Increased awareness about eating right has made organic food products the latest rage among fitness conscious people in the country. However, organic vegetables and fruits are not available easily, and even if they are, they are very expensive.
The reason is – organic farming is quite challenging. The production yields are lower compared to conventionally grown food and the cost is higher on few parameters, too.
But there are people who have found ways and developed models for growing organic leafy vegetables that yield sufficient production for self and family and the cost is under control as well. Senior IFS officer of Telangana cadre, Mr. R. M. Dobriyal, is one of them. He grows organic vegetables on his rooftop and, also, motivates others to do so through WhatsApp groups.
Indian Masterminds interacted with the 1987-batch IFS officer, who is the Nodal Officer of Telanganaku Haritha Haram programme, and learned about his rooftop organic farming initiative.
ROOF TOP ORGANIC FARMING
Organic farming is the new face of Indian agriculture, but it faces many challenges. Smart strategy, scientific planning, responsible public activity and government support will help in overcoming those challenges.But one can take up organic farming on a small scale at one’s home, too, for family consumption, like Mr. R. M. Dobriyal does.
He said, “This is a personal initiative of mine, but I encourage common people to take it up and help them to do it. I request and motivate people to start organic kitchen garden. Whoever has a rooftop should grow organic vegetables. It will give them pure food and will also reduce carbon in the atmosphere. I grow all my vegetables myself.”
He informed that he has made a 12×12 feet field on the roof of his house. It is about one and half to two feet deep, filled with one and half feet of soil.It is here that he grows the organic vegetables. He also grows leafy vegetables in drums and bags.
WHATSAPP INITIATIVE
Mr. Dobriyal further said that he has made a horticulture WhatsApp group,on which he keeps posting messages everyday about his vegetables and how to grow them. Apart from this, he is also associated with many other WhatsApp groups, where he forwards his messages on horticulture.
“There is a group of more than 250 people.The members keep asking me questions and I keep answering and motivating them. Till now, hundreds of people have joined my initiative and are growing vegetables at home.”
He shared that he always had a dream to do organic farming. That is why he started growing vegetables on the roof of his house.
HOW TO DO IT
Giving tips on how to start growing organic vegetables on roof, Mr. Dobriyal said, “The way to do it is very simple. The main thing is the potting. Your soil should be pure organic. No pesticide or chemicals should be used in it. I prepare my own organic fertilizer. Its concept is: 50% soil + 25% vermin compost + 25% cow dung in the starting. Mix well and then expose to some sunlight. And then it is ready for use.”
STRESS BUSTER
Rooftop gardening is a stress buster for the officer. “I am a man of the forest. My mind is fixed on my rooftop garden. Tending it brings me happiness. It helps to keep stress at bay. Plus, I get to eat pure. That’s why I try to connect this initiative with everyone, be it my own department and circles, or the outside world.”
