Surat (Gujarat) : The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in association with the office of the Deputy Director of Horticulture, Surat, organized a ‘Kitchen Garden’ training session aimed at promoting sustainable and healthy living among the residents of Green City in Pal-Bhata, Surat. The training was tailored for housewives and residents of the Green City apartments.
Deputy Director of Horticulture, D.K. Padalia, highlighted the importance of the initiative by shedding light on the prevalent use of chemical fertilizers in commercially available vegetables and fruits. He explained that this practice often results in produce with insufficient vitamins, leaving consumers with an incomplete and less nutritious diet.
To address this issue, the ‘Kitchen Garden’ training encouraged urban residents to take a proactive approach to their health by engaging in natural farming within their living spaces, such as courtyards, balconies, and rooftops. This allows them to grow their own fruits and vegetables, ensuring access to a more vitamin-rich and fiber-filled diet.
The event featured insights from Scientist Bhakti Panchal of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, who elaborated on various approaches to gardening. She emphasized the versatility of gardening methods, including vertical gardening, row gardening, hanging gardens, container gardening, and hydroponics.
These techniques enable urbanites to cultivate a wide variety of fruits and vegetables within their living environments, be it in open land, on rooftops, or balconies. Residents can make use of pots, grow bags, wooden boxes, and permanent pots to grow their crops. Panchal interacted with the attendees, particularly the housewives, answering their queries and sharing valuable insights about kitchen gardening.
The program witnessed the presence of more than 70 housewives and residents from Green City Apartments, who actively participated in the training. The Chairmen of the Chamber of Commerce group, Dharmesh Vaniyawala and Kamlesh Gajera, played pivotal roles in making this initiative possible. K.B. Piplia, Chairman of the Chamber’s Agriculture Committee, provided an outline of the program, setting the stage for a productive and informative session.
The ‘Kitchen Garden’ training event served as a commendable effort to empower urban residents with the knowledge and skills required to cultivate their own fresh produce. By promoting natural farming practices, it not only encourages healthier eating habits but also fosters a sense of self-sufficiency and sustainability within the community. Such initiatives are crucial in the modern world, where people are increasingly looking for ways to make a positive impact on their health and the environment.
