Urban agriculture, once thought of as a hobby, has become an integral movement that is revolutionizing the way food, sustainability, and cities are perceived. Omar Bawab, cofounder and CEO of a Jordanian agritech startup, told The Jordan Times that urban agriculture is the practice of growing, processing, and supplying food products in or around urban areas. It can include various types of food production, such as indoor vertical farming, community urban farms, and rooftop gardening.
Regarding rooftop gardening and indoor farming concepts, Bawab said that “green roofs involve growing plants on building rooftops, providing insulation, and reducing energy consumption, and employing stormwater management. Indoor farming in Jordan is a recent practice, which usually follows the principles of controlled-environment agriculture, reducing water usage”.
Green roofs and indoor farming can contribute positively to the environment by lowering carbon emissions, enhancing local biodiversity, and converting colorless urban settings into verdant green, he added.
Indoor farms usually focus on crops like lettuce, herbs, and sometimes tomatoes, which are well-suited for controlled environments. With the right technologies, a wide variety of crops could potentially be grown indoors, helping to diversify food options. Yet fruiting plants demand a significant amount of energy, Bawab elaborated.
Read more at jordantimes.com