Bhubaneswar: From rooftops and balconies to small patches of land, Bhubaneswar’s growing community of urban farmers came together Sunday to mark World Kitchen Garden Day, making a strong pitch for chemical-free food, nutritional security and sustainable urban living.
Organised by the Kitchen Gardener’s Association (KGA), the event brought together rooftop gardeners, natural farming advocates, experts and enthusiasts to highlight how small urban spaces can provide fresh, safe and nutritious food.
CYSD mentor and former State Information Commissioner Jagadananda attended as chief guest, while former Odisha Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo and Er BC Jena were guests of honour.
KGA Chairperson Prashant Dhal chaired the session, moderated by NCNF Odisha state convener Ekadashi Nandi. Managing Trustee Maheswar Khillar presented the association’s annual report.
Padma Shri awardee Sabarmatee also joined the celebration, giving the gathering a simple yet powerful message: “We will eat good and feed good.”
Speakers stressed the importance of growing food at home, reducing reliance on chemically grown produce and making mindful choices about what people consume.
Kitchen and rooftop gardens, they said, can provide families with fresh, nutritious vegetables while promoting healthier lifestyles and sustainable practices.
A large number of city farmers and rooftop gardening practitioners shared their experiences during the programme, discussing innovations and practical methods for producing food in limited urban spaces.
The discussions also focused on the wider role of agroecology in tackling environmental challenges.
Speakers noted that small individual efforts towards natural and sustainable farming practices could collectively help reduce environmental damage, protect biodiversity and contribute to the fi ght against climate change.
Participants expressed concern over the impact of excessive agrochemical use on human health, soil, water and ecosystems, stressing the need to revive kitchen gardening, natural farming and indigenous food practices.
Greater participation of young people in building a sustainable food and farming movement was also emphasised.
Volunteers and practitioners working to promote rooftop gardening were felicitated with the Parshuram Dhal Birth Centenary Memorial Award in recognition of their contribution to urban gardening.
The occasion also saw the release of “Amruta Batika”, a bulletin on natural farming, along with an Odia book documenting indigenous knowledge and traditional practices.
Two technical sessions — “Nutritional Security through Kitchen Gardening” and “Indigenous Practices in Kitchen Gardening” — featured practitioners sharing their experiences, innovations and practical approaches to growing food in urban environments.
Exhibition stalls showcasing natural farming products, indigenous seeds, kitchen gardening techniques, traditional knowledge and other sustainable initiatives added to the event.
The celebration reflected Bhubaneswar’s growing movement to turn homes, rooftops and unused urban spaces into productive green corners, promoting home-grown food, healthier communities and more sustainable living.