Bangalore Microgreens: Boosting Food Resilience and Cutting GHGs with Urban Hydroponics

Introduction:

Bangalore Microgreens is an innovative project that leverages the water-conserving technique of hydroponic farming in urban settings to enhance food security. By creating a network of Rooftop Hydroponic Community Gardens throughout the city, we are transforming rooftops into thriving green spaces that provide fresh, nutritious produce year-round while enhancing the city's aesthetic appeal.

Purpose:

Our initiative offers a steady supply of fresh, locally grown, pesticide-free vegetables. By reducing dependence on long-distance transport, we significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. Situated in urban locales, our gardens foster community engagement, bringing people together to cultivate these spaces, encouraging social interaction, and nurturing environmental awareness. Additionally, we support community members interested in creating their own rooftop gardens by providing guidance and resources.

Fund Utilization:

Thanks to the $500 we raised, we've been able to:

• Expand our crop selection to include cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins, alongside tomatoes, chilies, and peppers.
• Quadruple our growing area from 10 to 40 square feet.
• Develop a DIY guide that empowers anyone to set up their own hydroponic system and grow vegetables.
• Measure and document the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our activities

Last year's work

Our project has been operational for 8 months, during which we've designed cost-effective DIY Hydroponic Kits. Our latest blog post offers a detailed guide on how these systems work. To date, we have harvested 115 kg of produce, with an estimated reduction of 240 kg of CO2 emissions—demonstrating that hydroponic farming can cut emissions by 40% compared to conventional methods.

GHG Reduction Strategies

Our approach not only addresses climate change by lowering GHG emissions but also promotes sustainable urban development and resilience. By reducing the need for long-distance vegetable transport and cutting down on chemical fertilizer use, we decrease emissions linked to logistics. Our rooftop farms turn underutilized spaces into productive green areas, offering community members valuable knowledge on establishing their own sustainable gardens.

Together, we are building a greener, more resilient world, one rooftop at a time.