Innovative technological interventions for rooftop gardening, peri-urban and urban horticulture

for aesthetics, nutrition, and healthy environment in selected cities of Odisha

funded under State Plan Scheme- Innovative technologies for promotion of urban horticulture in Odisha

RTG Project Hero

Rooftop Gardening Project

Transforming Urban Spaces into Green Ecosystems

5,000 Urban Farmers
5 Cities
2026 Target Year

Our Mission & Vision

Vision Statement

To transform urban rooftops into thriving green ecosystems that promote sustainable living, environmental responsibility, and food security of urban communities.

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.

Project Objectives

Five key objectives driving our rooftop gardening initiative

01

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.

Scientific Methods Circular Economy IoT Monitoring
02

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.

Higher Productivity Mental Wellbeing Healthy Nutrition
03

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.

Quality Seeds Planting Material Nutrition Supply
04

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.

Workshops Competitions Entrepreneurship
05

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.

Subsidy Schemes Survey Data Policy Framework

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Terrace Gardening Protocol

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

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.

Our Partner Agencies

Collaborative partnerships driving sustainable urban farming initiatives

Partner Agencies Partner Logo 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

Access RTG Portal

Join our digital platform to track your gardening progress, connect with fellow urban farmers, and access resources.