Urban farming offers many unique solutions to combat the ill effects of urbanization. Apart from drastically reducing the food miles (the distance a food item has to travel from farm to consumer), the key benefits include protection of natural resources, pesticide-free organic food, better waste management, changes in micro climate, increased span of greenery, efficient use of vacant space/terrace and tremendous savings for the household.
Vegetables consumed on a daily basis such as tomatoes, brinjal, chillies, capsicums, ladies finger, beans, cowpea, dolichos, radish, beet root, carrot, cucumber, baby corn, sweet corn, sweet potato, onions, green peas, bitter gourd, snake gourd, bottle gourd & ridge gourds, cabbage, cauliflowers, drum sticks, pumpkins and mushrooms are some of the vegetables that can be grown through urban farming. Urban farming also contributes to food security, food safety and nutrition security apart from financial security especially for the urban folk.
Speaking at the launch event Dr. B.L.Chidananda Associate professor, GKVK said “The practice of soilless culture is best suited for urban conditions as it is very light weight and does not harm the roof. The session includes information on organic pesticides and their production using materials used in our day to day life such as neem and concoctions made of onion, garlic and chillies.”
Speaking at the launch of the event, Chandrashekar Hariharan, Chairman & Co- Founder, BCIL Zed Homes, said “Through this initiative BCIL hopes that the students will take what they learn at the event, and share the knowledge with students from other institutions. These students will in turn spread awareness regarding the benefits of urban farming and how simple and rewarding it is for everyone. The initiative could be the stepping stone for a larger movement; a movement which seeks to create a sustainable environment that benefits every citizen of the country.”
“If every 2, 00,000 middle-class homes and apartments in Bangalore were to produce organic composite at home the city will produce a whopping 1, 60,000 kgs of organic compost per month. This in turn, can fertilize 13 lakh plants. By inculcating this even in small measures, cities can become exporters of organic fertilizers for our rural farmers.” he added.
Dr. Geetha, HOD Zoology, St Josephs College said, “We are happy to partner with BCIL and GKVK in promoting the habit of urban farming among the younger generation. Inculcating such green habits in the activities of young people will influence them to do more towards conserving our environment. By inducing green habits in students who are the future citizens of the country, we can ensure a greener future for our country.”
About BCIL:
Biodiversity Conservation (India) Ltd. is an ecologically committed organisation with 3 faces to it. One that promotes pioneering residential projects. The other offers green and sustainability consulting strategies to corporate majors. The third engages global and Indian institutions in disseminating knowledge and training to various segments of workers and professionals in the construction industry. Headquartered in Bangalore, BCIL's hallmark has been sustainable design management and building and construction management aimed to preserve environmental values in construction, energy, water, waste, biomass, air and materials management.
BCIL has created over a million Sq feet of such projects in the last five years. Over 700,000 Sq feet of self-promoted residential projects are currently under way. Apart from this, over 4 million Sq feet of residential projects between Pune, Raipur, Baroda and Chennai are being driven by BCIL ZedLabs, the Consulting division. BCIL also has interests in creation of ecotourism destination. The company is setting up a project in Coorg for the protection of a rainforest patch and the protection of such irreplaceable havens of biodiversity. The company has served as consultants for Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland and Madhya Pradesh over many years. For more information on BCIL, please visit www.ecobcil.com
The Company has won some of the most respected and distinguished national and global awards for pioneering innovations in the building industry.
* The company has consulted on energy-efficient architecture for the Paris-based ADEME, the Manila-based ADB, Seoul-based UN Habitat and other such organizations.
* The Company’s technology direction is directly impacting over Rs 1500 crore of buildings projects
* The company is executing projects in Goa, Coorg in the Western Ghats, Mysore, and Bangalore. BCIL continues to be today India’s largest Green Homes builder.
