Kerala integrates microgreen production into agricultural plans

Kerala is integrating microgreen production into its 2025–26 Annual Plan, alongside other space-efficient methods such as rooftop cultivation, vertical farming, hydroponics, and container-based vegetable growing. The state’s Agriculture Department intends to provide technical advice to support these initiatives, which aim to utilize limited urban and indoor spaces for productive agriculture.

Microgreens, such as radish, mustard, sunflower, pea shoots, amaranthus, and coriander, offer a rapid harvest cycle, typically between 7 to 21 days after germination. This makes them a viable option for urban entrepreneurship and small-scale home gardening.

For individual gardeners, small-scale cultivation can be achieved using containers, balconies, or kitchen gardens. Fast-growing crops like radishes, baby spinach, lettuce, fenugreek, and green onions are recommended for quick harvests. Budget-friendly approaches include repurposing containers like plastic bottles or old buckets and utilizing vertical gardening techniques to maximize limited floor space.