Article

In this study, an examine the benefits of rooftop gardening concerning nutrition & food security, and reducing the burden on urban waste management. The study aims to examine how rooftop gardening positively influences the lives of urban residents, particularly elderly individuals. It also seeks to assess whether rooftop gardening can serve as a supplementary economic activity within urban communities. Relevant information for the study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through a structured questionnaire survey conducted among household owners and rooftop garden owners in Pabna City. The questionnaire was pre-designed and pre-tested to ensure clarity and reliability, and a total of 62 respondents participated in the survey. The most common products grown in the rooftop gardens were fruits, vegetables, leafy vegetables, spices, and plants used for medicinal purposes. These gardens used household biodegradable waste, the residue of the vegetables & shells of eggs, and decomposed them into compost fertilizers and used them in the rooftop gardens, which reduced the average 887.1g of household waste and met 41% of the fertilizers demand per household. Rooftop gardening is increasingly gaining popularity among elderly individuals as a meaningful way to utilize their leisure time, enhance mental well-being, and foster positive social interactions within the community. The findings indicate that 77.4% of rooftop gardeners experienced an increase in vigor, while 83.9% reported improved psychological well-being as a result of engaging in rooftop gardening activities. In addition to these positive outcomes, negative psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression were either reduced or remained neutral, with no evidence of an increase among participants. Each of the rooftop garden owners’ average yearly income from the garden was around 14,750 BDT (taka), from which they met the expenses of the rooftop garden and had very little net income of 1293.5 taka per year. As a bonus, they had 387.5 kg of fruits and vegetables for consumption at the household level. Finally, from an economic perspective, the cost–benefit analysis indicates that rooftop gardening is a profitable activity. Owing to its inherent advantages, such as low initial investment, efficient space utilization, and sustainable production, it holds substantial potential for expansion in urban areas. Rooftop gardening can be made successful through proper training, ensuring the supply of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, as well as sensitization and motivation for the use of the roof space by the house owner and tenant. This can lead to reducing food insecurity and ensuring nutritional security in urban society.