Peri-urban and urban vegetable production

The towns and cities had expanded tremendously during the last decade due to economic development and new settlements. More than 20% of the total population (144 mill.) live in the urban areas. It is essential therefore to increase the production of vegetables for better nutrition in both rural and urban areas. Methods of growing vegetables in urban as well as the present system of intensive vegetable cultivation in periurban areas have been highlighted. The opportunity of integrating vegetables, fish, poultry, dairy farming, and the role of vegetable in promoting agribusiness particularly in peri-urban and urban areas have been discussed.