Hyderabad :

Urban agriculture is the new culture that is catching up in the city. More than 4000 households in the outskirts of the city currently are self reliant for the vegetable needs of the family. This time Horticulture department for a change is giving subsidy directly to the citizens instead of farmers who want to grow of complete nutrients set of vegetables.

Officials say according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates, by 2050, global food demand will grow by 70 per cent to cater to the needs of the global population of 9.3 billion. As the natural resource to feed this population is going to be difficult task urban agriculture is seen as big solution to the problem.

Speaking to TOI horticulture department director K Devamuni Reddy said that the initiative as part of urban farming is met with good response since it was initiated two months back. “We give the citizens who are ready to grow a cluster of vegetables at their home a subsidy of Rs 360 and they have to spend another Rs 1200 from their pockets” he added.

This subsidy kit involves four silatin round beds, red earth, farmyard manures, 14 bags and other essential things to grow a garden at home. Officials said though the citizens have to spend additional Rs 400 to 500 for transporting ,response has been more than good. Mostly people in Uppal, Dilsukhnagar, LB nagar, Vanastalipuram who have own houses have shown good interest with more than 4000 subsidy kits being distributed so far. Officials plan to increase this number to another 1000 in next few months.

The growers will be able to get Ladies finger, Tomato, Brinjal, Pallak, coriander, Amarathis, Ridge guard, Bottle guard, Beans, cucumber, and Cluster beans. The subsidised kit will have the required seeds and the kit will be sufficient for two seasons to grow. “The programme is designed in a way that Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR) recommendation for nutritional needs are fulfilled. With each kit there would be a yield of 450 KG yield which would be covered in a span for three to four months” K Devamuni Reddy said. It would cover nearly one hand half KGs a day for a family of four members.

Official sources said that in Hyderabad, it was found that households that produce vegetables saved 20 per cent of their total food expenditures by retaining part of the produce for household consumption. “I find this programme interesting because we can get the guidance from them directly. Costs can be brought down too” V Venkatalakshmi of LB Nagar said. Soon the officials are planning to do visits of as many as households possible and monitor their practices.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Vegetables / by Sribaala Vadlapatla, TNN / May 04th, 2013