A rooftop garden is not just a hobby; it needs a deep love of farming, which gives every plant, whether fruit, flower, vegetable or medicinal, the chance to grow well. This 2,200-square-foot roof belongs to Chattogram rooftop farmer Shamsul Alam. It is not large, but careful planning has made it rich.

Large, showy dahlias attract attention all year, alongside seasonal fruit and vegetables: fresh chillies, bunches of tomatoes and plenty of greenery.

"When we eat fresh vegetables from our own garden, the whole family eats with satisfaction," said Shamsul Alam of Panchlaish Hillview. "Anyone who can afford it should do rooftop farming; those who do benefit most. They can feed their families formalin-free vegetables and fruit, because what we bring from the market is full of formalin."

A nature lover and farming enthusiast, he chose plants for family needs, beauty and usefulness and supervises everything from planting onwards. He starts tending the plants in the morning, asks his son to look after them while he is at the office and goes straight to the roof when he returns.

He has built a love of farming in the whole family. His grandson Sami often spends happy time on the roof with him and has learned a lot. "I really enjoy seeing how different flowers and vegetables are planted and looked after," Sami said.

Money can meet life's needs, but rooftop farming provides something different, and Shamsul Alam believes everyone who builds such a garden shares that aim.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Chhad Krishi. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.