PENANG: A stone’s throw from the five-storey walk-up flats at Rifle Range here is a plot of community farm tended by the Kampung Bahru Village Community Management Council (MPKK) under the Air Putih constituency.
MPKK Kampung Bahru chairman Habibah Mat tends to it daily. “I go to the farm from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 5pm to 6.30pm.
Those who wish to buy fresh pesticide-free vegetables at an affordable price would come over to the farm in the evening to make the purchase.
“We plant cabbages, kangkong, sawi, bayam, okra, brinjals, chives and a variety of other herbs in the farm,” she said, adding that the fruit trees occasionally yield produce.
MPKK Kampung Bahru’s community farm is roughly 1,250 sq m. “Unfortunately, our sales have not been very good. It is insufficient to cover the cost of maintaining our kebun.
“Our water bill comes up to about RM200 monthly, and we need to use our MPKK’s funds to pay for other necessities. Although we receive some funds from our assemblyman Lim Guan Eng, we still need to try to be self-sufficient,” she said.
Once a dumping ground for the residents, Habibah and MPKK members cleaned up the area in 2014 and transformed it into a farm. Initially, they started planting fruit trees but switched to growing vegetables in 2018.
“Our former chief minister, who is the current state assemblyman for the Air Putih constituency, officiated the community farm in 2015.”
The transformation from a dumping ground to a vibrant green space teeming with life is a sight to behold.
In addition to being a source of fresh produce, the farm also has a recycling and compost corner. The use of organic fertilisers made from recycled materials is not only beneficial for the soil but also serves as a good model for ecologically friendly farming practices.
“At present, we make our own organic fertiliser using a machine donated by CIMB (Bank) and Penang Habitat. We utilise leftover vegetables and fruits from the food bank, along with dried leaves and grass to create fertiliser for our garden,” Habibah said.
She and MPKK members hold a gotong-royong every fortnight to maintain the garden’s cleanliness. “Some residents who live nearby join in to help trim the grass with grass cutters, and we hire arborists to prune the tree branches.”
As the farm’s growth progresses, it also serves as a community hub, instilling in residents a sense of belonging and pride in the neighbourhood.
Another community garden thrives at Kota Permai in the Padang Lallang constituency, overseen by Evelyn Oh, the chairman of MPKK Kota Permai.
“Ours is a small garden, roughly 10ft by 12ft,” she said. “We only started in May this year, with the encouragement of Datuk Seri Chong Eng, our former assemblyman.
“Due to the lack of space, we are also experimenting with vertical planting.
“Bernard Cheen also contributed to our funding for constructing a structure suitable for the creeping plants,” said Oh, attributing the blue structure with a corrugated transparent roof to the generous support of the councillor of Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
Despite its modest size, this community garden is making good progress, thanks to the determination and resourcefulness of its caretakers.
Oh and her MPKK committee members are committed to cultivating this small plot. “We have a duty roster. Some water the plants in the morning, and some in the evening. Among us, we have eight people attending to the garden,” she said.
Their garden boasts a diverse array of vegetables grown by members for sharing within the community.
“We grow a variety of vegetables such as brinjals, cucumbers and a selection of herbs. We also have passion fruits in our garden,” Oh said, adding that they were not selling any of their produce yet.
“We are still at the trial-and-error stage as most of us have no experience in farming. Sometimes, we try out new things that we learn on YouTube, like adding vinegar or baking soda to the compost, which, by the way, isn’t effective,” she said.
“Our biggest headaches are pests. Recently, we had to clear our vegetables due to a pest attack,” Oh said, expressing the need to find organic solutions to repel insects. “We’re considering experimenting with natural substances like chilli, lemongrass and salt sprays.
“Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, the state assemblyman for the Padang Lallang constituency, has also been very supportive of this community initiative.
“Gooi has provided us with resources and encouragement to sustain and expand our garden.”
Like in Kampung Bahru, the community at Kota Permai conducts regular gotong-royong for the garden’s upkeep.
“We gather every weekend to clean, ensuring our garden remains tidy and well maintained,” Oh said, highlighting the collaborative spirit that acts as a crowd-puller, fostering communal bonding and promoting sustainable living.
At MPKK Tanjung Bungah, a community farm has also been set up. Damien Fong, its chairman, said: “We just expanded the farm to include growing mushrooms. And we also contribute our product to the Mutiara Food Bank.”
According Pemamg Agriculture Department director Mohd Muhaimin Ibrahim, there are currently 25 community-operated and 27 school-operated farms in the state, compared with 23 and 14 respectively in 2019.
“Those who fall under the category of community or schools may also apply for funding of up to RM20,000 from the Agriculture Department.
“The state Agriculture Department plays a role in driving agriculture activities in the state.
“Our doors are always open to those who seek advice on planting and managing their farms,” he said.
He cited the Bandar Cassia’s “Farmers to Farmers” hydroponic project jointly set up by the Penang state government and the state Agriculture Department as an example of a successful implementation.
