As netizens harvest their online "vegetables" on social networking websites like Kaixin001.com, others are considering becoming "metropolitan farmers" and spending their spare time planting farms in real urban villages.

About 33.1 percent of urban workers, especially those who enjoy the online farms of social networking websites, claim they are willing to become metropolitan farmers and promote healthy eating, according to a survey carried out by Horizon Research and Horizonkey in eight major cities.

A rapid speed of living and pressures in work are the main reasons given by urban workers proclaiming a desire to return to nature, according to the survey.

About 46.7 percent of urban workers are using or have used the popular social networking website Kaixin001.com.

More than 40 percent of them say they are willing to live as metropolitan farmers. The website enjoys 80 million users.

Other reasons given include "access to green and healthy food," "enjoying the fresh air," and "relaxing the body with a little planting."

The average expenditure for urban workers to fulfill their metropolitan dreams was placed at 1,688 yuan, across the eight cities. In Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, it was slightly higher, at 1,957 yuan, which the website suggests is a promising market.

Despite the idea's potential, the website warns that urban workers often have poor knowledge and experience in planting vegetables and raising animals. Conflicts over land rental might also be a legal headache for authorities.

The survey covers more than 1,300 people from eight major cities in the country including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.