The state horticulture department is asking people in the city to join hands with it in the 'Urban Vegetable Farming' initiative to promote cultivation of vegetables and fruits on balconies and terraces of houses.

With agricultural land being used for non-agriculture purposes, especially real estate development, the supply of vegetables and fruits from surrounding districts such as Ranga Reddy, Medak, Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda has dwindled over the years. Currently, just about 30-35% of the total vegetable and fruit demand of the city is being met from surrounding areas.

Officials say the new scheme will serve several purposes. One, is that growing vegetables on the rooftop, balcony or backyard garden will help meet the demand in the city with the additional advantage of people getting organic vegetables at a much lesser cost than in the market.

The other benefits include fresh vegetables at home all year round as well as greener balconies and terraces giving people an opportunity to get closer to nature.