Dubai Municipality last year launched a unique initiative to create awareness among the residents on green living. This initiative was launched on the World Food Day in October under the theme ?Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth? has now come to a close. The core message of the campaign was to develop a culture of freshness and healthy living in a sustainable way among residents by converting spaces in their homes in to garden. The participants then sent pictures through the campaign?s Facebook page.

The residents grew vegetables, fruits and herbs on the balcony, rooftop, courtyard or even a small space down the parking lot. They tried their best to grow herbs, fruits and vegetables in a sustainable way by effective irrigation practices to save water, proper use of fertilizer, with minimal use of pesticides, boost the concept of having organic farms and so on.

Over 100 families and over 4,000 school children made their own vegetable gardens on their premises. The contest was run for different categories such as villas, apartments, labour accommodations, inter-school and intra-school. Children were given the seeds of seasonal vegetables by the organizers. However, other contestants were allowed to choose the vegetables for farming.

A panel of judges from the municipality, sponsoring companies, the Ministry of Education and agricultural industry visited the sites and selected the winners. Winners will be honored during the National Day celebrations with a certificate and cash prize/coupon worth between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000 that comes to a sum of Dhs 150,000. The campaign was a great success as various innovative ideas like tissue papers for initial sowing of seeds, channelizing the water dripping from air conditioners to the garden and making use of leftover food as fertilizer were some of the ideas adopted by the home farmers.

I am also trying my best to grow as many plants at my home as possible and am spreading awareness in my community.I think campaigns like these and rewarding the winners, helps to spread the message and motivate others also to follow eco-friendly practices.