Urban Agriculture

"B", an Agricultural Engineer in Khan Younis (southern area of Gaza) has figured out how to have an entire biosphere up on his rooftop. Thinking about the challenges that come with limited resources, limited land, and a very low amount of annual rainfall- he has constructed what he hopes to be one of the options for Gazan farmers.

Many programs that take place in the Gaza Strip led by local and international NGO's come with a series of requirements, often having the appropriate amount of land, or the ability to make an irrigation system. But B has thought about the chunk of land that almost every Palestinian family has-- a flat roof. Houses are constructed so that family units can build level above the original floor. The first floor for the parents, the second floor for the first son and his family, and so on.

B's ecosystem consists of:

1. A rainwater cistern to catch the rain, filled with fish.
2. The fish's excrement is taken out and used as natural fertilizer.
3. Long strips of pipes cut in half for planting.
4. A small irrigation system that takes the water from the cistern in order to water the plants

And voila! Fresh vegetables- 100% organic, 100% pesticide free all on his roof.

B is testing out his system, hoping to create a program in the future so that many of the residents in Khan Younis will have an equal opportunity to diversify their diets with fresh products from their very own roof.