Experts highlight importance of organic roof-top farming

Urban farming is a really important trend.

It not only provides fresh food locally but it is very helpful in eliminating greenhouse gases effects as well as it provides economic development opportunities and reduces disparities.

This was stated by the experts in one-day training workshop on "Organic Rooftop Farming".

The Edible Garden", in seminar room at Lahore College for Women University.

This workshop was arranged by Dr Arifa Tahir, Head of Environmental Science Department and Dr Attiqur Rehman, Associate Professor on Monday.

The experts also said that organic roof top farming will be helpful in providing healthy food as well as the organic food is good for diabetic patients as well as it reduces the obesity rate especially among low income groups.

Speaking on the occasion President of "Soul Survivor Society", Najeeb Ahmad Chughtai, introduced the participants of workshop with various techniques of organic farming.

He also gave demonstration on the use of discarded and useless items such as shoes, buckets, socks, pipes, bags, jackets, disposable bottles and glass for the cultivation of plants.

Attiq in his address focused on the selection of seeds on quality basis.

Dr Kusar Jamal Cheema, Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences appreciated the workshop activities and stress to adopt such organic practices for a healthy life.

Participants of the workshop found the activity quite fruitful and innovative regarding roof-top farming.

The Microbiology Research Group of Environmental Science Department also exhibited their products of organic fertilisers.

On this occasion, documentaries on Black River: Hudiara Drain and Unhygienic vegetables grown in Karachi being irrigated with waste water was shown to create awareness among the participants of workshop about the impacts of contaminated water on agriculture and human life.

The documentaries highlighted the current burning issue of accumulation of heavy metals in vegetables by using the highly contaminated and poisonous water for irrigation purpose in Lahore and Karachi.