About All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA)
All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) (Regd) All India Kitchen Garden Association is a registered Society under Societies Registration Act XXI 1860 ( Punjab Amendment) Act 1957, as extended to union territory of Delhi.
The Society is a non-political, Non secretarian, purely voluntary Organization.
All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting kitchen gardening, organic food cultivation, and sustainable living practices across India. AIKGA works to empower households, communities, and institutions to grow safe, chemical-free, and nutritious food at home.
By combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques, AIKGA supports individuals and families in adopting eco-friendly kitchen garden practices suitable for homes, balconies, terraces, backyards, and community spaces.
Who We Are
AIKGA is a community-driven association formed to encourage self-reliance in food production, environmental awareness, and healthy living. We bring together gardeners, volunteers, educators, agricultural experts, and sustainability advocates under a shared vision of greener homes and healthier communities.
Our initiatives focus on awareness, education, capacity building, and community participation at the grassroots level.
The foundation of AIKGA was inspired by the growing need for safe food, sustainable lifestyles, and reconnecting people with nature. Rapid urbanization and dependency on chemical-based food systems highlighted the importance of reviving kitchen gardening in modern Indian households.
AIKGA was established to make kitchen gardening:
Accessible to all income groups
Adaptable to urban and rural environments
Affordable and environmentally responsible
Over time, AIKGA has expanded its reach through workshops, training programs, educational resources, and digital platforms, creating a nationwide network of kitchen garden practitioners.
Our History
All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) was founded in 1967 in the leadership of Smt. Lalita Shastri ji (w/o our Beloved Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji). Lalita ji and her associate Smt Sarla Bhargava, successfully carried forward the movement of growing food at home in urban areas and contributing in the the country’s Mission to combat the food scarcity situation during 1966-67.
The same association has grown into a prestigious organisation of national importance known as “All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA). Today, AIKGA continues to guide urban population to develop kitchen gardens and home gardens in the most urban areas like our metro cities. The aim of growing healthful food in urban spaces continues even today with additional objective of mitigating environmental efects of urbanisation through home gardens. The organisation now has over 6000 members across the country and is growing every hour.
AIKGA strives to preserve the attributes of our environment through many organisational and social projects working with schools, institutions, Government bodies etc. The revered scientists from IARI (Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa) and many revered horticulturists continue to mentor and help AIKGA in its feats.
AIKGA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
(a) To promote Kitchen and Home Gardens
(b) To provide various inputs required for Kitchen and Home Gardens.
(c) To arrange lectures, exhibitions, film shows and demonstrations in relation to Kitchen and Home gardens.
(d) To propagate the importance of Nutrition Values, a balanced diet and nutritious food for children and expecting mothers, and promote a diet based on vegetables and fruits.
(e) To propagate and encourage scientific value addition to fruits and vegetables
(f) To interact with Agencies and Institutions, with similar objectives either directly or indirectly.
(g) To bring out periodicals and bulletins related to Kitchen and Home gardens.
AIKGA Patron and Executive Members
The Executive Committee of AIKGA oversees governance, planning, and implementation of the association’s activities.
The committee ensures: Transparent decision-making, Ethical operations, Proper financial management and Effective coordination of national and regional activities
Our Founder Patrons and Executive Members 1967
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Lalita Shastri
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Laxmi Rao
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Promila Chavan
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Tara Sexena
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Sarla Bhargava
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Tara Bahadur
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Pushpa Talwar
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Vidya Padam Prashad
Profession – Social worker
FOUNDER MEMBER
Smt. Shanti Mittal
Profession – Social worker
PATRON
Smt. Promila B. Chavan
Profession – Social worker
VICE PRESIDENT
Smt. Sheila Vaidya
Profession – Social worker
PRESIDENT
Smt. Sarla Bhargava
Profession – Social worker
VICE PRESIDENT
Smt. Satwant Lamba
Profession – Social worker
VICE PRESIDENT
Smt. Chitra Kiri
Profession – Social worker
SECRETARY
Smt. Rani Ram Krishan
Profession – Social worker
TREASURER
Smt. Salena Ahmed
Profession – Social worker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Vandana Desai
Profession – Social worker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Indira Misra
Profession – Social worker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. preeti Mittal
Profession – Social worker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Syama Balbir
Profession – Social worker
Our Pioneer Patrons and Executive Members 20110
CHIEF PATRON
Dr. K.L. Chadha
Profession – Former IARI Director General, Consultant
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
Smt. Vidya Ben Shah
Profession – Social worker
PARTON
Mr. S.K. Mathur
Profession – Horticulturist
PARTON
Mr. K.C. Sharma
Profession – Horticulturist
PARTON
Mr. O.P. Arora
Profession – Horticulturist
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Dr. B.S. Tomar
Profession – Sr. Scientist, IARI
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Dr. S.S. Sindhu
Profession – Social worker
PRESIDENT
Smt Rani Ram Krishan
Profession – Home Maker
VICE PRESIDENT
Smt. Jyotsna Sahai
Profession – Home Maker
VICE PRESIDENT
Smt. Saroj Aggarwal
Profession – Home Maker
HONORARY SECRETARY
Smt. Bella Gupta
Profession – Home Maker
TREASURER
Smt. Chitra Kiri
Profession – Home Maker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Shireen Mehta
Profession – Home Maker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Shashi Gupta
Profession – Home Maker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Usha Kanda
Profession – Home Maker
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Syama Balbir
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Rekha Malhotra
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Usha Marwaha
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt Renu Sood
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Shri Sharad Kapoor
Profession – Educationist
EXEC MEMBER
Dr. S.P. Subharwal
Profession – Social Worker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Prabha Jain
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Rooprani Sharma
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Kumud Kohli
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Meena Prasad
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Rachna Jain
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Kanta Madan
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Sheelu Yogi
Profession – Home Maker
EXEC MEMBER
Hema Ganapathy
Profession – Home Maker
Present Patrons and Executive Members 2026
CHIEF PATRON
Dr. B.S. Tomar
Education – Ph.D. Horticulture
Professional Background – Served as Head, Division of Vegetable Science, Joint Director (Extension), Professor of Vegetable Science, School Coordinator (Horticultural Sciences) and In-charge Seed Production Unit at IARI, New Delhi. I had 40 years working experience in vegetable research, teaching, extension, seed & planting material production of Horticultural crops at IARI, Pusa, New Delhi. Developed more than 40 vegetable varieties and hybrids, guided 24 M.Sc and Ph.D students in Seed Science & Technology and Vegetable Science. An organized seed and planting material of IARI developed vegetable, flower and fruit varieties. Delivered more than 500 T.V., Radio talks in Akashvani, Delhi Doordarshan and DD Kisan. Recipient of Jawhar Lal Nehru Award for outstanding PhD research contribution of ICAR in 1995, IARI Best Teacher Award 2014, Dr. Kirti Singh Gold Medal for outstanding contribution in vegetable research 2018 by Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences, 7th NHRDF Award for outstanding contribution in onion and garlic research in 2023, Dr. Kirti Singh Gold Medal in vegetable science for 2024 of ISVS, Varanasi and AIKGA Gold Medal 2024.
Your tenure with AIKGA : Associated with All India Kitchen Garden Association with 1997 and served as technical advisor.
PATRON
Mr. K.C. Sharma
Education – B.Sc. (Agriculture)
Profession – Former Director (Horticulture), NDMC
Living Founder Member of AIKGA, co-founder of the association along with Smt. Sarla Bhargava and others, pioneer in promoting vegetable gardening in pots through lectures and practical guidance, contributing to the growth of AIKGA
PATRON
Dr. Indira Misra
Education – M.A. , B.ed , PhD.
Professional Background – Ikebana master, Leader Ohara Study group
Your tenure with AIKGA – Joined Aikga in 1986, have been joint secretory, member of executive, have been giving classes in basic garden trainings, and Ikebana classes.
PATRON
Dr. Markandey Singh
Education – M.Sc. & Ph.D., Agra University, Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
Profession – Head & Principal Scientist, Division of Floriculture & Landscape Architecture, ICAR-IARI
Specialist in improvement of cut flowers; developer of multiple rose, marigold, chrysanthemum, and ornamental kale varieties; recipient of national awards in floriculture; Fellow of leading horticultural societies.
PRESIDENT
Mrs. Syama Balbir
📞 98100-73673
Education – Post graduate in economics, delhi school of economics
Profession – homemaker.
Joined aikga in 1990, Joint secretary in 1995, Vice president in 2010
Presently president of AIKGA
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
Mrs. Usha Marwaha
Profession – Social worker and welfare organiser.
Past President – AIKGA, Life Member since 1989.
President Women’s Welfare Organisation of Indian Ordnance Factories (1985–1987); active member since 1956.
Ran skill development centres for women
(sewing, typing, knitting, education).
Established Bal Vikas in Chennai for children with learning disabilities.
Set up a computer learning centre for factory workers and their families.
Convenor of Unit 7A
VICE PRESIDENT
Smt. Rashmi Gupta
📞 99101-65111
Education – Graduation – LSR
Profession – Homemaker
Been with AIKGA for the last 40 years
Was Joint Secretary from 1989 to 1995
Presently, Vice President of AIKGA
VICE PRESIDENT
Mrs. Chitra Kiri
📞 88600-40466
Education – B.Arch IIT Roorkee.
Profession – Self employed Architect.
AIKGA Member since 1986
Teasurer – 1990 – 2025
Vice President AIKGA – 2025.
Member of Social organisations Sisters of the people lajpat Bhawan
Tangent International
HONY. SECRETARY
Smt Bella Gupta
Hon Secretary 2010- 2025
HONY. SECRETARY
Mrs. Kantaa Madan
📞 98180-89240
Education – Graduated from Indraprastha College, Delhi.
Profession – Home Maker, Love for Nature.
Joined AIKGA in March 1987.
Opened one branch in Jaipur under Sarla ji’s guidance from 1994-2004.
Joint secretary in AIKGA Executive Committee 2004-2024.
Honorary Secretary of AIKGA 2024
Convenor of Unit-7A.
TREASURER
Mrs. Kumud Grover
Education – Graduate Delhi university.
Profession – MC member of Gulmohar sports and community Center from. 2012 .
Vice president for 8 years Sculpture Artist ,
Associated with Triveni Kala sangam for the last 25 years.
Associated with AIKGA for the last 45 years .
Executive member of AIKGA
Since 2012
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Shireen Mehta
Education – Graduate from Mumbai
Davars College of Commerce Secretarial Studies, Mumbai.
Profession – Homemaker
Joined AIKGA in 1989.
Was Convenor of Panchsheel Unit for 24 Years.
JOINT SECRETARY
Smt. Shashi Gupta
JOINT SECRETARY
Mrs. Anita Aggarwal
Education – B.A. B Ed and Sangeet Prabhakar from
Prayag Sangeet Samiti Allahabad
Profession – Homemaker
Association with the AIKGA for more than three decades.
Had been delivering talks on different topics Right now convenor of unit 13 and Joint secretary of AIKGA.
JOINT SECRETARY
Mrs. Usha Das
Profession – Home maker & Social Worker
Joined AIKGA as assistant to Sarla Bhargava in 1993
Became convenor of three units, depending on proximity to home
Unit 13 Jorbagh, Unit 4 Defence Colony, Unit 1 Gulmohar Park.
Became Executive member, 2012
Joint secretary of Aikga -2025
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Rekha Malhotra
Education – Graduation from Delhi University.
Interior Design Women’s polytechnic South Extension.
Joined AIKGA 1987
Convenor of Safdarjung Enclave since 1993
EXEC MEMBER
Mrs. Renu Sood
Education – MA (Hons) in Geography from Calcutta University.
Profession – Home maker.
Active member with AIKGA since 1996.
Executive Committee member of the AIKGA.
Convenors of the DLF City Unit 39 for more than 20 years.
EXEC MEMBER
Mr. Sharad Kapoor
Education – Msc in Hospitality and Catering management from
Algappah university.
Passion – gardening since childhood.
Member AIKGA since 1992.
Executive committee member.
Also convener of unit 10
EXEC MEMBER
Mrs. Rooprani Sharma
Education – Commercial Art + Advertising + Textile
Was Convener: Unit 8A / Unit 8B
Member : Executive Committee, 1989
Joined : AIKGA in 1982
EXEC MEMBER
Mrs. Meena Prasad
Education – Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Profession – Associated with Akshya Pratisthan and Blind School.
Executive Member of AIKGA since 2004.
Convenor of Unit 29 – Vasant Kunj since 1991
EXEC MEMBER
Mrs. Rachna Jain
Education – Graduate from Delhi university
Home science from south extension.
Joined Aikga in 1993
Executive member of AIKGA
Convenor preet vihar
EXEC MEMBER
Mrs. Hema Ganapati
Education – Undergraduate.
Profession – Teach various topics of gardening in the AIKGA Units, Basic Gardening Training Course and Advance Gardening Training Course.
Active member with AIKGA since 1992.
Executive Committee member of AIKGA.
Convenor of DLF City Unit-39 and managed the Accounts and Memberships etc. for unit for 26 years.
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Nandita Chaturvedi
Education – Graduate.
Profession – Home maker.
Member of AIKGA, since 1996.
Executive member of AIKGA.
Convenor of Unit 7B.
EXEC MEMBER
Smt. Anuradha Sharma
Education – Post graduate
Profession – Home maker.
Joined AIKGA in 1998
Presently the convenor of Unit 21
Also the Executive Committee member of AIKGA
EXEC MEMBER
Mrs. Poornima Savargaonkar
Education – BE (EC &T)
Profession – EX ISRO scientist, Independant Director, Founder Director – Enrichec Soil and Soul Pvt Ltd.
Recipient of ‘Innovative Farmer Award’- Krishi Unnati Mela 2018.
Tenure with AIKGA – since 2007
Bye-Laws & Governance Framework
AIKGA functions in accordance with its registered bye-laws, which define the association’s structure, governance, and operational principles.
The bye-laws include provisions related to:
Membership categories and eligibility
Rights and responsibilities of members
Governance structure and tenure
Roles of office bearers
Financial accountability and audits
Meetings and decision-making procedures
Amendments and dispute resolution
These guidelines ensure transparency, accountability, and democratic functioning.
Why AIKGA Matters
Kitchen gardening contributes to:
Improved household nutrition
Reduced dependence on chemically treated food
Environmental sustainability
Community engagement
Mental and physical well-being
AIKGA believes that small gardens can create large social and environmental impact.
Join All India Kitchen Garden Association
AIKGA welcomes individuals, families, volunteers, and organizations who wish to promote kitchen gardening and sustainable living.
👉 Become a Member and be part of India’s growing kitchen garden movement.