Benefits of terrace farming

Terrace cultivators get garden-fresh vegetables and eggs, all of which are nutritious and especially when compared to those sold in the markets-free of chemical residues. Families also saves money. Some estimates shows that total production figures of vegetables in one year is more than 1000 tons. According to some estimates, production cost may reach upto Rs.5000 per year for growing vegetables in a 40 metre square terrace, the value of vegetables produced can easily exceed a total of Rs.40,000.

Many middle-aged and older people in the city have health problems like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholestrol levels as a result of their busy, yet sedentary life style. By farming in their terraces, they get some physical exercise daily which is a preventive measure against many of these problems. At the same time, house wastes are reduced as they are recycled for the production of vermicompost.

How terrace farmimg done?

The practice of terrace farming requires filling gunny bags or pots with a mixture of two parts of soil, one part of sand and one part of vermicompost ( or any other organic manure like dried cowdung, poultry manure or goat manure, depending on its availability). These are placed on bricks put on the terrace to avoid direct contact with terrace surface. Many different vegetables can be planted in gunny bags. Crop rotation is advised to reduce pest population and irrigation needs to be done carefully so that water will not drain on to the terraces. If all family members go away they are recommented to place water-filled plastic bags with pinholes on the plants. Vermicompost, dried cowdung, ordinary compost or neem cake are used for periodical manuring. Some families also grow certain crops under greenhouses. Many families also stretch tarpaulin sheets to provide shade in the terrace, under which chickens can be raised in small sheds. Other households have opted for growing azolla in tanks made using tarpaulin. These bluegreen algae are used as mulch and manure for the plants and also as poultry feed. Apart from using soap solution, pests are also controlled manually or by using botanical pesticides like tobacco decoction, neem kernal suspension, neem oil-garlic emulsions, or bit-traps. Pest incidence is not severe as the terraces get a lot of direct sun light.

Where and Why ???????

The value of land in urban area is very high compared to nearby semi-urban and rural areas, so houses in the city have very little or no surrounding area at all for doing any farming. Food consumed in the city comes generally from vegetable farmers in nearby area, as well as from farmers in the neighbouring states. The vegetables which are brought o markets, mainly from other states, contains large amound of harmfull substances like pesticides used during farming. These chemicals create several health problems to city people. But they are not left with any other choice, but to buy these vegetables from markets. Not only lack of space is a problem for people in urban area, but the lack of time to spare is also a problem for growing vegetables in their roof tops. They will be getting only one day in an entire week as holiday. The atmospheric pollution is also a barrier for growing vegetable in busy urban area.

Vege-Terrace

All varities of vegetables, plants grown in a single place, would be a heart warming sight for a health-conscious, nature loving vegetarian.Terrace farming or roof top gardening is ideal for urban homes with flat roofs.This will not only enhance the beauty of the surroundings and provide the much needed oxygen in the polluted city space, but also bring down the temperature of the building substantially. The green lawn and the plants are efficient harvestors of sun, and they protect the roof from the direct sun, preventing the heating up of the building. Inexpensive terrace gardens can be made without disturbing the basic infrastructure of a house . What is needed is a good weather proofing of the roof-top with a high grade, quick setting water-proof cement , and a thin layer of powdered vermiculite and enriched coirpit compost. These material provide an ideal substratum for the lawn. Plants can be either be in pots or in heaper of composts laid over a cone of pebbles.Provision of adequate irrigation and good drainage is a must for maintaining an aesthetic and productive garden in the terrace