Have you ever imagined growing fresh vegetables without soil? It sounds impossible at first. After all, we are all used to seeing farms spread across open fields, with farmers working on land that spans acres. But what if farming could happen on a small rooftop in the middle of a busy city? What if anyone, living in a flat, an apartment or a small house, could grow their own food? A brilliant mind, Mithilesh Kumar Singh, made it possible.
A boy from rural Uttar Pradesh
Mithilesh comes from a humble rural family in Uttar Pradesh, where life is simpler and fresh food is part of everyday life. Growing up, he was used to seeing vegetables grown and plucked straight from fields, vegetables that were fresh and full of natural taste. The connection with nature was not something he ever had to think about, as it was already a part of his life.
His life took a new direction when he moved to the Metropolitan city of Delhi to pursue his engineering studies. Like most young people leaving home, he had dreams, ambitions, and a desire to build a successful future. The city gave him education, career, exposure, and opportunities, but there was still something missing in his life.
One thing used to constantly bother him. The taste of vegetables just didn’t feel the same anymore. The fresh smell of homegrown produce and the joy of picking vegetables from the field, all these memories felt far away.
A lockdown changed everything
When the world was shut down due to Covid, everything came to a standstill, and people had to stay indoors. Homes became workplaces, playgrounds, and comfort zones. Covid gave Mithilesh time to think about a lot of things.
During this period, he and his wife began growing a few vegetables on their rooftop. He started this as an activity to keep him busy during lockdown, but something surprising happened.
Those small plants started growing faster than they expected. Day by day, they watched green leaves spread across the terrace. The feeling of being connected to something natural it all came rushing back. It was like living that simple yet peaceful life again.
Turning an idea into purpose
Mithilesh noticed that using pots took up too much space. So he began experimenting with PVC pipes. The concept behind using PVC pipes was less space consumption, more output, and minimal maintenance. This idea made perfect sense for urban households.
When he shared this concept online, people instantly loved it. Immense love and interest from people led to the establishment of VegRoof. As VegRoof grew, it began inspiring hundreds of families across the city. People who once struggled to keep a single plant alive were now proudly growing leafy greens, tomatoes, spinach, herbs, and even exotic vegetables. Mithilesh, through his startup, taught that green living doesn’t belong only to villages. It can be a part of every city, every home, every family.
The best part was that it made people happy and healthier. They felt connected to nature in a way they hadn’t experienced in years.
A movement that keeps growing
Today, VegRoof continues to inspire. What started as a lockdown hobby is now a mission spreading across cities. This initiative by Mithilesh makes all of us believe that every rooftop has the potential to become a small farm and every small farm has the power to make the world a green place.
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