But the Shrestha couple that maintains a rooftop farm produces enough vegetables to keep them financially independent.
They are an example that age is no barrier to courage and confidence. In 2012, the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) awarded them for their role in managing household waste and conserving environment.
The couple started rooftop farming three years ago. They haven´t bought vegetables and fruits from market since then. Their roof-top garden provides them enough vegetables and fruits.
“From different perspectives, like health, economic and environment, the rooftop farming is good,” says Shrestha. “Different kinds of vegetables and fruits can be grown on the rooftop.”
Vegetables like lady´s-finger, pumpkin, chilly, brinjal, tomato, bean, garlic and onion can be found in their roof-top garden. Likewise, various kinds of fruits like pear, mango, orange, grapes, guava, pomegranate and lemon are grown on their rooftop garden. They have beautifully utilized their roof-top garden by building two feet of parallel bricks bar which has been erected at the edge of the roof.
According to them, water crisis is the major obstacles for their roof-top garden, which not only spoils their vegetation but creates difficulty in their daily life. “Now, we should start harvesting rainwater for such gardens,” says Shrestha.
“This garden not only provides us hygienic vegetables but also helps us deal with the loneliness,” shares Shrestha. “We are in our eighties but still we are physically fit and active because of the fresh vegetables and fruits.”
Though they sired five children, they have been living alone in their house. Their three sons live abroad and two married daughters are busy with their own lives. Resident of Koteshwar, this couple spends half of their day in their rooftop garden.
“We do not waste our time watching television and listening to radio. We prefer to work in the garden,” shares Shrestha. “The garden protects us from depression.”
The chronic problems of garbage disposal in the Kathmandu Valley have led many families to start rooftop farming. Many families have been practicing such farming the rooftop farming as it helps them to minimize the burden of managing degradable wastes produced at their homes. And after observing the increment in public interest about rooftop farming, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has also decided to promote rooftop farming by providing basic trainings.
Some people are using flower pots, while others have constructed two to three feet tall wall around their roof where they can plant various kinds of vegetables and fruits.
Pawan Aalok, 60, and his wife Rekha Kandel, 60, is another couple who has got rooftop garden in their house. They have been doing it for the last eight years and now they have turned their small rooftop into a small kitchen garden where they have grown different kinds of fruits and vegetables.
“All credit goes to my wife because I could not give sufficient time to the garden because of my work,” says Aalok. “She spends most of her time caring for the plants,” adds Aalok.
Except vegetables like potatoes, onions and ginger, they do not have to buy other vegetables from the market, which has reduced the extra cost and ensured that they always have fresh vegetables and fruits to eat. The couple makes manure out of decaying wastes produced by their kitchen garden.
“We also prepare manure from the wastes produced at our home,” shares Aalok. “Flower pots are enough to grow plants and we do not even need big space,” adds Aalok.
Similarly, Lok Darshan Shrestha, 56, and Indira Shrestha, 47, is another couple who are engaged in rooftop gardening. The couple has been growing various kinds of vegetables for their family.
“Firstly, our aim was not to start a rooftop garden but to manage the waste coming out of our house,” says Indira. “So, we learnt about manure production technique and started this garden,” adds Indira.
Pumpkin, radish, ginger, chilly, brinjal, tomato, bean, garlic and onion are available in their garden. Along with the vegetables, they have a beautiful flower garden as well.
“These vegetables are sufficient for us,” says Indira. “Sometimes we send vegetables to our relatives and neighbors as well.”
The couple has also received award from the MoLD for managing household refuses and environment conservation in 2012.
According to KMC, it will provide 50 percent discount on trash bins that cost Rs 2,000 per bin, for the residents who commit to start rooftop farming. “We provide the discount on the bins to encourage people,” says Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of Environment Management Division at KMC.
Interview
Sanu Maiya Maharjan, 40, who works as a secretary of Ward-15 (Swayambhu area) of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, grows vegetables on her rooftop. She also earns money by selling the vegetables. As she set an example of rooftop farming, KMC has recently appointed her as the coordinator for training people on rooftop farming.
Republica chatted with her to know what it takes to grow vegetables on the rooftop.
How difficult is it to maintain a rooftop garden?
It is not that difficult. But yes, in the initial stage people need to be very careful about caring for the plants. Most people are unaware about the nature of plants and what kind of environment is suitable for them.
What kind of education do you provide in the training?
We basically focus on composting manure from household waste and harvest rainwater for kitchen garden.
How many people have taken the first training on rooftop farming?
To date, 100 people have participated in the training and they all are from the Shova Bhagwati town planning.
Who can take part in the training?
First of all, interested people must submit their names at the KMC office. Then we ask our engineers to check if their homes are suitable for roof-top farming.
When will your next training start?
Because of some technical problems we have not been able to start it soon. Also, the hall where we had conducted our first training is reserved for some days.
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