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After break-down of Soviet Union, Cuba, its alley, went through energy crisis. Cheap fossil fuel supply it received from Soviet Union in exchange of sugarcane, suddenly stopped. Acute energy crisis led to food crisis. Scarcity of fuel made it difficult for farm produce to be sent to the cities. Per person calories intake compared to 1980, dropped to half by 1993. Nation was ravaged with hunger, angry demonstrations. What is the situation today? Per person calories intake is back. Overall health of the population has improved. Obesity is down. How? High literacy rate, necessity to find solution due to crisis, led Cuba to explore some uncharted territory. Since it was not possible to transport food from farms to urban areas, it became imperative that urban areas grow their own food. Thus, began the concept of urban farming. Supply of cheap chemical fertilizers from Soviet Union dried up. Thus, organic farming was the obvious option. Do read this very encouraging and thought-provoking case-study on Cuba Organoponics. https://www.rapidtransition.org/stories/the-post-cold-war-cuban-food-experiment/ “Grow your own food” movement is on the rise in various cities in India. Being a tropical country, we have following advantages,

1. Abundant sunlight, a necessary factor for gardening. And it is FREE 😊
2. Leaf-fall of 4-6 months produces large organic matter to be utilized in garden. Again FREE.
3. Rise in awareness about A2 milk is encouraging many establishments on city periphery, enabling supply of cow dung, cow urine, and products like Jeevamrut to build soil health

It will not be long, when a satellite view of our cities, will show green rooftops all along.

Do go through blogs about these wonderful, determined individuals who have converted their terraces, empty plots, school terrace, area around their house, in the society, into beautiful urban gardens. How to create Garden series,