Urban Agriculture's Carbon Emissions Are Six Times That of Conventional Agriculture

This agricultural concept is very suitable for urban communities who have very limited land. The community can also be more self-reliant in fulfilling their food needs during times of crisis or when there is an increase in vegetable prices in the market. Urban agriculture is also considered a solution to urban air pollution mitigation.

The concentration of the population in urban areas is also projected to increase in the coming decades. By 2050, almost 70 percent of the world's population is estimated to live in urban areas. Therefore, fulfilling the food needs of individuals and communities needs to be a concern in the development of urban areas.

Nationally, the results of the 2023 agricultural census stated that there are currently 13,019 urban farming units. The province with the highest number is West Java, which has 3,231 units or 24.8 percent of the total. The area in West Java that is concentrated in urban farming is Bogor Regency (634 units). The development strategy undertaken by the Bogor region is the optimal use of land with an orientation towards meeting domestic and market needs.

Various benefits of urban agriculture certainly support sustainable regional development. However, there is a specific note in the implementation of the concept of urban agriculture. Environmental impact analysis of urban agriculture is actually much greater than conventional agriculture. Even in certain measures, it actually increases carbon emissions multiple times and exacerbates climate change.

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A study conducted by Jason K Hawes, et al. (2024) shows that the carbon emissions from vegetables served from urban agriculture are six times greater than conventional agriculture. The study was conducted on 73 urban farms in Europe and the United States, covering the entire plant production process. The commodities analyzed include all types of fruits and vegetables grown in urban farming land, such as tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, and lettuce.

Carbon emissions from urban agriculture activities need to be controlled. Research conducted by Jason and other researchers reveals the massive carbon emissions from low technology urban agriculture. Low technology means the minimal implementation of sustainability by agricultural landowners in the city, from sustainable infrastructure, waste processing, to providing social benefits for the surrounding community.

Excessive carbon emissions

Urban farming practices contribute carbon emissions up to six times higher than conventional farming. Research conducted by Jason and fellow researchers found that carbon emissions for one serving of food from conventional farming amounted to 0.07 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2). Meanwhile, one serving of food from urban farming produces 0.42 kilograms of CO2.

When detailed to the six agricultural commodities, namely nuts, carrots, lettuce, garlic, potatoes, and tomatoes, the amount of urban agriculture carbon emissions is very high. For one kilogram of nuts preparation, urban agriculture contributes up to 0.48 kilograms of CO2, while conventional agriculture only contributes 0.06 kilograms of CO2.

The unequal comparison of carbon dioxide emissions between urban and conventional agriculture also occurs for carrot commodities, which compares with 0.46 kilograms of CO2 to 0.04 kilograms of CO2. The same is true for lettuce, namely 0.4 kilograms of CO2 in urban agriculture with 0.05 kilograms of CO2 in conventional agriculture. Furthermore, for garlic with a ratio of 0.5 kilograms of CO2 to 0.05 kilograms of CO2; potatoes 0.65 kilograms CO2 with 0.04 kilograms CO2; and tomatoes 0.45 kilograms of CO2 with 0.25 kilograms of CO2.

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There are several factors causing conventional agriculture to produce much lower carbon emissions. First, land cultivation has been carried out sustainably by farmers, making water and fertilizer usage more efficient compared to urban farming practices that tend to be self-taught. Second, conventional agriculture doesn't require many technical instruments that actually contribute to emissions, such as cement and air circulation machines for greenhouse farming systems.

Thirdly, conventional agriculture already has mechanisms for managing agricultural land waste, such as composting. Meanwhile, urban agriculture has not reached a waste management scheme, so it tends to just be discarded in the trash. Lastly, the circulation of conventional agricultural products will be more easily absorbed by the market and reduce vegetable or fruit waste. Urban agriculture tends to be for personal consumption and minimally absorbed into the large-scale market.

Therefore, urban agriculture planning needs to be done comprehensively, starting from infrastructure planning to managing the agricultural products produced. Climate-friendly urban agriculture is not impossible to achieve. The presence of green plants in the midst of the city can also support the ultimate goal of reducing air pollution.

Climate friendly agriculture

The use of environmentally friendly technology is the best solution to realize low-carbon urban agriculture. Based on Jason's research and that of other researchers, 63 percent of carbon emissions are determined by the technology and infrastructure used. One step in providing technology that can be taken is the use of solar panels to meet electricity needs.

The utilization of used goods can also support sustainable urban agriculture development. Currently, there are many alternative technologies and infrastructures for agricultural development. This means that not only creating a better environment, but climate-friendly technologies and infrastructures are also able to strengthen the economic circulation at the domestic and community levels.

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Creating climate-friendly agriculture in urban areas can also be done through the utilization of urban waste and vice versa. Waste processing can reduce carbon emissions by up to 52% in urban agriculture practices. One of the waste materials that can be used is food waste for compost fertilizer. In implementation, food waste can replace 95% of chemical fertilizers for plants.

The use of rainwater for urban agricultural irrigation is a strategic step in managing water resources. If the water supply still relies entirely on groundwater extraction (digging, pumping, and distribution), carbon emissions from the process will increase up to 83 percent.

The concept of urban agriculture is a solution to food security in the current era of global warming. Atmospheric dynamics have an impact on water availability and extreme events can disrupt the food distribution chain. However, considering the large carbon emissions released from urban agriculture, technological adaptation and sustainable waste management are needed. Careful planning and the use of appropriate technology are expected to be able to reduce carbon emissions produced by urban agriculture. In this way, food security can increase, but carbon dioxide emissions can continue to be reduced so that environmental sustainability can continue to be maintained. (R&D COMPAS)