30 women in Taman Mawar have turned their gardening hobby into a benchmark for community farms in Pasir Gudang, Johor. The group started growing plants on a 0.2ha piece of land provided by the local authority, upgrading it with the help of the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) last June. They now grow a variety of cash crops such as brinjal, corn, ridge gourd, and bottle gourd. The council has recognized their efforts and set their farm as a benchmark for other community farms in the city. The majority of the members are engineers and accountants who work in the Pasir Gudang Industrial Area.
Taman Mawar Women Community Farm also serves as a place for the community to purchase vegetables and fruits at lower prices compared to nearby farms. Interested buyers can visit a shed set up at the farm to select the produce. The group has also formed a partnership with another nearby garden, Duku Community Farm in Taman Kota Masai, to help sell their produce.
Mohd Hafis Mohd Razali, who lives near Duku Community Farm, decided to quit selling burgers after 16 years and try his luck at farming. Together with 18 others, they operate a farm that uses the fertigation method, delivering fertilizers to plants through an irrigation system. They plan to modernize their farm by installing AI-based equipment and machines to reduce workload and provide nutrients directly to plants in need.
The community farm in Flora Heights apartment is not only a gathering space for the elderly but also a source of income. The members spend their free time gardening, starting their daily routine at 7am. The farm grows plants through fertigation or hydroponic methods, with some directly placed in the ground.
Kenari Kangkar Pulai Urban Farm offers residents a convenient source of vegetables without having to travel far. The farm, set up in 2018, receives assistance from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP). The community is often engaged by government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs to share their knowledge on taking care of plants and farms. They have turned four pocket areas around their block into an urban farm and appreciate the residents’ support in keeping the plants safe.
The committee of Kenari Kangkar Pulai Urban Farm is open to suggestions from residents on what types of plants they want to grow. Currently, the focus is on quick cash crops such as chillies, curry leaves, and lemongrass. The farm also provides a side income for some members, especially housewives.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
