This Hyderabad-based couple’s rooftop garden is redefining urban farming techniques

The popularity of organic farming has now extended to urban areas too. Many people have started farming in small spaces surrounding their homes or on rooftops. Padma and Srinivasm Pinnaka, residents of Deepti Srinagar Colony in Madinaguda, Hyderabad have a thriving rooftop garden and have grown over 600 plants in five years.

Speaking to Hans India, Padma said,

"We grow 22 varieties of fruit, 18 varieties of vegetables and many kinds of flowers. We have managed to plant over 500 pots, in which we grow fruits and vegetables. Our garden is spread across 850 square feet. Despite less space in our yard, my husband and I have managed to transform our passion for plants into an agricultural wonder and have inspired everyone in our neighbourhood and many urban farming lovers. Urban farming lovers across the city visit our garden to witness the agri-wonder.”

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Padma looks after the 500 pots, which she waters thrice a day and her husband Srinivasm takes care of keeping away insects and monkeys. For farming the couple has a 150-litre drum to store water. They also use only organic manure.

The garden has plants that are 15 to 30 years old, and for her efforts, the state government conferred Padma with the Best Terrace Horticulturist award in 2018.

What may come as a surprise is the fact that the couple spends very little on the garden, with recycling a huge part of their efforts. Instead of using a can, Padma uses a spray bottle to water the plants, thereby conserving water.

Speaking with Telangana Today, Padma said,

“Even for the Bonsai tree, I didn’t spend a penny. I acquired knowledge of gardening by attending classes at Nampally Public Gardens in 2004. Though I’m not a tech-savvy person, I familiarised myself through searching on Google. Even books related to farming helped me a lot in gaining knowledge about organic gardening.”

Most of the time, Padma uses kitchen waste for her garden, like egg peels and cooking oil to keep away insects. If you are interested to know more about her innovate methods of farming, you can visit her YouTube channel, ‘Patnam Lo Palleturu by Pinnaka Padma’.

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