Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, is regarded as one of the greenest cities in India. It is also known as the ‘City of lakes’ due to its various natural and artificial lakes. The city offers a perfect combination of old-world charm, scenic nature’s beauty, modern lifestyle & a well-developed infrastructure.
Bhopal is considered as one of the important financial destinations in Madhya Pradesh and has a strong economic base with numerous large and medium industries operating in and around the city in addition to various educational and research institutions.
Besides lakes, the city is in close vicinity to major caves, national parks and tiger reserves, and has been immortalized in Rudyard Kipling’s classic – Jungle Book as well as several new documentaries about the tigers of Bhopal.
As the capital of the state, the city is home to many working and retired bureaucrats as well as professionals participating in the various new industries and businesses being set up. Situated in the heart of India, the city is easily accessible by all major modes of transport - air, rail, and road, making it an attractive economic and tourist destination. The city offers relatively affordable housing and a high quality of life.
The region is also famous for its ‘Sharbati Wheat’ variety, grown on thousands of acres around the city. Soybeans, lentils, mustard, and sugarcane are some of the major crops grown in the region.
As compared to other major metros, Bhopal offers a relatively relaxed pace of life. With larger homes, more open spaces and a rich history of agriculture, residents have been known to experiment and often successfully grow their own greens either on their rooftops, backyards or at farms away from the city.
While hobby farming usually just remains that, farming at some level of scale may require a different mindset and often enough, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Several individuals have attempted to farm at scale, but may have been bogged down by the operational, logistical, or other challenges that may result in the economic unviability of their farms. However, the nature of farming is such that there is often, a huge emotional connect with land and the process.
There has been a recent interest in managed farmlands in Bhopal aimed at both the hobby farmers who are looking for a green space to retreat to and participate in the growing of their food as well as enjoy green spaces and the luxury of a partly managed farm as well as those exploring more financially rewarding options with different types farms being managed at scale and for economic benefit. These range from managed dairy farms to growing crops at scale, organic farms, orchards, and even mixed crop farms. With professional management coming in, participants can choose their level of involvement as well as specific aspects of farming that interest them. Some land owners are also considering professional organizations to step in and manage their own farms and explore options on how to optimally monetize them on their behalf for a fee.
Like with many other cities, the concept of managed farmlands is slowly gaining traction in and near Bhopal and is providing a solution to those either looking to farm as a hobby or full-time farmers looking for professional assistance in running their own farms more efficiently. The authorities, have also been promoting organic and natural farming at large scale. This could prove to be an interesting combination of state support and private initiative in introducing and promoting the concept of managed farmlands near the city.