Looking at the structure of household waste in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, 66% of the waste is biodegradable*. If those waste can be managed at home by making compost, the amount of garbage to be disposed at the landfill site can be reduced. Kitchen garden and rooftop garden are the best solutions that promotes management of biodegradable waste. The compost can be used to grow vegetables, flowers and plants as nutrient. Majority of the waste is produced in the market and residential areas but since there is not enough land for Kitchen Garden, rooftop garden has been given priority and this photo competition has been organized to promote rooftop gardening practices in such areas.
An open call was made for participation in the contest which was organized in collaboration with Bharatpur Metropolitan City. 26 participants had submitted their pictures, out of which 13 best practices were selected in for the final evaluation. A team of representative from Bharatpur Metropolitan City Environment Section, agricultural consultant and expert of rooftop gardening visited the selected participants for the evaluation of their rooftop garden.
From the conversations with the participants and the evaluation of their rooftop garden, we have prepared a ‘Story of My Rooftop Garden’ series. Best four participants were rewarded with prizes (gardening tools) and certificates.
Winners:
- Maya Devi Poudel | Mahakaleshwar Toll, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
- Jai Prakash Gyawali Pokhareli Toll, Bharatpur 12, Chitwan
- Dhanikala Kafle | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
- Sushma Piya | Putalibazar, Bharatpur 1, Chitwan.
Other participants were also rewarded with grow ba
gs and certificates for their participation. The contest has sent a positive message to the society and has encouraged many to initiate rooftop farming. Also, it has helped people to understand better practice of rooftop farming and know its advantages to the health and environment.
A story telling session was conducted during prize distribution ceremony which was organized at office of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Environment Section. Also, a committee is formed to promote rooftop farming practices so as to support reduction of household waste management.
Story 1: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Maya Devi Poudel | Mahakaleshwar Toll, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 3 Maya Devi Poudel | Mahakaleshwar Toll, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“We haven’t bought any vegetables from outside for seven years. We grow vegetables for the family in small Karesabari and Kaisi farms in the same 13 dhur. Lemons are growing all year round. Gheraunla, bitter gourd, bean and other herbaceous crops are very good. Now we have planted flowers, strawberries, some herbaceous plants and vegetables.
I never use pesticides on plants. I have made my own medicine. And I’m also making feces in rings and other pots. I make the necessary EM solution for the manure myself. I have made many pots to make good use of old clothes and carpets and the production is very good. When neighbors and relatives come, I show them rooftopkheti. Everyone appreciates it very much. I also teach them what I know. I am teaching them to make pots, store seeds, make EM solution, make organic pesticides and take care of vegetable crops. I make benches, racks, fish crates, brick beds and plant them in pots, plastic buckets, tins, sacks, drums etc. to prevent seepage on the roof. It is also easy to clean and safe. My husband also helps me in farming.
Eat healthy vegetables produced in a non-toxic home, be healthy, make good use of your free time, make your home look beautiful and be good for the environment. The benefits are many. I am very happy to cultivate rooftop.
Story 2: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Shobha Lamichhane | Mahakaleshwar Toll, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 4 Shobha Lamichhane | Mahakaleshwar Toll, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“I started planting vegetables, fruits and flowers on the roof of the house as soon as I learned the practice of kaisi farming. I make compost by keeping it. Sometimes I also prepare it in old buckets and pots.
I have made old crates, rentals, buckets, pots, plastic, rented pots that can be used for any purpose and planted them. Husband also supports. Vegetables grown on the roof can be eaten safely. For the sake of this health, it is beneficial for the environment as well as the house looks beautiful, so I am very happy with Kaisi farming.”
Story 3: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Tulsha Devi Ghimire | Mahakaleshwar Toll, Purnima Chaek, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 5 Tulsha Devi Ghimire | Mahakaleshwar Toll, Purnima Chaek, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“I have planted some vegetables, flowers and fruit plants in a small area of Kaisi. This year, Ghiraila, Karela and Baedi have been growing for a long time. You have to do regular prayers for your husband. I also make EM bags. I use bars, plastic bags, buckets and other utensils as pots. Some farming is very easy.”
Story 4: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Krishnamaya Sedhai | Radhakrishna Toll, Bharatpur 12, Chitwan.
Table 6 Krishnamaya Sedhai | Radhakrishna Toll, Bharatpur 12, Chitwan
“It has been 4 years since I started planting vegetables and flowers in Kaisi. Since it benefits the health and environment, I am now learning and practicing. No. Sometimes I also use Pinaka as Malka.
I have planted fish trays, buckets, plastic drums, old rents, barrels, pots and more. I bring the seeds and store them at home, including noodles, milk and plastic. The pesticide has not been used yet. This time cauliflower was produced in abundance.
I get the same support from all the members of the household. So it’s easy. ”
Story 5: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Jay Prakash Gyawali Paekhreli Toll, Bharatpur 12, Chitwan.
Table 7 Jai Prakash Gyawali Paekhreli Toll, Bharatpur 12, Chitwan.
“I have been planting vegetables, flowers and fruits in my house for more than five years now. I have made an iron stand for the protection of the pot which is easy to clean and also keeps the roof safe.
I have been making manure from the use of decaying foam. I do not use pesticides. I grow vegetables myself and it is a pleasure to take care of them.”
Story 6: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Dhanikala Kafle | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 8 Dhanikala Kafle | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“It’s been 10 years since I started cultivating rooftop. Now I’m 81 years old, but I still spend about 3-4 hours a day on rooftop farming. At this age, rooftop farming has been very helpful in reducing my health complications.
I have planted vegetables, fruits, flowers, lemons and various herbs on the roof. I have used clay pots, old buckets, grow bags, old plastic containers, and containers etc. as pots. I have also used the old bathtub to make organic fertilizer and improve the soil. I prepare the seedlings myself at home and I am also making the fertilizer by composting organic waste. I have never used pesticides for my plants.
The plants that grow on this roof are as dear to me as my children. As long as the body supports me, I will be enjoying Rooftop farming. ”
Story 7: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Baburam Kandel | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 9 Baburam Kandel | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“I haven’t started rooftop farming for a long time until I built a new home. Now I practice rooftop farming and enjoy spending time here. I have planted vegetables and flowers in roof top. I prepare compost by collecting the organic waste from kitchen and garden and use them as nutrient for plants.”
Story 8: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Kopila Shrestha | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 10 Kopila Shrestha | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“I have planted different varieties of flowers using old pots, plastic containers and earthenware pots. At first, I used to put a lot of vegetables in fish trays, but after some time, I have to remove them because if seepage problem. Now I have only flowers on my roof. I also do grafting and make my own fertilizer for the flowers from organic waste. Now the flowers are in full bloom and I enjoy taking care of them.”
Story 9: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Khusmaya Gurung | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 11 Khusmaya Gurung | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“It’s been more than 10 years since I started planting vegetables, flowers and fruits in roof top. I have been growing garlic, greens, seasonal vegetables and lentils, including gray bags. I have also raised goats and chickens so that I do not run out of manure.
I like rooftop farming very much as you can get healthy and fresh food grown on your own roof. I do not use pesticides. Family members also contribute their free time. When I am not there, my daughter-in-law takes care of it. I’m very happy.”
Story 10: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Sita Sapkaeta Adhikari | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 12 Sita Sapkaeta Adhikari | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“I have planted greens, lemons, vegetables and flowers in my roof top. This year Red Pepper has grown very well. As it is under the truss, I have also planted indoor plants. I have used old drums, plastic bags, cemented and earthen pots to grow flowers and vegetables. I make compost from organic wast. I never use pesticides. If there is disease on plants, I use home remedies.
I prefer to grow my own vegetable plants. I like rooftop farming very much as I can eat clean organic vegetables that can be grown in my own roof top and the home environment also looks green and beautiful.”
Story 11: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Tikaram Gaire | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
Table 13 Tikaram Gaire | Syauli Bazaar, Bharatpur 10, Chitwan.
“I have been practicing rooftop farming for about 4 years. Initially, I could not grow vegetables as I had no idea. Gradually, I started to understand and learn from various sources.
I have now planted vegetables in more than 110 grow bags on my roof. I use the soil only after treating it well. I also use compost chamber for composting. Pesticides have not been used yet. The soil is like a woman’s womb, the soil should not be spoiled.
By cultivating vegetables in rooftop this way, you can get healthy food and clean air. It also keeps the house cool. I spend my free time in roof top.”
Story 12: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Sushila Neupane | Putalibazar, Bharatpur 1, Chitwan.
Table 14 Sushila Neupane | Putalibazar, Bharatpur 1, Chitwan.
“I have been planting various vegetables on the roof since last 13 years. I have planted flowers, vegetables, fruits and other plants in old drums, pots, fish trays, buckets, tin cans and barrels. I make my own fertilizer for the plants. I also learned things by watching TV.
It’s a bit busy schedule for me in recent days. But every day, I spend 1-2 hours a day in rooftop gardening.”
Story 13: Story of My Rooftop Garden
Sushma Piya | Putalibazar, Bharatpur 1, Chitwan.
Table 15 Sushma Piya | Putalibazar, Bharatpur 1, Chitwan.
“It has been a long time since I started farming. I have a four storey house and I have planted something on each floor. It has made the environment of my home beautiful.
I have a utensils shop in the ground floor of my house. I don’t throw away the old and worn out utensils. I have re-used it as a pot. I have planted vegetables, flowers and fruits. From biodegradable waste out of kitchen and my rooftop garden I make compost manure in ring chamber and bins and used it as fertilizers that help plants grow better. I plant seeds in egg crates, milk plastic etc. I also gift the plants I grow to my neighbors and guests who visit my house.
I had taken the training in making compost manure a long time ago and I have been practicing it since a long time. My family can eat self-grown, fresh, clean and pesticide free vegetables even though we live in the market, so I am very happy with my rooftop garden. “