APD’s Horticulture Centre and training programme began in 1987 at Jeevan Bhima Nagar through the efforts of our founder, N. S. Hema. A wheelchair user herself and passionate about horticulture, she envisioned horticulture as a pathway to training, livelihood and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
Established in 1987 by APD founder N. S. Hema, the Horticulture Programme empowers people with disabilities through practical training and hands-on involvement in plant production and sales, promoting sustainable livelihoods, independence and inclusion.
The programme combines accessible skill development, participation in horticulture operations and livelihood opportunities for people with disabilities.
We support people with disabilities with limited access to formal education, by creating accessible opportunities to learn horticulture and develop practical skills.
We make horticulture accessible through hands-on learning, enabling people with disabilities to build skills in plant cultivation, care and production.
We create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in productive work by contributing to plant production and sales.
We integrate the skills and contributions of people with disabilities into our horticulture operations, nurturing greener spaces while advancing inclusive livelihoods.
Highlights from FY 2025–26.
65 weekend apartment sales generating ₹28 lakhs.
47 landscape projects completed, generating ₹33 lakhs.
28 corporate volunteering events.
800+ participants engaged in gardening skills.
288 plant varieties listed.
32 tons of coco peat produced.
50,169 plants with an estimated value of ₹30 lakhs.
400 saplings planted with Titan and Bosch.
1,000 saplings distributed on World Environment Day.
6 Garden Fairs hosted.
“Oota from your Thota” programme conducted.
Partnerships with Indo-American Hybrid Seeds and Deejay Support Group.
The centre is a tripartite initiative involving APD, the donor and the Government.
It provides horticulture therapy and training to 115 beneficiaries, with participants gaining practical experience in plant production.
Beneficiaries are currently involved in growing varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants, shrubs and herbs.
Location: Hombegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560029
