92.
Joy Of Farming
In One Of The Densest Cities In The World
Mumbai is one of the densest cities in the world, 48,215 persons per km² and 16,082 per km² in suburban areas. There was twelve fold increase in its population in last one century. Greater Mumbai, formed by City Island and Salsette Island, is the largest city in India with a population of 16.4 million, according to 2001 census.
In a scenario like this, urban agriculture seems unlikely since it must compete with real estate developers for vacant lots. Alternative farming methods have emerged as a response to scarcity of land, water, and economic resources.
Dr. R T Doshi's is taking a lead in popularizing terrace/ balcony gardens. His methods are revolutionary and do not require big investment or long hours of work. His farming practice is organic and is mainly directed towards domestic consumption. He utilizes locally available materials such as sugarcane waste, polyethylene bags, tires, containers, garbage cans, cylinders, and soil. The containers and bags (open at both ends) are filled with sugarcane stalks, compost, and garden soil. The water requirement is much less compared to conventional field farming.
He has grown different types of fruit such as mangos, figs, guavas, bananas, and sugarcane stalks on his terrace of 1,200 sq ft (110 m2) in Bandra. This concept of city farming consumes the entire household's organic waste. He subsequently makes the household self-sufficient in the provision of food: 5 kilograms (11 lb) of fruits and vegetables are produced daily for 300 days a year. (RUAF Foundation. Handouts on Case Studies)
This idea is being taken up by the local schools. In the Rosary High school, Dockyard Road, a city farm was created on a terrace area of 400 sq ft (37 m2). The main objective of the project was to promote economic support for street children, beautify the city landscape, supply locally produced organic food and to manage organic waste in a sustainable manner. This project had the participation of street children. The farm produced vegetables, fruits, and flowers. There was noticeable change in the behaviour of street children after their participation in the project.
Mumbai Port Trust has developed an organic farm on the terrace of its central kitchen, in an area of approximately 3,000 sq ft (280 m2). This central kitchen serves food to approximately 3,000 employees daily, generating large amounts of organic waste.
This terrace farm was started initially to dispose of the kitchen waste in an eco-friendly way. This project recycles ninety percent of this waste. Staff members, after their duty hours, love to tend the garden which has about 150 plants.
In a scenario like this, urban agriculture seems unlikely since it must compete with real estate developers for vacant lots. Alternative farming methods have emerged as a response to scarcity of land, water, and economic resources.
Dr. R T Doshi's is taking a lead in popularizing terrace/ balcony gardens. His methods are revolutionary and do not require big investment or long hours of work. His farming practice is organic and is mainly directed towards domestic consumption. He utilizes locally available materials such as sugarcane waste, polyethylene bags, tires, containers, garbage cans, cylinders, and soil. The containers and bags (open at both ends) are filled with sugarcane stalks, compost, and garden soil. The water requirement is much less compared to conventional field farming.
He has grown different types of fruit such as mangos, figs, guavas, bananas, and sugarcane stalks on his terrace of 1,200 sq ft (110 m2) in Bandra. This concept of city farming consumes the entire household's organic waste. He subsequently makes the household self-sufficient in the provision of food: 5 kilograms (11 lb) of fruits and vegetables are produced daily for 300 days a year. (RUAF Foundation. Handouts on Case Studies)
This idea is being taken up by the local schools. In the Rosary High school, Dockyard Road, a city farm was created on a terrace area of 400 sq ft (37 m2). The main objective of the project was to promote economic support for street children, beautify the city landscape, supply locally produced organic food and to manage organic waste in a sustainable manner. This project had the participation of street children. The farm produced vegetables, fruits, and flowers. There was noticeable change in the behaviour of street children after their participation in the project.
Mumbai Port Trust has developed an organic farm on the terrace of its central kitchen, in an area of approximately 3,000 sq ft (280 m2). This central kitchen serves food to approximately 3,000 employees daily, generating large amounts of organic waste.
This terrace farm was started initially to dispose of the kitchen waste in an eco-friendly way. This project recycles ninety percent of this waste. Staff members, after their duty hours, love to tend the garden which has about 150 plants.