The four-storey house in Sipahibagh in the capital was built in 2003, and the rooftop farm on its 1,950-square-foot roof dates from then. It was created by Abu Naser Mohammad Rafiq, an officer in the Bangladesh Bank's inspection department, to keep alive the love of farming and nature he developed as a child in the village.

In about fourteen years of farming, he has experimented with many fruits and crops, and fresh fruit, flowers and vegetables grow well. The roof produces mango, guava, lemon, sapodilla, carambola, pomegranate, star gooseberry, custard apple, malta and more. Mango varieties include Amrapali, Subarnarekha and Thailand's Kiew Sawoei, a sweet-when-green mango that has fruited well this year.

Importantly, he uses no pesticides on the roof and has taken training in various places for this. Enjoying completely toxin-free produce is the main aim.

Rooftop farming has increased his understanding of and responsibility towards agriculture. He says that at a time of climate change, rooftop farming is a great way to curb urban heat, green city life and reduce pollution. Anyone can now become a rooftop farmer, as materials and information are easy to find.

What sets his roof apart is a huge jasmine (beli) bush whose fragrance fills the surroundings and delights the whole family.

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