AVG

Arka Vertical Garden

5.7/10

"Arka Vertical Garden" aims to promote vertical gardening in urban and peri-urban areas to increase self-sufficiency and produce pesticide-free vegetables. The scheme provides subsidized vertical garden structures to help families grow their choice of vegetables using vertical space.

State Cash

States / UT: Kerala

Nodal department: Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Department

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Agriculture,Rural & Environment

Sub-categories: Environmental management and protection, Land and water resources

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Garden, Environment, Plant, Irrigation, Subsidy

Details

The scheme "Arka Vertical Garden" by the State Horticulture Mission-Kerala aims to popularize user-friendly vertical garden structures designed and developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengalaru under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The scheme helps in attaining self-sufficiency in the production of safe-to-eat vegetables ensuring food and nutritional security for families. It is open to residents of Kerala State who can apply for a single unit of Arka Vertical Garden structure. The scheme is implemented by the State Horticulture Mission-Kerala.

Benefits

  • Total Cost of One Unit of Arka Vertical Garden: ₹22,100/-. Subsidy Amount per Unit: ₹15,525/-. Beneficiary Contribution: ₹6,575/- per unit. The beneficiaries are also provided with the following -
  • One unit of Arka Vertical Garden structure of one square meter area that can be installed
  • The structure includes 4 tiers with 16 pots, and 80 kilograms of enriched planting medium (coir pith)
  • Seeds of various crops like spinach, chilli, palak, amaranthus, brinjal, cluster beans, etc.
  • Plant nutrition and protection materials
  • Water storage facility with 25-litre capacity
  • Drip irrigation system
  • The structure has wheels attached, allowing it to be moved according to sunlight availability

Total Cost of One Unit of Arka Vertical Garden: ₹22,100/-.
Subsidy Amount per Unit: ₹15,525/-.
Beneficiary Contribution: ₹6,575/- per unit.
The beneficiaries are also provided with the following -

  • One unit of Arka Vertical Garden structure of one square meter area that can be installed.
  • The structure includes 4 tiers with 16 pots, and 80 kilograms of enriched planting medium (coir pith).
  • Seeds of various crops like spinach, chilli, palak, amaranthus, brinjal, cluster beans, etc..
  • Plant nutrition and protection materials.
  • Water storage facility with 25-litre capacity.
  • Drip irrigation system.
  • The structure has wheels attached, allowing it to be moved according to sunlight availability.

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be a resident of Kerala.
  • The applicant must not have availed Arka Vertical Garden structure during the previous year.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

5.7
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 7.0/10 Good
Rural usefulness 3.0/10 Challenging
Application complexity 4.5/10 Moderate
Financial impact 6.0/10 Moderate
Literacy barrier 5.0/10 Moderate
Women inclusivity 7.0/10 Good
Awareness 4.5/10 Moderate
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility7.0
  • Financial impact6.0
  • Rural utility3.0
  • Awareness4.5
  • Simplicity5.5
  • Inclusivity7.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Arka Vertical Garden scheme promotes sustainable urban gardening, enhancing food security for families in Kerala.

Key challenges addressed

  • Food and nutritional security
  • Limited space for gardening

Most beneficial for

  • Urban families
  • Individuals interested in gardening

Likely challenges

  • Digital literacy for online application
  • Initial financial contribution

Practical insights for citizens

Practical for urban areas, but may face challenges in rural settings

Rural challenges

  • Limited internet access
  • Financial contribution may be a barrier

Digital challenges

  • Need for digital literacy
  • Dependence on online platforms

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Selection process may delay benefit delivery

Awareness challenges

  • Limited outreach in rural areas

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Documents burden
Minimal, no specific documents required
Verification complexity
Moderate, requires presence during installation
Office dependency
Low, primarily online
DBT dependency
None
CSC support
Limited
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate effort for application and payment

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Inclusive
  • Target income group Low to middle-income families
  • Occupation reach Urban gardeners, homemakers

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Cash subsidy
Benefit frequency
One-time per unit
Benefit practicality
High, as it supports sustainable gardening
Financial meaningfulness
Significant, as it reduces gardening costs
Long-term impact
Positive, promotes self-sufficiency in food production

Plain-language guidance

The Arka Vertical Garden scheme helps families in Kerala grow vegetables in small spaces. It provides a subsidized vertical garden structure for urban gardening.

Who should apply
Residents of Kerala interested in gardening and growing their own vegetables.
Who may struggle
Individuals with low digital literacy or financial constraints.
Best application route
Apply via the official ServicePlus website.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online

Registration Process

Step 1: Visit the Official Website of ServicePlus. In the top right corner of the homepage, click "Register".
Step 2: In the Registration Form, the following fields are mandatory: Full Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, Password, State, and Captcha Code.
Step 3: Fill in all the mandatory fields. If required, verify your Email ID and Mobile Number via OTP.
Step 4: When creating the password, ensure the password meets security requirements.
Step 5: Agree to abide by the Terms of Use outlined by ServicePlus, then click "Submit".
NOTE 1: The password should be at least '9' characters with at least one special character (!@#$%^&*), one numeric, one small case and one upper case letter.
NOTE 2: Don't repeat the same character more than 2 times consecutively, and don't enter in alphabetical order.

Application Process

Step 1: Visit the Official Website of ServicePlus. In the top right corner of the homepage, click "Login".
Provide the Login ID & Password, agree to abide by the Terms of Use outlined by ServicePlus, then click on ‘Login’.
Step 2: After login, expand the left pane, click on ‘Apply for Services', then click "View all available services". A list of all the available services will be displayed. Filter the services by State/UT and/or by Name of the Scheme.
Step 3: Click on the scheme you intend to apply for. You will be taken to the online application form of the scheme. In the form, fill in all the mandatory fields, fill in the captcha code, and click "Submit" to submit the application.
*Remit the beneficiary contribution of ₹6,575/- per unit in advance along with the application through online mode

Post-Application Processes

Step 1: The State Horticulture Mission-Kerala will select beneficiaries based on the priority order of application submission. The selected beneficiaries will be notified.
Step 2: The beneficiary must be present at the installation site when the Arka Vertical Garden structure is delivered. Submit the duly filled application form with Aadhar Number at the time of installation. The structure will be installed and set up at the beneficiary's premises
*Applications will be prioritized based on their order of submission.
*The beneficiary must cooperate with periodic inspections conducted by the State Horticulture Mission.
*The structure must be used only for the purposes outlined in the project guidelines.
*Any misuse may result in the beneficiary having to refund the subsidy amount.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the purpose of the vertical garden structure designed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research?

The vertical garden structure helps in attaining self-sufficiency in the production of safe-to-eat vegetables, ensuring food and nutritional security for families. It allows growing vegetables using vertical space to meet daily requirements.

What are the main components included in the vertical garden structure provided under this scheme?

The structure includes a base frame of one square meter area, central support, holders for 16 pots at 4 different height levels, 80 kilograms of enriched planting medium (coir pith), seeds of various crops, plant nutrition materials, and a 25-liter water storage container with drip irrigation system.

How much area is required to install the vertical garden structure?

The vertical garden structure requires one square meter area for installation. It is designed to be compact and efficient, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal space.

What types of vegetables can be grown in the vertical garden structure?

Vegetables like chilli, brinjal, tomato, bush cluster beans and leafy vegetables like palak, amaranthus, and coriander can be cultivated in the vertical garden structure.

What is the total cost of one unit of the vertical garden structure?

The total cost of one unit of the vertical garden structure is ₹22,100/-.

How much subsidy is provided per unit of the vertical garden structure?

The subsidy amount provided per unit of the vertical garden structure is ₹15,525/-.

What amount needs to be paid by the beneficiary as their contribution?

The beneficiary needs to pay ₹6,575/- per unit as their contribution.

When should the beneficiary contribution be paid?

The beneficiary contribution of ₹6,575/- per unit should be paid in advance along with the application through online mode.

Which organization is implementing this scheme for promoting vertical gardening?

The scheme is being implemented by the State Horticulture Mission-Kerala under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

What is the capacity of the water storage container provided with the vertical garden structure?

The vertical garden structure comes with a plastic container of 25-liter capacity mounted at the top for water storage, equipped with drip laterals, micro tubes, and drippers to irrigate the plants.

Is there any feature that allows the vertical garden structure to be moved?

Yes, the vertical garden structure has wheels attached, which allows it to be moved according to sunlight availability.

What is the unique feature of this vertical garden structure in terms of growing medium?

The vertical garden structure uses a soilless medium (coir pith) for growing plants, which is an enriched planting medium provided with the structure.

How are beneficiaries selected for receiving the vertical garden structure?

Beneficiaries are selected on the basis of priority according to the submission of applications. Earlier submissions are given higher priority.

Can I use the vertical garden structure for purposes other than growing vegetables?

No, the vertical garden structure should not be used for purposes other than those envisaged in the project. Any misuse may result in having to refund the subsidy amount.

Is there any inspection process after receiving the vertical garden structure?

Yes, beneficiaries should cooperate with periodical inspections conducted by the State Horticulture Mission to ensure effective implementation of the project.

How many units of the vertical garden structure can one beneficiary receive?

One beneficiary is eligible for a single unit of the vertical garden structure.

How many pots are included with the vertical garden structure?

The vertical garden structure comes with 16 pots of different sizes and shapes fitted at 4 different height levels.

What seeds are provided along with the vertical garden structure?

Seeds of various crops like spinach, chilli, palak, amaranthus, brinjal, cluster beans, and other vegetables are provided with the structure.

References

Guidelines
https://shm.kerala.gov.in/arka-vertical-garden/

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Arka Vertical Garden?
Arka Vertical Garden is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Agriculture,Rural & Environment, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Arka Vertical Garden?
Eligibility for Arka Vertical Garden may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Arka Vertical Garden?
Benefits under Arka Vertical Garden may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Arka Vertical Garden?
Arka Vertical Garden is managed by Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Arka Vertical Garden?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Arka Vertical Garden through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Arka Vertical Garden?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Arka Vertical Garden?
Applications for Arka Vertical Garden may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Arka Vertical Garden?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for Arka Vertical Garden?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Arka Vertical Garden.
Is Arka Vertical Garden available in all states?
No, Arka Vertical Garden is primarily available for eligible residents of Kerala and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
Can residents outside Kerala apply for Arka Vertical Garden?
Eligibility for Arka Vertical Garden is generally limited to residents of Kerala unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
Can small and marginal farmers apply for Arka Vertical Garden?
Eligible small and marginal farmers may apply for Arka Vertical Garden subject to land ownership records, income eligibility, and agricultural beneficiary criteria.
Does Arka Vertical Garden provide subsidy support for farmers?
Arka Vertical Garden may provide agricultural subsidies, financial assistance, crop support, irrigation benefits, insurance coverage, or farming-related welfare assistance depending on the scheme structure.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Arka Vertical Garden?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Arka Vertical Garden?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Arka Vertical Garden?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Arka Vertical Garden in Kerala?
Users in Kerala may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Arka Vertical Garden applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.