Urban Farm DB
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RooftopActiveSince 2011

Oota From Your Thota / Garden City Farmers

Bengaluru, India · Operator: Garden City Farmers Trust

Overview

A Bengaluru organic terrace-gardening movement begun in 2011 that runs recurring events to spread rooftop food growing among urban dwellers. It brings seeds, saplings, compost, tools and know-how together in one place with demonstrations and consultations.

Citizen participation

Residents take part in the quarterly two-day 'Oota From Your Thota' events to obtain saplings, seeds, compost supplies and tools, and to get hands-on demonstrations and consultations on organic terrace gardening. They join a city-wide community of citizens growing food on their own rooftops and balconies.

Operating model

Run by the non-profit Garden City Farmers Trust as a citizen movement, supported by exhibitor stalls and product sales at events, paid workshops, donations and volunteers.

Impact

Became a pioneering driver of home and organic terrace gardening in India, drawing thousands of participants. It encourages household vegetable self-sufficiency and kitchen-waste composting, supporting urban biodiversity and reduced carbon footprints.

Land tenure

License / permit

Growing happens on participants' own rooftops and terraces; event venues are used under per-venue permissions.

Crops

  • vegetables
  • herbs
  • fruits
  • saplings

Scale

City-wide movement; quarterly two-day events claimed to be India's biggest organic gardening event, with editions across Bengaluru (Electronics City, Malleswaram, Whitefield).

Sources(3)

Related cases

Oota From Your Thota / Garden City Farmers — Urban Farm DB