HF Blogger: Yasmin Lari
Ever since the Heritage Foundation began to work on shelter construction in post-flood communities in Sindh, it has bothered me to see desolate villages with no vegetation or trees set midst vast green fields or orchards. With so much greenery around, it is clear that it is not for lack of water, quality soil, expertise or hard work. I wondered why villagers did not plant trees or vegetables in their own compounds? Amidst pervasive poverty and illness, surely eating vegetables and fruit would immediately improve the health of the community, particularly of women and children.
The answer lay in the pressure of the system of waderashahi or “landlordism.” Since the land on which they build does not belong to them, the villagers are scared to plant anything in the area. Also, the land at their disposal is limited and they feel that making vegetable beds or even planting trees will reduce their space.
The solution could lie in the use of their roofs. The eco-build strong, accessible KaravanRoof thus became the key factor to extend the space of the village households. For some time, now we have been struggling as to how to get the process moving. There have been many fears: namely, the landlord might not allow roof farming and the roof might not be strong enough to take the load.
Gradually, these fears are being dispelled and the process of vegetable farming on roof has begun in Karavan EcoVillage Moak Sharif. The landlord has given his go-ahead and the first steps are gradually being taken up by the villagers.
I have given instructions to arrange for advice at site. Naheem Shah, after carrying out experimentation has deputed the gardener to provide guidance: how to divide up the roof into panels or beds so that water could be drained and provide space for access and watering; to build mud up-stands directly on top of strong multiple bamboo KaravanJoists to ensure that extra load of the earth up-stand can be sustained; lining the roof surface with polythene; placing the bottom layer of charcoal dust, the waste material procured from nearby brick kilns; using 8” depth of good soil with organic fertilizer etc.
Experimentation with low water consumption watering techniques are being carried out. The first one is to use an upside down used mineral water bottle, with a small hole and after some issues regarding the size of the perforation, the system seems to be working. Other watering systems will also be tried out to see what is easiest and consumes the least amount of water to keep the soil moist.
Since we will be experiencing the hot spell for several months, a system of awning over the planted beds is also being worked out.
As Mehmood Nawaz Shah, the landlord of village Moak Sharif, himself pointed out: “even if they can grow one cauliflower a day or some other vegetable, it will be an extra source of nutrition and make a huge difference to their health.”
The success of roof farming can transform the outlook of these villages from desolate and dry eyesores into green oases. Thus the benefits of the almost carbon zero footprint eco-build sustainable KaravanRoofs will extend beyond providing safety during floods, and the exciting prospect of being a means to provide nutritious food and a healthy environment!