Today’s fresh food like vegetables or fruits travels thousands of miles from the rural areas or farms before it reaches customers in cities or urban areas. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative trend?

Nowadays, fresh produce

such

as

vegetables

and

fruits

are frequently transported over vast distances from rural areas to urban centres before reaching consumers.

This

practice remains a subject of debate. In

this

essay, I will delineate several rationales behind

this

phenomenon and provide my perspective. Primarily, rural areas offer optimal

conditions

for cultivating

vegetables

and

fruits

, boasting ample open land and favourable natural environments.

Additionally

, certain regions specialize in crop cultivation, benefiting from specific climatic

conditions

conducive to large-scale fruit agriculture.

For instance

, locales like Da Lat and Sapa are renowned for strawberries and cherries,

while

hot regions excel in watermelon and durian production.

Conversely

, urban cultivation faces challenges

due to

high construction density and air pollution resulting from significant CO2 emissions from various activities like

transportation

and manufacturing.

Although

techniques

such

as vertical farming have been adopted in some urban settings, their output remains insufficient to meet market demands. Transporting fresh produce over thousands of miles from rural farms to urban markets presents challenges in maintaining product quality, particularly in adverse weather

conditions

or on rough terrain. Vibrations during

transportation

can lead to bruising of

vegetables

,

while

delays may cause spoilage or contamination of

fruits

.

Nonetheless

, to ensure adequate quantities and high-quality products,

this

transportation

trend must persist. Integration of freezing equipment in transport vehicles can effectively preserve freshness and minimize adverse effects during transit. In conclusion,

while

long-distance

transportation

of fresh produce entails challenges

such

as weather and road

conditions

, it remains the most viable means for urban consumers to access quality

vegetables

and

fruits

. The fertile soil, clean air, and expansive agricultural lands available in rural areas support

this

practice, making it indispensable for meeting urban dietary needs.