An Awareness-cum-Training Programme on Rooftop and Home Gardening was organised Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Hall, Panthnivas, Sambalpur. The Winners of the first Sambalpur City Garden Competition were also awarded on the occasion.

The programme organised by the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar under the State Plan Innovative Project on Rooftop Gardening and Urban Horticulture in association with Sambalpur Jila Baristha Nagarika Samaj, Sambalpur Gardener Association and Abhinav Krishi, Sambalpur.

During the deliberations Dr. P. Srinivas, Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator of the State Plan Innovative Project elaborated on the crucial role of rooftop gardens in addressing the challenges of rapidly expanding “concrete forests” in urban areas by helping to moderate temperatures and improve the microclimate. He highlighted how rooftop cultivation reduces food miles by enabling households to grow fresh vegetables at home, thereby minimizing transportation-related carbon emissions. He also emphasized the importance of composting and waste recycling to decrease the burden on city dumps, explaining how kitchen waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost, ultimately contributing to the reduction of global warming. Dr. Srinivas further explained the scientific approach to rooftop and home gardening, including proper crop selection, nutrient management, integrated pest management practices, water-efficient techniques, and the safe use of structures for rooftop cultivation.

As part of the initiative to promote practical adoption of rooftop gardening, participants of the training program were provided with gardening kits that included grow bags, Arka Sasya Posak Ras, Arka Mealy Melt, Arka Decomposer, Arka Microbial Consortium, along with seeds and planting material of more than 12 varieties of ornamental, flowering, and medicinal plants. The distribution of these kits generated great enthusiasm among participants and encouraged them for immediate implementation of the techniques learned during the session. The winners of the first-ever Sambalpur City Garden Competition were felicitated today in a well-attended ceremony.

In the Residential Building Front Yard/Backyard Garden category, Dr. Pramila Prasad secured the First Prize in the Large Garden sub-category, while Jhasketan Badhei received the Second Prize. In the Small Garden sub-category, Rohit Kumar Thait was awarded the First Prize. In the Rooftop Garden category on Residential Buildings, Nibedita Ghosh won the First Prize in the Large Rooftop Garden segment and Vinod Kumar Tibrewal secured the Second Prize. In the Small Rooftop Garden segment, Bandita Pujari received the First Prize and Girija Shankar Pradhan was awarded the Second Prize. The winners shared their valuable experiences during the programme, explaining how rooftop and home gardening have not only beautified their surroundings but also improved their lifestyle, health, and mental well-being.

Importantly, all participants who had taken part in the competition but did not receive awards were also felicitated and appreciated for their commendable efforts, ensuring that the spirit of encouragement and collective participation remained strong. The garden competition, which received more than 50 entries in its very first year, had witnessed overwhelming participation particularly in the categories of Residential Building Front Yard/Backyard Gardens and Rooftop Gardens on Residential Buildings, reflecting the growing awareness and enthusiasm for urban horticulture among the citizens of Sambalpur.

During her address, DDH In-charge, Sambalpur Dr Priyanka Priyadarshini assured the participants that such regular awareness and training programs on urban horticulture and Garden Competitions will be conducted every year henceforth under the guidance of the Central Horticultural Experiment Station on an even larger scale to promote sustainable urban horticulture in Sambalpur.

President, Abhinavkrishi, Sri Kaibalya Pradhan, President, Sambalpur Zilla Barishtha Nagarika Samaj Sri Pradipta Kumar Panda and Coordinator, Sambalpur Gardener Association, Sri Debraj Beriha, also addressed the gardening and assured the participants that the next Garden Competition would be drastically inprovised. The programme witnessed enthusiastic engagement from gardeners, senior citizens, families, and aspiring urban growers, many of whom expressed their willingness to participate in future editions of the competition. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Sri Jatabandhu Sahu, Abhinavakrishi. The program concluded with a strong commitment from all stakeholders to work collectively towards transforming Sambalpur into a greener, healthier, and environmentally responsible city.