have analysed the Indian Farming Industry and tried to find if there is a scope for Urban Farming in India. We found that the role of Government and Agri- tech start-ups (like Pindfresh, UGF Farms etc.) will remain crucial for equipping India with the urban farming techniques to meet its future food demands. We also looked at Singapore and identified how Government played a crucial role in helping the growth of its Urban Farming. In the third section of the report, we looked at some individuals and corporates that practise Urban Farming in India. Firstly, visited the premises of Prof. Sanjay Verma (faculty at IIMA) and understood how he carries on hydroponics in his terrace. We also interviewed Mr. Ashok Bhandari (the CFO of Shree Cement Ltd.) who practises an automated hydroponic farming technique in his terrace. Next, we did secondary research and found out certain start-ups – each addressing different dimensions of issues that India faces in their Urban Farming landscape. Through these start-ups we derived learnings on developing a sustainable urban farming model. In the last section of our report, we analysed the Mushroom Farming Business in India. We interviewed Mr. Tanmoy Hada (founder of Laks Cultivations – a mushroom growing start-up) and Mr. Shashikant Gupta (Vice President – Agri-Business Management Division of YES Bank Ltd.) and found the scope of Mushroom Farming Business in India. We understood the types of mushrooms that are cultivable in India, the process of cultivation of mushrooms in India, the marketing strategy and the economic viability of the Business Model.