Research suggests that cities are more likely than rural areas to suffer effects relating to any future food shortages. Food security has become one of the buzz phrases of the moment. These couple of words trip easily off the tongue - but they embrace a potential crisis situation. A number of initiatives now underway draw attention to the threats of food shortages and demonstrate ways in which they might possibly be alleviated.
Stefan Jordan, a lecturer at Hadlow College, and a group of degree and National Diploma year two students have been working on one such project. The Urban Agriculture Curtain, erected at the Building Centre in London as part of the London Yields: Urban Agriculture exhibition, demonstrates a way of growing crops vertically in a relatively limited space.
Andre Viljoen and Katrin Bohn, the architects who designed the structure of the curtain, visited Hadlow and gave the students the opportunity to discuss and plan the project. Because the college only had quite short notice, the plants destined to be used in the exhibition all had to be grown hydroponically.
The students set up the hydroponic system and grew leaf crops, including various types of lettuce and rocket, from seed. Because of the short deadline, the tomatoes and pepinos had to be borrowed from another college initiative. Jordan and two students went to the Building Centre to work with Viljoen and Bohn to set up the exhibit.
The curtain is made of four levels. Each holds two growing trays with gaps measuring approximately two-thirds of a metre between each level. The trays are connected to a nutrient-rich water supply and hung on an off-the-shelf cable system that enables them to be turned at regular intervals so that all the plants are afforded sunlight. The substrate consists of coir peat, eco-fibre and Fytocell. The top tray is planted with cascading (Tumbling Red Tom) cherry tomatoes and the lower trays are being planted on a rota system to grow pepinos, leaf crops, radishes and herbs. The intention is to use harvested produce in the Building Centre cafeteria. The Hadlow students are re-sowing every two weeks so that plants can be replaced as harvesting is complete.
Food production in urban environments generally involves large-scale commercial projects or allotment gardening. Predicted food insecurity indicates this will be insufficient and the addition of large numbers of small-scale projects is essential. As well as being practical and productive, growing vertically is four times more space-efficient than the horizontal equivalent. In addition, the curtain is actually a very attractive feature in its own right. In time, similar curtains might be considered as replacements for the flowers and plants currently used to brighten up work locations.
Vertical production is also something that might well appeal to people who either do not have a garden, or whose garden is very small. Given the right light conditions, it could be used in high rise blocks and apartments.
Jordan points out that vertical methods of production are already commonplace in the Netherlands, where they have proved to be successful over many years. He said: “We are delighted to be involved in an initiative that draws attention to some of the issues the world is facing with regard to food production. The project is providing invaluable experience for our students.”
The London Yields exhibition showcases 12 other projects, all of which also investigate urban agriculture. In her opening address at the launch occasion, Boris Johnson’s food adviser Rosie Boycott drew attention to the fact that the UK consumes 49 per cent of the EU’s total of ready meals. As a background, the exhibition uses Lord Dillington’s famous and emotive 2007 quote “nine meals away from anarchy”, spoken when he became the head of the Countryside Agency. He was referring to the fact that it is estimated that production of 95 per cent of food is dependent on oil - and if supply of oil was cut off, it would take just three days before law and order broke down.
Therein lies a veritable hornets’ nest. How long can oil reserves last? What are we going to do about the fact that agriculture and commercial horticulture are responsible for a considerable percentage of the carbon emissions causing climate change? These questions, of course, are taxing governments and advisers all around the world.
The fact that a very considerable proportion of the food we put on our plates is currently imported surely begs further questions. Sterling has dropped in value, thus increasing the costs of imports. Shouldn’t we, in any case, be endeavouring to produce more food in this country? Benefits would potentially include a reduction in food miles - and the carbon emissions related to them - as well as the creation of additional jobs. l
The London Yields: Urban Agriculture exhibition at the London Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT is open until May 30 - 9.30am-6pm Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday. For further information, telephone 020 7692 6208 or email urbanagriculture@buildingscentre.co.uk
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