Improving Sustainability in Indian Cities Through Expansion of Edible Green Spaces: Exploring Million Plus Cities of Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad

Abstract

Current food systems for cities are becoming unsustainable, especially with rapidly increasing population to feed. Food for city dwellers travels long distances to reach while there are empty spaces within the city that can be utilised to grow food. Cities generate gallons of wastewater and tonnes of solid waste that pollutes the environment resulting in climate change. Farming has the potential to create nutritious food from this waste. Urban agriculture provides fresh food to the city and generates employment through this process in multiple sectors like farming, food processing, packaging, etc. This study highlights the innovations in idea and practice of urban agriculture and supports sustainable environmental management, preserving local flavour and essence of culture. This study focuses on improving sustainability through the expansion of edible green spaces in the three million plus cities of India—Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. The role of all the stakeholders in this process like the municipal corporation, urban development authority, horticulture department, markets, rooftop farmers, urban growers, cooperative societies and others are examined to develop a holistic understanding of the existing practice in food systems. Result: Bengaluru’s urban agriculture movement is people driven; in Hyderabad, it is the horticulture department that has promoted urban agriculture in the city; whereas in Ahmedabad, the urban agriculture movement is mainly through efforts of few individuals and small groups that are engaged in rooftop farming. Conclusion: Sustainability through practice of urban agriculture helps increase edible green spaces in a city. This can be achieved through people-driven movement; government incentives and programmes; and individual efforts. There is a need to create similar green movements in other cities to increase the edible green cover.