Project Background:

Rapid urbanization and creating enormous stress on basic urban services and local food security. The situation is more critical in Kathmandu Valley, one of the fastest urbanizing cities in Asia. Roof Top Farming (RTF) offer an alternative growing space to provide fresh vegetable products for city dwellers along with reuse opportunity of organic waste in productive way. In the latest year, RTF is getting popular among the city dwellers. COVID pandemic lockdown is pushing city dwellers to grow their own fruit and vegetables in their homes. However, they lack technical knowhow and effective and innovative techniques to enhance the rooftop farming practice.

Local municipalities are also coming in front promoting urban agriculture including Roof Top Farming. Madhyapur Thimi, one of the municipalities within Kathmandu valley, is very much committed to this endeavor. The municipality is producing manure for organic farming from last few years adopting Japanese technology Risiki. This municipality is also popular for vegetable farming from the past, while the newly built-up areas in ward no 1-3 are also seeking alternative ways of farming where the municipality would like to support. Therefore, Green Rooftop Farming- The Water for Life Project is implemented at Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in partnership between UN-Habitat, environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) and Madhyapur Thimi Municipality (MTM).

Objective of the Project:

The broader aim of the pilot project is to "Promote innovative ways of urban agriculture through capacity building of city dwellers to support food security and to contribute in waste management thereby conserve water and reduce the impact of climate change". The Water for Life Project is based on donation and funding from Japanese grassroots groups and individuals and aims to collaborate with sustainable technology and know-how from Japan where relevant to the context and activities in Nepal.

The specific project objectives include: