GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES

(URBAN FARMING)

GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE
 Grow your own vegetables
(Urban Vegetable Farming)
Prologue:

Due to urbanization, cities are carrying population beyond their threshold

capacity, city of Hyderabad is not an exception.

Hyderabad is one of the rapidly growing Metropolitan cities in India. Hyderabad

Metropolitan Region (HMR) encompassing about 7257 Sq.Km of area is one of the
largest metropolitan development areas in the country. At present, the area has a
population about 9.6 million and is likely to be doubled in the next two decades. The
city planners emphasizing the concept of greening of available terraces / tiny vacant
places to cater to the ecological and sociological needs of urban population.

Promoting urban vegetables cultivating on roof tops / back yards / balconies

would be beneficial in catering to the needs of the denizens and to maintain good
health standards. Growing of vegetables on terraces would be a beneficial to be self-
reliant in production of fresh vegetables. It is estimated that an area of 40 to 50
Sq.mts of terraces would be sufficient to meet the requirement of a family of (4)
persons for 12 months.

Keeping the beneficial effects of urban farming, the said scheme is being
implementing from the last 2 years i.e. 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Progress till date (2012-13 & 2013-14):

During the year 2012-13 & 2013-14, this scheme was extended to the 425 and
425 Nos of families respectively. In this programme a vegetable kit was supplied with
Silpaulin covers -4 ,Potting mixture-52Cft,12 varieties of seed packet-(1), Seedlings of
papaya & curry leaf each one, Neem oil-(1ltr), Neem cake (25 kg bag), one Secateurs,
one Kurpi, one Sprayer, one Shower. This kit is one stop solution for vegetable
growing on terraces.

A total of 20 training programmes were conducted to the beneficiaries with the

help of experts in vegetable cultivation from Dr.Y.S.R.H.University. A booklet on
vegetable cultivation (in Telugu) was also provided to the beneficiaries. Nearly apart
from production of vegetables an area of 30,000 Sq.feet area was brought under the
greenery on terraces.
 A team of officers from the Government of Tamilnadu, Horticulture Department
have visited and inspired by this programme and also launched the same scheme in
their state based on the guidelines framed by our Government.

Action plan 2014-15:

Newly formed state of Telangana is encountering socio-economic changes in

respect of Hyderabad metro region in so many issues particularly horti produce. Any
tilt in the supply chain of vegetables will directly affect the prices of vegetables in the
twin cities of Hyderabad, the echoes of all corners of life, will attract the attention of
the administrators.

In Hyderabad there are 12 No. of Rythu Bazars and 3 No of vegetable

marketing committees. Apart from other fresh malls not fulfilling the need of
vegetables required for this burgeoning city. Nearly 70-80 % of vegetables are coming
from the other states to city of Hyderabad even though there is a congenial
atmosphere prevailing in the state of Telangana.
Scope:

The city of Hyderabad has the population of 100lakhs out of which nearly 20
lakhs are regular visitors. The city has good terracing area, which is suitable place for
growing of greens like vegetables.

Presently, the concept of Gated Community spreading like anything, in which

soft landscaping is placing an important role. Apart from the existing building, these
skyscrapers are the ideal for growing of vegetables on the terraces. This vegetable
landscape will enhances beauty of their living areas.
 Objectives:

a. The producer gets fresh vegetables at cheaper rates.

b. Physical exercise and rejuvenate to the city dwellers.
c. By growing greens, ambient temperatures will be maintained in
surroundings.
d. Home stead gardening modifies micro climate and thus reduces global
warming.
e. The joy of consuming our own home grown vegetables gives immense
satisfaction and satiety.
f. Good use of frequently unused and wasted space.
g. Support Urban Vegetable demand
h. 34,000 sft will be brought into greenery by growing of vegetables.

Approach:

(a) Envisaged colonies: It is proposed for identification of Gated Communities /

existing colonies for the implementation of the programme, so that training and
delivery of goods at one place is very easy.
(b) Envisaged individual: Individual house holders also are being encouraging.

Subsidy pattern:
The Department proposes to provide 50% assistance on vegetable kit to grow
vegetables on terraces / available vacant places in the residences of identified
beneficiaries as a part of the programme in an area of 40 Sq.ft. The details of the kit
as follows:
Total cost
S. Name of the component Specifications Unit cost (in )
(in )
No
1 2 3 4 7
4 covers, 40” Dia and 12” depth,
1 Silpaulin Covers 410/- *1,722
250GSM
52 cft , Red earth, FYM in 2:1
Supply of potting mixture
2 ratio, in Poly bags of required 45 per Cft 2,340
size, (with stitching).
3 packet (12 varieties of
Seeds 50/- per Pkt. 150
3 Vegetable seeds)
Curry leaf with poly bag 1 seedlings 50/- per Seedling 50
4 Neem cake 25 kgs 13/- per Kg 325
5 Neem oil ½ ltr 130/- per ½ tr. 130
Implements – Kurpi, Secateurs,
6 1 unit 800/- per set 800
Small sprayer & shower
7 Pot tray 1 No 310/- 310
8 Poly feed 1 kg 150 per kg 150
9 Cloth bag 1 No. 23/- 23
TOTAL: 6,000
*Including taxes
 Subsidy / unit (50%) - 3,000/-
Beneficiary Contribution (50%) - 3,000/-
Total estimated cost for 1unit - 6,000/-

Eligibility criteria:

1. Applicant must be resident of Hyderabad & Secunderabad city

2. Applicant should submit address proof of house & passport size photo.
3. In case of tenants they may submit willingness / no objection certificate from
the owner.
4. In case of Apartment / complexes the application on behalf of the apartment /
flat owners association duly approved in their general body only will be
considered.
5. There should be adequate water supply for watering the plants.
6. One family should avail up to two urban farming kits.
Time frame :

It is tentatively proposed to achieve the supply of 600 Nos of urban

farming vegetable kits within 120 days and to cover an area of 24,000sq.ft as
detailed below.

S. Name of the No of units to be

No month achieved (Nos)
1 July 150
2 August 150
3 September 150
4 October 150
TOTAL: 600

Mode of Implementation :

1. Submission of application either in offline / online.

2. Wide publicity will be given on the importance of urban vegetable farming
and home grown vegetables through media, internet and colony
associations.
3. Interested applicants with a minimum of 50Sft of available space in
backyards / terraces / balconies will be registered in the cell of urban
farming, Government Gardens upon submission of required documents.
Locality wise lists will be prepared (online / offline).
 4. The area will be inspected and if found suitable for establishing urban
vegetable garden then non-subsidy portion will be collected from the
beneficiary.
5. Registered beneficiaries will be provided one day training/orientation
programme at HTI, Red hills with emphasis on hands on experience.
6. Supply of inputs and material shall be arranged through empanelled firms
or Departmental method of execution as the case may be.
7. The material will be handed over to the beneficiary immediately after
training and they shall make their own arrangements for transport.
8. The photographs / Videos of the vegetable garden along with the
beneficiary shall be obtained before and after grounding of work
preferably with land mark and a record shall be maintained in the Urban
farming Cell.

9. Monitoring and Guidance

Apart from assistance on inputs and materials, constant guidance is

proposed to be provided to the beneficiaries to develop the programme into a
successful long term venture envisaged to cover maximum possible residences
in Hyderabad.

10.Financial outlay:
The project is aimed to cover 600 beneficiaries in Greater Hyderabad
during 2014-15. The Total Project Cost is estimated to be 60.00lakhs out of
which the beneficiary contribution is 18.00 lakhs
Amount
Component
( In lakhs)
Subsidy portion to cover 600 units(beneficiaries)
18.00
at 50% subsidy i.e., 3,000/- per unit
Beneficiary Contribution 18.00
Capacity Building 4.00
(including vegetable seed packet for sale)
Total cost of the project: 40.00

The subsidy amount ( 22.00lakhs) will be met from either RKVY or State
Plan funds.

“Grow your own vegetables & get the nutritive values”.