AVG

Arka Vertical Garden

"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.

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

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  • Caste Certificate (if applicable)
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