Urban Rooftop Farming in Bangalore: A Condensed Analysis of Sustainability and Economic Viability

This research examines the emerging sector of urban rooftop farming in Bangalore, India, focusing on sustainability practices and economic viability. Through analysis of data from five established rooftop gardening firms—My Dream Garden, Squarefoot Farmers, GreenMyLife, Urban Mali, and Gardening Wizards—this study provides insights into the current state, challenges, and future prospects of urban agriculture in one of India's fastestgrowing metropolitan areas. The research reveals significant potential for environmental sustainability and urban food security, alongside substantial economic and operational challenges impeding widespread adoption. Awareness and interest among practitioners are high, with motivations ranging from environmental sustainability to food security and economic opportunity. Sustainability approaches vary considerably, with rainwater harvesting, organic farming, and hydroponics emerging as the most common methods. Economic analysis indicates revenue disparities (₹1,000-₹10,000+ monthly), with profitability influenced by scale, crop selection, and market access. Firms utilizing specialty crops, modern farming techniques, and diverse distribution channels demonstrate higher revenue potential. However, high initial setup costs are universally identified as the primary barrier to entry and expansion. For mainstream adoption and economic viability, stakeholders recommend increased government support through subsidies and incentives, expanded training programs, improved access to farming supplies, and community-based collaborative initiatives. While rooftop farming represents a promising approach to urban sustainability in Bangalore, its transition from niche practice to mainstream solution requires coordinated interventions across policy, technical, and economic domains.