Bengaluru: As rapid urbanisation distances children from farming and food production, the College of Horticulture under the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, has introduced a unique ‘Crop Museum’ at the ongoing three-day Sasya Santhe (Sapling Fair) at Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK) near Yelahanka.

Spread across 1.5 acres, the living museum showcases nearly 60 varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers and medicinal plants, offering visitors—especially schoolchildren—a rare opportunity to experience horticulture firsthand.

A museum where crops come alive

Unlike traditional museums with static exhibits, the Crop Museum allows visitors to walk through cultivated plots and observe how fruits and vegetables are grown.

B.S. Lakshman Reddy, Professor at the College of Horticulture, said the initiative enables visitors to understand farming by interacting with living plants rather than simply viewing displays.

The museum features multiple varieties of tomatoes, brinjals and chillies, along with crops such as okra, ridge gourd, snake gourd, cabbage, turnip, radish, pole beans and six varieties of leafy vegetables. Around 20 varieties of flowers and medicinal plants are also on display.

Inspiring the next generation of gardeners

According to B. Anjaneya Reddy, Associate Professor at the university, the museum was created to help urban children understand where their food comes from and appreciate the efforts of farmers.

To make the experience more engaging, children are also allowed to harvest leafy vegetables, encouraging curiosity about gardening, farming and sustainable food production.

Researchers involved in the project noted that many city children are familiar only with vegetables sold in supermarkets or delivered to their homes, making the museum an important educational initiative.

Thousands of students visit

Since opening on Friday, the Crop Museum has attracted thousands of schoolchildren, with educators and organisers describing it as an innovative way to connect young minds with agriculture.

The initiative aims to bridge the growing gap between urban lifestyles and farming while encouraging greater appreciation for horticulture, environmental sustainability and the hard work behind every meal.#Bengaluru #CropMuseum #Horticulture #Education #Agriculture #NewsKarnataka