JOIN USHorticulture department to boost terrace gardening
Dakshina Kannada is one among 14 districts in the State, chosen by the Horticulture Department to implement a much awaited project on terrace and kitchen gardening, under Rastriya Krishi Vikasa Yojane (RKVY). With the help of new farming cultures like Hydroponics, Aeroponics, soilless farming, the department is all set to boost urban farmers.
The main objective of the project is to create awareness about the possibilities of growing nutritious veggies in limited space and using limited resources which can be a step towards food security. The project would train people towards growing vegetables in an organic way, using bio-wastage which would help in health management, as well as in waste management. Terrace and kitchen gardening would motivate people towards rain water harvesting, reuse of kitchen water and drip irrigation.
According to the officials, it would help to develop environment culture among kids.
New methods
For the effective implementation of the project, the department has decided to make use of few modern inventions in the field of farming like Hydroponics, Aeroponics, soilless culture and using bio-digester to grow vegetables. Hydroponics, an Israel technology, where one can grow fruits and vegetables in water, just using sand or grit stones by pumping fertilising solution. Though it requires few types of machinery, the quality of the veggies will be good, it is said. In Aeroponics, veggies are grown without soil, just using the moisture of the environment. Here fertilising solution will be sprayed to the roots of the saplings. Soilless culture is providing fertiliser (may be liquid or solid) to the saplings on the basis of substrate. In this technology, vegetables can be grown using coco pit, stagnum pit, vermiculate, bark chips, rise hulls, sedge peat, and saw dust.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dakshina Kannada Agriculture Department Head Quarter Assistant Praveen said that under the project, interested persons are grouped into units, where one unit would comprise 1,000 people. Training will be given to them according to their interest with the coordination of a resource institute. Demonstrations will he organised in public places like parks and also in private gardens. Later, beneficiaries may implement the methods it in their farms, he said.
Funds released
“In the first phase, the scheme will be implemented at 14 districts of the State, including Bangalore North, Mysore, Mandya, Chikmagalur, Tumkur, Hassan, Shimoga, Davangere, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Bagalkote, Bidar and Belgaum.
“In Dakshina Kannada, we have an intention to train at least 2,000 people (two units) mainly from Mangalore and Bantwala. For the implementation of terrace gardening and kitchen gardening, it needs materials at least worth Rs 500 per person. The department would give a kit worth Rs 250 per person. Interested will also get incentives, bio-mix, seeds or saplings”.
“The government has sanctioned Rs 31.45 lakh for the implementation of the scheme in the district and Rs 12 lakh has been released already for the year. Once tendering process gets completed, the implementation would start in December itself,” he told Deccan Herald.