India adapting Urban Farming at state level is a major step to promote green drive

Delhi’s state administration promoted new green drive through introducing urban farming in this year’s budget. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that administration was planning to push ‘Urban Farming’ campaign with a motive to encourage residents of the capital to do farming on their rooftops, kitchen or balconies. According to the administration, the initiative will not only increase green areas but will also provide green jobs. Residents will get training and support from 40 master trainers in agricultural awareness workshops alongside Industry partners will also conduct 600 entrepreneurship training programs for 15,000 people for better understanding and scope. The whole action plan will be represented by environment committees that are NGOs, RWAs, environment activists, MLAs and councilors.

This is the first time when a state administration is planning to motivate people to adapt urban farming and is also ready to provide complete guidance. Environment Minister Rai said that since greenery is vanishing from urban areas, over population is also a challenge for the administration. In such situation, space for future plantation is turning into concrete houses. Concept of urban farming can only contribute positively to this alarming situation. Bringing farming to urban areas is a significant and relevant decision that should be adapted by other states too, says Vijayalakshmi who is an environmental activist. In conversation with her, she told the initiative has multiple plus points than minus.

‘Today, we hardly see greenery in metropolitan cities. And even if we do, we take a moment to look at the view because it is a rare sight now. Pushing people to do urban farming is a very needed and significant step taken by administration. It will expand green space and green jobs’, said Vijayalakshmi. She further added that organizations and people working for environment are in touch with administration about further updates or any details regarding the plan. On asking what exactly the term Urban farming is, Vijayalakshmi explained that the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in and around urban areas is called urban farming, gardening or agriculture. She told EAT news, ‘If there is enough sunlight, people can actually cultivate plants and vegetables on their rooftops and balconies. Through this they will have insecticide and harmful chemicals free edibles which is good for their health.’

According to administration through this smart urban farming initiative, 25,000 families will have benefit within a year. Vijayalakshmi commented on prepared target and said, ‘As I mentioned earlier, green view is a rare sight now. Spreading this plan as much as possible will have positive impact on environment. Explaining and training Urban farming to the masses will only reach to its real motive and will expand the plan for green future.’

Farming is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of population in India. Agriculture and farming are what most of the Indians are connected to, no matter where they are. Urban Farming is not new and is followed by many people of differently. It is being carried out in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru under state administration or private agencies and even some individuals. Vijayalakshmi described one of the cases of urban farming and said, ‘I was at Kolkata for my field job few months back. I met Subodh who is retired and spending his days learning about urban farming. He showed me his cultivated rooftop that had vegetables, herbs and different plants. He shared number of failed attempts he had, before reaching this point. He does it alone without any guidance, only through reading and watching about the farming.’

Recalling another case she shared, ‘One of my batchmate wanted to have organic vegetables on her rooftop and even did it. But due to lack of guidance and unique concept, it did not last long.’ According to her, people love growing and creating such green spaces at their houses especially in urban areas and the concept is highly adapted wherever it is known, but with lack of knowledge its not completely out there.

All administration should introduce urban farming officially so that people interested can get proper training and support from them, and uninterested ones can understand the concept for being familiar with it, as per activist Vijayalakshmi. She thinks with the help of higher authorities, proper training, workshops and other provided knowledge can make urban farming a successful drive for better and brighter future. She said, ‘There are small start ups rising with the motive to promote urban farming. Even small efforts are essential and countable in present environmental crisis. And when an administration promotes it, it becomes global.’

Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called it a healthy step for people. According to the information, horticulture department will act as a nodal department. Soon, Environment security committee will be form that will keep a complete check on the Programme. It is also said, a planned system will operate and provide materials required for urban farming to the people on their one call.

Since urban areas are rapidly covering majority of the earth space, planning and executing ‘green plan’ is essential. Making people familiar with urban farming is a gift to them and to earth.