Our dependence on the finite resources of this planet is alarmingly high and we should all take immediate steps to ensure that this dependency reduces. We can't all be just consumers. The disproportionate ratio of producers vs consumers in India and all over the world needs to be corrected before something irreversible happens to our beautiful planet. Homes that are self-sustaining are of great importance and value to our environment and ecosystem. We can be self-sustaining either by growing our own produce, producing our own water, taking care of our own waste, ensuring the bio-degradable nature of our waste, and so on and so forth.

The Indian farmer had figured out advanced systems of farming more than 2500 years ago. India was primarily an agrarian society and most people ate what was grown in the area and vicinity. Homes and living areas had kitchen gardens for generations that were traditionally run by the grandmothers, creating a lifestyle of self-sufficiency.

Edible gardens can provide outdoor exercise, stress relief, natural beauty in urban and suburban landscapes, and a chance to enhance our diets with locally grown produce. Planting a seed and then watching something grow and then eating it is a spiritual and necessary experience for any child which will inculcate true respect for any item.

1. More Nutritious
   When growing your own food, your diet is more diverse and healthy, packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Food in its rawest, freshest form is not only the tastiest way to enjoy it, but also the most nutritional. The majority of produce sold in grocery stores go through a long process of being harvested, shipped and distributed to stores. Once distributed, the produce can end up staying in storage or on the shelf for an extended period of time before being purchased, losing nutritional value.
2. No chemicals
   You control the growing environment of your garden. There is no need for chemicals and pesticides in your backyard garden. If you have problems with disease or pests, there is usually an organic remedy to solve it.
3. A good exercise + Vitamin D
   Gardening is a great way to get a quick workout while absorbing Vitamin D. Vitamin D is absorbed by our body from sunlight and it is very good for our bones and general well-being.
4. More environmental friendly
   Long-distance transportation of produce relies heavily on fossil fuels. Growing your own food would help reduce the reliance on this transportation that is harming the environment.
5. Eat fresh and in-season vegetables
   Tending to your garden and growing your own food will teach you to eat in season when flavours and nutrients are at peak. When you have a lot of harvests to use up, you tend to eat more vegetables and think of creative ways to prepare them so nothing goes to waste.