How do I start terrace farming and what does it cost to set up?

Terrace farming for home use is one of the most accessible of these systems and you can start small and cheap. The basics are containers or grow bags or raised beds, a good growing medium often a mix of soil, compost and cocopeat, drainage so water does not damage the roof, and a watering arrangement, which can be manual or a simple drip kit. A modest starter setup with a dozen or two containers can be done for a few thousand rupees, scaling up with more beds and a drip system raising it further. The most important pre-step is protecting your roof, use a waterproofing layer or keep beds raised and on supports so standing water and roots do not damage the terrace, and check the roof can bear the load of wet soil. Sunlight of at least 5 to 6 hours is needed for most vegetables. For home consumption this is rewarding and low risk. If you plan it as a business, the economics are very different and much harder. Start with easy crops and a few containers, and learn before scaling.