For those who use Delhi Metro for commute or frequent travel within the national capital, it is virtually impossible to ignore the view of bright green foliage which is spread on the either side of the metro rail at Yamuna Bank near the Akshardham Temple. Zooming in on the green foliage, the scene of farmers working in their agricultural fields offers a visual treat of an almost rural landscape in an uber urban setting —  as if a fleeting encounter between the two faces of this developing country exchanging a brief smile. 

In this photo essay, Gaon Connection presents the visuals from the humble lives of Delhi’s urban farmers who often go unnoticed in the usual discourses on agriculture in India. These farmers, an overwhelming majority of whom have migrated from other states in search for a livelihood in the national capital, are an integral part of the daily lives of Delhi’s residents. They provide fresh green vegetables to the urban dwellers mainly in the areas around Akshardham Temple — such as Mayur Vihar, Pandav Nagar, Ganesh Nagar, Noida, and other localities situated in the eastern part of Delhi. 

Have a look at these pictures as we offer a pictorial tribute to these urban farmers of Delhi:

These farmers who mainly cultivate vegetables for a livelihood work amidst a looming fear of being evicted — as the land on the Yamuna bank is officially under the ownership of Delhi Development Authority (DDA). 

Often, entire households are involved in the cultivation. Usually, tasks which are less labour-intensive are handled by children who often pick the vegetables from the field.

A basket full of freshly plucked gourds from the field.

The majority of farmers at the Yamuna bank have less than 10 bighas of land to work on. 

However, water from Yamuna which is one of the most polluted rivers in the world is used to cultivate the vegetables and often chemical fertilisers and pesticides are added for a profitable yield. 

An family of farmers seen working in their fields. It takes collective efforts of an entire family to cope up with the challenges of farming in an urban setting.

A boy uses his phone while sitting on a cot under the shade of a bedsheet — a typical makeshift arrangement which provides some rest to the cultivators who often use it to guard their crops.

The farmers along the Yamuna banks belong to some of the poorest sections of the society in the national capital.

Although, some farmers have also installed tubewells to irrigate their fields. But most of the farmers depend on getting the water from the river.

A peek at the lunch-time of the farmers at the Yamuna bank.

Most of the farmers sell their produce below the metro bridge at a distance of a few metres of their humble houses.

The produce sold at the vegetable market is also supplied to far off areas in Delhi.