VISAKHAPATNAM: Vizagites can now grow their own organic vegetables right on their terraces, and savour the feeling of “garden fresh veggies”, and save up on the regular trip to the market. Thanks to the Horticulture Department for its initiative to encourage ‘edible’ terraces in metropolitan cities, terrace farming is quite the literal deal.
As a pilot project, the Horticulture Department will provide around 50 per cent subsidy on seeds and necessary equipment for growing vegetable gardens on the terraces of 50 beneficiaries in various cities like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. Unlike normal nurseries, this project deals with raising 12 varieties of vegetables including tomato, brinjal, spinach, chilli etc. The Horticulture Department will supply all the necessary materials including seeds, manure, crates, polyethene sheets, and water sprinkler at 50 per cent subsidy to the beneficiaries. Horticulture technical head (Visakhapatnam) K Sailaja told Express that as part of the project, as many as 50 beneficiaries can avail the offer, with 23 people already having come foward.
“People from Akkayyapalem, MVP Colony, Seethammadhara, Visalakshi Nagar and other areas in the city have evinced interest in growing veggies on their terraces. All that they need for the project is to provide us with 100 sq feet area on their terrace. We will supply the material on subsidy and even teach them the techniques, if they are unaware of them,” she explained.
The crates covered with polythene sheets will initially be filled with soil and manure, after which seeds are sowed. As many as four saplings can be planted in each crate and the plants do not need much water. Polyethene sheets do not allow seepage of water and neem oil can be used for controlling pests. One can get the produce within three months. The horticulture officials claim that after the growth span of three months, the amount invested in raising terrace vegetables will be much lesser than buying the same at the market.
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