India is experiencing rapid urbanization, leading to a shortage of fresh vegetables in cities. To address this, various technologies are being promoted to enable urban areas to produce vegetables in limited spaces. One such method is Rooftop gardening, allowing people to meet their vegetable needs and generate income by growing a variety of vegetables in pots on rooftops. After the Bihar Government, the Uttarakhand Government has also launched the “Rooftop Gardening Scheme”. In this article, we are going to learn about the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme in detail. I am certain that by the end of the article, you will not have any doubt left regarding this scheme.
What is Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme 2024?
The Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme stands as the flagship initiative of the Uttarakhand Government, having been inaugurated on January 15, 2023. The scheme operates under the purview of the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing of the Uttarakhand Government, serving as the nodal department. Under this program, the Government of Uttarakhand offers financial support amounting to Rs. 25,000 for rooftop and terrace gardening projects. To qualify for this assistance, applicants must have a minimum terrace area of 300 square feet. Let’s talk about the scheme in detail.
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme 2024 Key Highlights | |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Launch Date | December 20, 2022 |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Official Website | Click Here |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Objective | to encourage terrace gardening among the population of Uttarakhand |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Financial Assistance | Rs 25,000 in two phases. |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Nodal Agency | Department of Horticulture and Food Processing of the Uttarakhand Government |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Minimum Terrace Area | 300 square feet |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Inspection Period | 3 months |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Mode of Application | Online |
| Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Helpline | Click Here |
What is Rooftop Gardening?
Rooftop gardening involves cultivating vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, chilies, capsicums, cabbage, and more in pots on rooftops, which is cost-effective. It has gained popularity in metropolitan cities where land for traditional gardening is scarce. Organic fertilizers and soilless techniques are often preferred over chemicals for these rooftop gardens.
In the 21st century, shrinking cultivable land and reduced purchasing power have limited home gardening opportunities, making rooftop gardening an attractive alternative. Everyday items like plastic buckets, tubs, and containers, as well as specially designed pots and grow bags, can be repurposed for this purpose.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Objective
The primary aim of launching the Rooftop Gardening Scheme is to encourage terrace gardening among the populace.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Key Features
1. A minimum terrace area of 300 square feet is a mandatory requirement.
2. Comprehensive one-day training in rooftop gardening will be offered to all eligible applicants.
3. Even tenants are eligible to apply for financial assistance through the Rooftop Gardening Scheme of the Uttarakhand Government.
4. Applicants must provide a No Objection Certificate from their house owner at the time of application.
5. An initial grant of Rs. 5,000/- will be disbursed to applicants upon completion of the one-day training.
6. The financial assistance provided under the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme must be exclusively utilized for the cultivation of vegetables.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the scheme, you need to have certain requirements for Eligibility. Here is the complete list of Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme eligibility criteria in detail.
1. The applicant must be a resident of Uttarakhand.
2. The applicant’s terrace area should be a minimum of 300 square feet.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Documents Required
To apply for the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme, you will need to provide several documents to verify your eligibility and ensure that you meet the scheme’s requirements. These documents include:
- Applicant’s Photograph: A recent photograph of the applicant for identification purposes.
- Aadhar Card: A valid Aadhar Card, which serves as crucial proof of identity and address.
- Proof of Residency in the Municipal Area: Documentation indicating that the applicant is a resident of the municipal area within Uttarakhand.
- Electricity Bill: A copy of the electricity bill for the premises where the terrace gardening will take place. This may be used to confirm the applicant’s address.
- Water Bill: A copy of the water bill for the same premises, further verifying the address and eligibility.
- Bank Account Information: Details of the applicant’s bank account where the financial assistance will be disbursed.
- Photograph of the Empty Terrace: A photo of the terrace before any gardening activities have commenced, serving as a record of the initial state.
- No Objection Certificate (If the Applicant is a Tenant): If the applicant is not the property owner and is a tenant, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) may be required from the property owner, granting permission for terrace gardening. This ensures compliance with any property rental agreements or regulations.
These documents collectively help the authorities assess and verify the eligibility of applicants and ensure that the scheme’s benefits are directed to those who meet the specified criteria.
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Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Benefits
The Benefits of Rooftop Gardening:
1. Promotes Health and Saves Money: Rooftop gardening not only enhances our well-being but also helps save money in the long run.
2. Provides Fresh, Pesticide-Free Produce: It offers the advantage of obtaining fresh, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables right at home.
3. Cooling Effect for Buildings: Rooftop gardens contribute to maintaining cooler indoor temperatures, benefiting energy efficiency.
4. Rainwater Harvesting: They play a vital role in collecting and utilizing rainwater effectively.
5. Connects Us with Nature: Engaging in rooftop gardening allows us to stay close to nature and foster a deeper connection with the environment.
6. Stress Reduction: Spending just 15-20 minutes tending to rooftop gardens can significantly reduce stress levels.
7. Reduces Pollution: Rooftop gardens contribute to a cleaner and healthier urban environment by mitigating pollution.
8. Medicinal Plants and Herbs: They provide an ideal space for cultivating medicinal plants and herbs, offering natural remedies at home.
9. Enhances Aesthetics: Rooftop gardens add an aesthetically pleasing dimension to the appearance of our homes.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Financial Assistance
Eligible individuals can receive the financial aid in two phases:
- an initial Rs. 5,000 will be granted upon completion of a one-day training session.
- the remaining Rs. 20,000 will be disbursed after a three-month waiting period.
To ensure compliance, officials from the concerned department will conduct a terrace inspection after these three months, with the remaining funds being released only upon successful inspection.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Essentials Tools
Essential Tools and Materials for Rooftop Gardening:
(a) Gloves: Gloves are indispensable for rooftop gardening as they prevent soil and fertilizer from accumulating under your nails and keep your hands clean while handling tasks like potting and weeding.
(b) Spade: A spade is a versatile tool necessary for tasks such as filling pots with soil, weeding, sowing seeds, creating rows for seed planting, and periodically removing weeds.
(c) Scissors and Pruner: Pruning and maintaining plant growth is essential for healthy rooftop gardens. To achieve this, you’ll need scissors or a pruner to trim branches, encourage new growth, and maintain the desired plant shape.
(d) Rope: For taller plants, especially vine or creeper vegetables, it’s crucial to provide support to guide their growth in the right direction. A rope is essential for this purpose, ensuring your plants grow effectively and neatly on your rooftop.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Types of Plants
Rooftop Gardening Plant Types and Their Space Requirements (in inches):
1. Carrots and peppers: These vegetables require an area of 9 x 9 inches.
2. Tomatoes: Tomatoes need a space of 12 x 12 inches for proper growth.
3. Turmeric, Ladyfinger, Basil, Capsicum, Ginger, etc.: These plants thrive when given a space of 15 x 15 inches on your rooftop.
4. Green Leafy Vegetables (e.g., Spinach, Coriander, Onion, Mint, etc.): Green leafy vegetables benefit from a larger area, around 18 x 9 inches.
5. Vine Vegetables (e.g., Bottle Gourd, Barbati, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Ridge Gourd, Bitter Gourd, etc.): Vine vegetables require even more space, approximately 28 x 18 inches, due to their sprawling growth habits.
Soil Requirements for Rooftop Gardening:
To cultivate thriving plants, it’s crucial to use fertile soil or a soilless mixture. Avoid selecting soil that contains chemical additives, as they can negatively impact plant yields. Soil serves as the primary source of nutrients for healthy plant growth. Opting for a premium potting mix is advisable when engaging in container gardening on the rooftop. To create an ideal potting mix, combine approximately equal parts of sand, organic manure, and soil.
Using regular garden soil for rooftop gardening is discouraged due to its higher weight and lower nutrient content. To reduce the weight of containers or pots, it’s recommended to prepare soil using a blend of materials such as cocopeat, vermicompost, and cow dung manure. While most plants thrive in potting mix, some may require specific soil types, necessitating adjustments in soil composition based on the plant variety being cultivated.
Soil harbors various microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae, and nematodes, some of which play pivotal roles in enhancing soil fertility and productivity. These microorganisms fix atmospheric nitrogen, convert insoluble phosphorus into a soluble form for plant uptake, and aid in maintaining an optimal level of organic matter in the soil by decomposing crop residues. When the active soil lacks a sufficient population of these microorganisms, they can be introduced artificially, a practice known as bio-fertilization.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Apply Online
To apply for financial assistance under the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme, eligible applicants should visit the Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing Portal, where online registration for the scheme is now available. Interested individuals can complete the online application form to access the financial support offered by the scheme.
Here is the step-by-step application process through which the application process of Uttrakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme can be completed efficiently.
- Visit the official website of the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme.
- Click on the “Online Registration” Tab. After that look for the “Rooftop Gardening Scheme” and click on that.
- After that, an application form regarding the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme Registration will be displayed on the screen.
- Carefully fill in all the required information asked in the form.
- The applicant needs to upload documents such as an Aadhar card, proof of residence in the municipality (e.g., electricity and water bills, bank passbook shadow copy), and a photo of the empty roof of the applicant’s house. Also, you have to provide your bank account information.
- Upload the required documents within their permissible limit (3MB)
- After that click on the “Register” button given at the end of the form.
Eligible applicants can apply for financial assistance by completing the online application form for the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme. The online application form is accessible through the Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing Portal. To initiate the application process, applicants must first register themselves on the portal.
During the registration, the following details must be provided:
- Personal information of the applicant.
- Bank account details of the applicant.
Additionally, the following documents must be uploaded at the time of application:
- Aadhar Card.
- Proof of residence.
- Electricity bill.
- Water bill.
- Copy of the bank passbook.
- Photograph of the empty terrace.
Once all necessary information and documents are provided, applicants should click the “Submit” button to complete the initial registration.
After registration, applicants can log in to the portal to access and complete the application form for the Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme. They should fill in the required details and submit the form.
Upon successful submission, selected applicants will receive information regarding the training procedure. Applicants must attend the one-day training camp for rooftop gardening to participate in the scheme.
Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme FAQs
What is the Rooftop Gardening Scheme in Uttarakhand?
The Uttarakhand Rooftop Gardening Scheme stands as the flagship initiative of the Uttarakhand Government, having been inaugurated on January 15, 2023. Under this program, the Government of Uttarakhand offers financial support amounting to Rs. 25,000 for rooftop and terrace gardening projects.
How much financial assistance will be provided to the beneficiary of the scheme?
The government of Uttarakhand offers financial support of Rs. 25,000 for rooftop and terrace gardening projects.
How much percentage of subsidy will be provided under this scheme?
A total of 50% Subsidy will be provided under this scheme.
What is Rooftop Gardening?
Rooftop gardening involves cultivating vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, chilies, capsicums, cabbage, and more in pots on rooftops, which is cost-effective.
What is the duration of the training period under this scheme?
A total duration of 1 day will be spent in the training period under this scheme.
Can I apply for this scheme through online mode?
Yes, you can apply it from the comfort of your home. You just need to visit the Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing Portal, where online registration for the scheme is now available.
