LAHORE, Mar 4 (ABC): The Punjab government has launched an initiative to promote kitchen gardening by providing certified vegetable seeds to citizens at affordable rates. As a result, households can grow fresh vegetables at home and reduce food expenses.
The seeds can be cultivated in pots, plastic bags, crates, boxes, open spaces, or even on rooftops. Therefore, both urban and rural households can benefit from this initiative.
Currently, the government is distributing seed kits for eight summer vegetables through the Agriculture Extension Department’s network across various districts of the province.
“Summer vegetable seed kits are available for sale throughout the province. These vegetables can be grown successfully to obtain inexpensive and pesticide-free produce,” Shahid Ashraf, In-Charge of the Kitchen Gardening Scheme at the Punjab Agriculture Department, told Wealth Pakistan.
The initiative aims to promote self-sufficiency, improve household nutrition, and encourage sustainable food practices. Moreover, it seeks to make fresh and homegrown vegetables accessible to families across Punjab.
Each kitchen gardening kit contains seeds for eight seasonal vegetables. The summer packs include okra, bitter gourd, sponge gourd, cucumber, tomato, tinda, and chilies.
Shahid Ashraf said the public response to kitchen gardening has been encouraging. Many households are successfully growing vegetables at home and reducing their dependence on market purchases.
Vegetable seed kits are available at district offices of the Agriculture Extension Department in Attock, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Chakwal, Chiniot, D.G. Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhang, Jhelum, Kasur, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha, and Vehari. In addition, the kits are available at the department’s head office in Lahore.
A growing number of Lahorites have adopted kitchen gardening not only to avoid purchasing expensive vegetables from the market but also as a productive hobby.
“I have been growing various summer and winter vegetables on the rooftop of my home. When the seeds sprout and plants begin to produce vegetables, it gives me immense pleasure,” said Ashfaq Hussain Mughal, a resident of Manga Mandi on the outskirts of Lahore.
He added that cultivating vegetables at home is a rewarding way to spend time productively while ensuring fresh food for the family.
Meanwhile, the Vegetable Research Institute (VRI), Faisalabad, is also playing an important role in promoting kitchen gardening across Punjab.
“The institute has developed and distributed more than 200,000 kitchen gardening seed kits for both summer and winter seasons this year,” said Dr Ghazanfar Hammad, Principal Scientist at VRI.
He explained that each kit contains seeds for eight seasonal vegetables, which are sufficient for a five-marla household. In addition, the kits include informative pamphlets outlining kitchen gardening guidelines and best practices.
The kits are available at a nominal price of Rs200 per pack, covering only production costs. Therefore, the programme remains affordable for low- and middle-income families.
Dr Hammad said optimal vegetable growth requires temperatures between 20°C and 35°C. According to him, the current weather conditions in Punjab are favourable for vegetable cultivation until March 31.
In addition to the ongoing distribution, VRI produced 200,000 winter vegetable seed kits in 2025 for free distribution in flood-affected areas with the support of the Fertilizer Manufacturers Association of Pakistan.
“This initiative aims to support vulnerable communities in restoring household food supplies and improving nutritional security,” he said.