KOCHI: Spiraling vegetable prices, health issues caused by the pesticide content in the cultivated crops, lack of space in the house to grow vegetables... city folks face quite a few troubles when it comes to procuring fresh and quality veggies.Well, ‘Haritha Nagari’, the terrace gardening scheme of Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK), an urban homestead farming venture might appear a god-send to those who have been looking for some alternatives.VFPCK provides potted vegetable seedlings that people grow in the premises of the house. Since it requires only little space, vegetables can be cultivated in the terrace, courtyard and even in the interiors. The project is a huge hit in a city like Kochi, where there are space constraints. After prior registration, 25 potted vegetable seedlings are provided to the customer for `3500. The buyer can select the vegetables of his/her choice. Around 15 variety of vegetables, including tomato, cabbage, carrot, ladies finger and other seasonal varieties are available. Organic seeds are procured from Palakkad. Indu K Paul, deputy manager, VFPCK, Haritha Nagari says, “The project is getting huge acceptance in the city of late. So far 120 people have ordered for the vegetable pots this financial year. The project aims at cultivating organic vegetables free from pesticides. Now the households can cultivate fresh vegetables in terraces and be self-sufficient. This also helps them to utilise the recycled household waste efficiently for cultivation of crop through vermi- composting.” Madhusudhanakurup from Edapally, who has made use of this project says, “I have cultivated spinach, bitter guard, cucumber, pumpkin, cauliflower, tomato and many other vegetables. Yam and tapioca have been also cultivated in sacks in the terrace. VFPCK provides us the pot, soil and seedlings. They set them in our house and provide us with the necessary instructions. Now it is the harvest time. We have to recondition the soil and the next season will begin at November.”Shabin, another terrace farm enthusiast from Tripunithura who has grown pea, brinjal and varieties of chillies says, “Terrace farming is really a good way to grow one’s own vegetables. It gives you a lot of joy to see them grow, and besides one gets fresh vegetables and does not need to buy them from the markets,” he says.In addition to this, technical classes are provided to the households so as to guide them properly. Mushroom cultivation training is also given to the people on a regular basis. VFPCK has facilities to drop off the plants at houses situated 10 kms from their headquarters, situated in Eachamukku. The seedlings are available at the VFPCK all year round.
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