New employment opportunities in the sustainable agro industry.
Realizing urban farming will create positive impacts in terms of sustainability. Obvious developments will be a reduction in freight tramsportation, less carbon emissions and an increase in fresh produce. Both reduce costs and increase quality. Imagine vertical farming in the form of silos with several floors of agro activity in the city. Combined with technology in the form of social media, the farmer will have new business model. His role as producer will shift to facilitator. Ground in the silo’s will be rented by company’s, organisations and individuals. With social media and online tools the farmer will have a precise view on the supply and demand dynamics of the market. The farmer’s production will be in direct dialogue with the consumer of his goods. From the current situation to vertical urban farming the distribution logistics will shift from freight and storage to a direct exchange with the client, at both individual and organizational quantities. Agro products will be ordered on line and monitored via social media. When ready they will be picked up or delivered to the customer. At the individual level it works like this, a rent a section of agro ground and choose to grow potatoes and carrots on it. I can specify if want biological produce. I can see the growth online via a social media web site, where I also see other farming activities and can engage in dialogues with other people and organizations. When the produce is ready, I arrive at the cafe downstairs, have a coffee and go home with basket of fresh produce. The mystic of country life returns to the city.
City farming
Fruits trees, cows, chickens and goats can also find there where into the city. Like produce, individuals and organisations can place an order for cheese and milk. Another benefit from having agriculture in the city is the educational platform it offers to urban schools. Schools can have their own plot of land to grow fresh produce and learn about food production. An intimate and fresher relationship with food will return. It will also be interesting to see how diverse locations of urban silos will reflect the cultural agro demands of their region. For example, a silo in Turkish neighborhood will differ from a Chinese or a Dutch one. And even more interesting will be the intersection / fusion of these different agricultural traditions and desires. Food consultants will manage and find best fit practices for individuals and organisations. These consults will manage logistics and developments in agro technology.
Think local
When food production shifts to facilitation in the city their will be a restructuring of the logistical dynamics. Many small local delivery companies and farmers will emerge. Plus an entire new social media support structure will be the backbone supporting supply and demand in the market. Local food production in this way is also as relevant for rural regions outside the city as in the urban environment. Bringing food production closer to home creates labor opportunities for architects, food specialists, farmers and empowers the local community with direct aces to fresh food.
Less pollution
Why support this transition? Because it reduces distance from farm to table and therefore reduces transportation costs, less pollution and less synthetic additives to preserve food. What results is higher quality, healthier people who are aware of their food and in the long run less costs in production and on the environment because food is made close to home.
