LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Government’s Rooftop Gardening Scheme is an urban horticulture initiative aimed at encouraging people living in cities to use unused rooftop space for growing fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices and medicinal plants. The scheme seeks to bring small-scale food production closer to households while increasing greenery in urban areas.The initiative was initially planned as a pilot in major cities including Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, with technical support from the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi. The programme has subsequently been taken up in other urban areas as well.Financial assistance and gardening kitsUnder the current 2026–27 implementation being reported in Uttar Pradesh, eligible urban residents can receive a rooftop gardening kit valued at up to Rs10,000. The kit is intended to provide the basic inputs required to establish a rooftop garden, including items such as grow bags, seeds, cocopeat, plant-growing material and gardening equipment.For example, in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the Horticulture Department announced distribution of 400 free rooftop gardening kits in 2026–27. Applicants were required to have at least 100 square feet of rooftop space, with allotment on a first-come, first-served basis.Who can benefit?The scheme is primarily designed for urban residents with suitable rooftop space. The exact number of beneficiaries, selection procedure and kit components can vary according to the district-level implementation and annual targets announced by the Horticulture Department.Applicants generally need to demonstrate availability of suitable rooftop space and comply with the requirements prescribed by the district horticulture authorities. In districts where applications are invited online, applicants may be required to submit details and photographs of the proposed rooftop garden.What can be grown?The scheme encourages households to cultivate seasonal vegetables and other useful plants. Depending on local conditions and the size of the rooftop, residents can grow crops such as tomatoes, chilli, brinjal, okra, leafy vegetables and herbs, besides medicinal and aromatic plants.Rooftop gardening can also make productive use of otherwise unused urban space. The UP Government’s MSME portal describes rooftop farming as a way of growing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers through methods including container gardening and other modern systems.Objectives of the schemeThe main objectives are to:
- Promote urban greenery and environmental sustainability.
- Encourage households to produce some of their own vegetables.
- Increase access to fresh and chemical-free/low-chemical produce through household gardening.
- Make productive use of unused rooftop space.
- Create awareness about urban horticulture and healthy food habits.
- Provide citizens with practical knowledge and training in vegetable cultivation.
- Encourage modern and space-efficient gardening practices in cities.
Training and technical supportThe scheme is not limited to distribution of gardening material. The government has also envisaged training and technical guidance so that beneficiaries can learn how to prepare containers or grow bags, select suitable crops, manage irrigation, use organic inputs and maintain plants on rooftops. The earlier pilot proposal specifically envisaged technical support from IIVR, Varanasi.How the scheme benefits urban householdsRooftop gardening can provide households with a small but useful source of fresh vegetables while turning vacant terraces into productive green spaces. At the city level, widespread rooftop gardens can contribute to increasing vegetation and making built-up areas greener. The practice can also encourage families, including children, to develop an understanding of plants, nutrition and sustainable food production.The initiative is therefore part of a broader effort to take horticulture beyond conventional farmland and introduce small-scale, technology-supported cultivation into urban households.How to applyApplications are generally invited through the Uttar Pradesh Horticulture Department/district horticulture authorities when targets are opened for a particular city or district. Since the number of kits and eligibility conditions can differ by district and financial year, applicants should check the latest notification issued by their District Horticulture Officer before applying.In nutshellThe Rooftop Gardening Scheme seeks to convert unused urban rooftops into small green production spaces by providing eligible residents with gardening kits, technical guidance and institutional support. It combines urban greening with household-level vegetable cultivation and promotes a more sustainable approach to food production in Uttar Pradesh’s growing cities.
