Vision Statement
To transform urban rooftops into thriving green ecosystems that promote sustainable living, environmental responsibility, and food security of urban communities.
State Plan Scheme · Odisha
Rooftop Gardening Project
Transforming Urban Spaces into Green Ecosystems
- 5,000Urban Farmers
- 5Cities
- 2026Target Year
Why we exist
Our Mission & Vision
Mission Statement
To mobilize and empower 5,000 urban farmers across five major cities of Odisha i.e. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Jeypore, and Sambalpur to establish rooftop gardens by 2026.
What we will deliver
Project Objectives
Five key objectives driving our rooftop gardening initiative
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Scientific Organic Gardening
Promotion of scientific gardening in organic mode in unused concrete rooftops, backyard, and front-yard areas in urban residences, and institutions through innovative horticultural technologies and carbon-negative circular economy-based activities.
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Innovative Technologies
Introduction of innovative technologies for better space utilization, waste management, higher productivity and species diversification by growing diverse fruit, vegetable, flowering, and medicinal plant varieties.
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Quality Resource Pools
Developing quality garden input resource pools in urban and peri-urban regions for ensuring continuous availability of quality seeds, planting material, nutrition, and other inputs essential for sustaining a home garden.
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Capacity Building
Capacity building of urban and peri-urban stakeholders through workshops, exposure visits, garden shows, annual competitions, and hands-on training programs, while developing entrepreneurship models for sustainability.
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Policy Development
Drafting and submission of state-sponsored subsidy schemes for the promotion of rooftop gardening and urban horticulture based on comprehensive baseline survey data.
ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru
Innovative Technologies
Introducing new innovative forms of home gardening on a mass scale with established ICAR-IIHR technologies
Our project leverages cutting-edge technologies like Arka Microbial consortium, Arka fermented cocopeat, Arka Sasya Poshak Ras, Arka Vegetable Special, Arka seed kit, Arka Urban horti-kits, Arka Urban Vertical gardens, Soil-less gardens, Hydroponic systems, and high quality seeds and planting materials from ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru.
Arka Microbial Consortium (AMC)
A revolutionary single formulation containing Nitrogen fixing, Phosphate and Zinc solubilizing, and plant growth promoting microbes. Can be applied through seed treatment, soil application, fertigation/drenching, and mixed in cocopeat-based nursery media.
Arka Vegetable Special
A vegetable crop specific micronutrient technology for higher yields and quality produce. Provides optimum micronutrients, prevents flower & fruit drop, improves quality & post-harvest life, increasing yield up to 20-30%.
Arka Sasya Poshak Ras
A liquid nutrient formulation for soilless vegetable production. Perfect for rooftop gardening, vertical gardening, and hydroponics. Contains balanced macro and micro nutrients suitable for most vegetables and leafy crops.
Arka Seed Kit
A starter pack for urban gardeners containing seeds of eight different popular vegetable crops. Includes three Arka vegetable hybrids and five improved varieties including tomato, brinjal, okra, leafy vegetables, and more.
Hydroponic Systems
Advanced technique of growing plants using water-based nutrient solutions. Ideal for balcony and rooftop gardening. Suitable for tomatoes, spinach, leafy herbs, strawberries, and other regular home-use crops.
Arka Urban Horti Kit
Developed specifically for urban horticulture needs. Allows urban families to cultivate vegetables and beautify surroundings at an affordable cost of Rs 500. Perfect for home gardening requirements.
Arka Fermented Cocopeat (AFC)
Novel substrate for raising vegetable seedlings developed through solid-state fermentation. Enriched with Arka Microbial Consortium, it's excellent for soilless cultivation of vegetables, flowers, and medicinal crops.
ICAR-IIHR Terrace Gardening Protocol
Comprehensive protocol integrating all ICAR-IIHR technologies for developing vibrant rooftop gardens. Includes crop selection, site preparation, nutrient management, and complete package of practices with cost analysis.
Arka Vertical Garden
User-friendly vertical garden structure with soilless medium for safe vegetable production. Features base frame with wheels, built-in irrigation, 16 pots, and complete nutrient management system. Cost: Rs 22,100/- with available subsidies.
Working together
Our Partner Agencies
Collaborative partnerships driving sustainable urban farming initiatives
| Partner Agencies | Responsibility | Impact |
|---|---|---|
 Plant Lovers' Association, Bhubaneswar |
Awareness, trainings, Exhibitions, Garden competitions, Flower shows for urbanites | Social awareness and adoption of rooftop gardening and institutional onboarding |
 Kitchen Garden Association, Bhubaneswar |
Field visits, on-site trainings, waste area development, rooftop visits, mobile awareness campaigns | Social awareness and adoption of urban farming |
 Institute of Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Berhampur |
Entrepreneurship development for post project sustainability | Availability of both technological resources and onsite handholding |
 Eco Solutions Bhubaneswar |
Awareness, trainings for promotion of organic farming, online database and app management | Social awareness and mobilizing of community networking |
 Trees for Tomorrow Bhubaneswar |
Awareness, trainings for promotion of organic farming, online database and app management | Social awareness and mobilizing of community networking |
 Hindustan Helping Hands, Cuttack |
Mass movements, social media awareness | Social awareness and adoption of urban farming |
 Unmukt Foundation Bhubaneswar |
Awareness and trainings for school children, slums, destitute, transgender and other vulnerable communities | Social awareness and adoption of urban farming |
 Siddha Development Research & Consultancy |
Provide term key solutions for establishing rooftop garden for medicinal and aromatic plants | Increased outreach and establishing a multiplier effect |