The State Government has introduced Urban Horticulture Development Scheme of developing rooftop gardens in Salem district this year.
The State Government has sanctioned 2,000 units to Salem city alone, K. Ganesan, Assistant Director of Horticulture, told the farmers at the farmers grievances day meeting held in the city on Friday.
Initiative
To boost this initiative, the government has launched the ‘Do it yourself’ programme to encourage city residents to grow their own vegetables. This scheme comes with a kit that includes vegetable seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, gardening tools and a book on how to cultivate plants.
Mr. Ganesan said that the department passed on the information about this scheme in Salem city and called upon the people interested in creating terrace gardens, to register their names with the department.
Only 100 persons have registered their names so far, he said and urged the people with adequate space on the terrace to take advantage of this scheme. They can register their names at the horticulture department office in the city, he said.