What is Rooftop Farming?

Rooftop Farming is man made green spaces on the topmost levels of industrial, commercial, and residential structures. They may be planning to grow produce,provide play space,give shed and shelter,or simply be there as a living,green area.

What are the plants and crops are farming in rooftop?

Crops are include dragon fruit, spinach, water melon, lemon, guava and many other vegetables that are grown throughout the year.

Why is rooftop farming great for health?

• Rooftop Farming allows for a completely organic form of farming. This means it often has no pesticides or insecticides that would normally be found in trace amounts in traditionally farmed produce. Vegetable and fruit picked at just the right time and delivered “fresh” with reduced transport distance & times.

• Rooftop gardens contribute to the reduction and filtering of polluted air particles and gases, not only through the plants and the photosynthesis process but also by deposition in the growing space.

Why rooftop farming is important?

• Rooftop farming can provide solution to increased food demand and also can promote a sustainable and livable city. Results show that rooftop farming can support environment by improving air quality, reducing carbon in the atmosphere and can benefit society by reducing storm water management cost.
• Generate income and can provide some local employment for the poor.
• Utilizing otherwise unused roofs to make and income.
• Engaging in low time consuming work that can be shared with other job.
• Reducing heat on residents living on the top floor of buildings,which helps them electricity by means of fan or AC less.

The conditions required for rooftop farming:

Rooftop gardens are possible to be exposed to more intense sunlight than those at ground level.Such light is less likely to be filtered by trees or other covering, potentially generating heat levels that can be dangerous to increasing plants.If this prove to be the case,it may be wise to invest in a thin cloth or netting to present some protection to your crops. The surface of the rooftop also becomes especially important as dark materials will absorb most sunlight and create a very hot,arid environment.Rooftop farming is generally done using the green roof,Hydroponics, Aeroponics or Air dynaponics systems or Container gardens.

What are the challenges of rooftop farming?

Still, there are some major barriers preventing more widespread rooftop farming, namely just finding enough low-cost, structual sound roofs to plant; obstructive municipal zoning; and issues with “managing fertility.” There are also challenges with fertilizer runoff and economic profitability.

Md.Shohanur Rahman

student of Agriculture at Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University.