Rajeev Ahuja, a member of the organic farming WhatsApp group said, “Knowing more about the food we eat is important. This programme is solving the problem as we now know how the vegetables and fruits we are consuming are being grown.”
As the idea of organic farming is taking hold of city residents, around 60 of them have already approached the horticulture department about organic farming. “Till now, 35 people have enrolled for membership of the plots and we have started the first phase on five acres of land which will be formally inaugurated on October 2. The second phase of the project will start on October 10,” Deen Mohammad Khan, district horticulture officer, said.
The programme is currently running on a membership basis at a charge of Rs. 3,879 per month per unit, which is 600 square yards. Keeping in mind the urban lifestyle, workers are also provided by the department to look after the maintenance and security of the crops.
The yield per unit will be sufficient for one family, the department claimed. “Residents will be able to produce 2,500 kg of potato or 1,500 kg of onions in one season from each unit. Though the yield of organic vegetables is less, they are healthy and residents can be sure of the quality of the vegetables as well,” Khan said.
Under the programme, a delivery van will also collect fresh vegetables and deliver them to residents, horticulture officials said.
(1 Indian Rupee=0.015USD)
Source: hindustantimes.com
