EEI, Hyderabad organized Online Collaborative training programme with MANAGE on ‘Innovations in Urban Farming’ on 18 th – 22 nd October 2022

Urban farming according to FAO is defined as small areas within cities for growing crops and raising small livestock or milk cows for own consumption or sale in neighbourhood markets and can provide a source of food and income for urban dwellers. It is a centralized operation involving horticulture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and other practices for producing fresh food or other agricultural products. There are many different approaches to urban agriculture, including ground-level farming, rooftop farming, hydroponics, greenhouses and other new technologies. Urban agriculture has the potential to produce food for local consumption, especially perishables and high-value horticultural crops. Also, there is increasing interest in commercial-scale cultivation of nonfood crops in urban areas, such as flowers, green walls, and the like. Urban Agriculture (UPA) provides food products from different types of crops (root crops, grains, mushrooms, vegetables, and fruits), animals (rabbits, goats, poultry, cattle, pigs, guinea pigs, sheep, fish, etc.) as well as non food products (e.g., medicinal herbs, tree products, aromatic, and ornamental plants). It includes trees managed for producing fuel wood and fruits, as well as tree systems integrated and managed with crops (agroforestry) and aquaculture. It can make an important contribution to household food security, especially in times of crisis or shortages of food or natural calamities. Keeping in view of importance of new initiatives in Urban farming for Extension professionals and to disseminate innovations and experiences of practitioners of Urban farming, Extension Education Institute, Hyderabad organized 5 days On campus Training programme on Innovations in Urban farming for Extension professionals from 18th – 22nd October 2022 with the objectives of imparting knowledge on innovations accomplished in Urban farming, making participants understand thoroughly about Urban farming practices and inculcate skills in Bonsai cultivation. 55 officers belonging to different Indian states took part in the programme. Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi and Dr. R. Vasantha, Professors, EEI and Dr. Veenithakumari, Deputy director, MANAGE coordinated the programme. Contents of the training: Need, Importance and Current Trends in Urban Farming, Innovations in Flower Preservation, My Journey from own Production to Marketing of Urban Farming Produce, Technique of Commercial Nursery Raising, Smart Terrace Garden Techniques: Vertical Farming and Hydroponics, Poultry, Quail and Rabbit Rearing for Urban Areas, Planning for a Terrace Garden: Myths and Realities, Recent Trends and Innovations in Urban Farming and Irrigation Techniques, Impact of Urban Farming on Food and Nutritional Security, Urban Fish Farming for Consumption and Ornamental Purpose, Apiculture for Urban Areas, Business Opportunities in Terrace Garden, Bonsai Training Techniques, Urban Farming: Health Benefits, Entrepreneurship through Value Addition in Fruits and Flowers, Soil Less Cultivation on Terraces, Organic ways and means of pest and non pest management in Urban gardens and edible Mushrooms in improving Human Health, hands on experience on Picvoice app for producing and sending text+voice+ audio+ video messages and hands on training on uploading any content to blog was demonstrated.
Feedback of participants:
Dr. T. L. Preethi, Tamilnadu, Hemanth Prasad Dalei, Odisha, Nelavanka, Telangana and Arulselvi, Erode during the valedictory expressed that they are motivated by the training to start terrace garden. Haneesha, AO, Tamilnadu indicated that inspired by the session on first day she already started terrace garden by cultivating microgreens Sri Kannan, Erode said that from the guidance of the training he is ready to start balcony garden in his home and simultaneously motivate fellow neighbours also to take up balcony and terrace gardens.
Programme visibility:
1. Many participants produced and disseminated 36 messages using Picvoice app.
2. Several trainees uploaded their feeed back in EEI, Hyderabad blog.
Speaking on the valedictory Dr. M. Preethi, representative of Director, EEI said that Urban farming is more than just a way to bond with neighbors and preserve green spaces. It increases access to healthy, affordable, fresh produce and provides communities with opportunities to learn about nutrition and growing food. She requested trainees to apply the learnings of this training back home by motivating urban and periurban dwellers to start producing their own food to the extent possible. Dr. R. Vasantha proposed formal vote of thanks.