All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) organized a two-day multi-colored event at Gulmohar Park in New Delhi on 17th and 18th September 2022. The event was a vibrant show of various organically grown horticulture plants which attracted visitors and participants from all over the nation.
The word ‘hortus’ derived from Latin means ‘garden’, which is the origin word for the word Horticulture. Horticulture is a branch of plant agriculture that deals with garden crops, generally fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The two-day event constituted of various miniature plants and carefully carved Bonsai Art. Originating from the Chinese art form of ‘penjing’, over 1000 of years ago, and developed primarily by the Japanese, Bonsai is the art of growing and training miniature trees in pots.
Highlighting the event with his illuminating presence Suresh Malhotra, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, talked about the importance of homegrown plants and vegetables. He not only talked about the aesthetic appeal of the miniature plants and flowers but also highlighted the importance of organically grown plants for a healthy and fulfilling way of life.
With ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’, a slogan given by former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri during the food scarcity of the 1960s, as his inspiration, Malhotra, aspires to encourage people to grow vertical gardens and promote sustainable farming.
Bella Gupta, the Secretary of All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA), said, “The main theme of the show this year is ‘The Kitchen Garden’ as several factors are involved in planting a vegetable garden. As much work goes into planning as it does into the actual growing of the vegetables. Choosing a spot, preparing your soil, and deciding on which vegetables all have to happen prior to the actual process of planting.”
“It has to be emphasized during the show that this is not only a flower show but also a vegetable and fruit show for promoting the plantation of organic crops and thereby contributing to a greener and cleaner environment,” she added.
More than 100 varieties of plants, vegetables, and fruits spread in 21 sections including landscaping, pots and containers, ornamental plants, trey gardens, bottle gardens, cut fruits, vegetables, and flower arrangements were on display during the event.
