Community farming takes root in Johor

The Star

25-06-2025

FOR years, an empty plot of land next to Block A of Flat Taman Impian Emas in Skudai, Johor, sat idle, neglected and unloved.
That changed when residents, led by project head Muhammad Azli Jasman, decided to put the land to good use.
'We felt the land had potential and it was just wasted space,' he told StarMetro.
'So, we got the necessary permission and turned it into a community farm with the goal of harvesting and selling fresh vegetables at low prices while giving residents a space for healthy outdoor activities.'
He said the project, which began in July last year, received RM25,000 funding under the Iskandar Puteri City Council's (MBIP) Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Community Grant programme, as well as additional contributions from a mosque community nearby.
Muhammad Azli said vegetables were planted on elevated table tops to make gardening easier for elderly residents while encouraging them to participate in the initiative.
'Since October, we have harvested 317kg of leafy greens including bok choy, kangkung, bayam and sawi.
Muhammad Azli showing a handful of fresh vegetables harvested from an elevated table-top patch.
'Due to popular demand, we recently added kacang panjang, kacang bendi, terung and chillies in our farm,' he said, adding that the harvests were sold at below-market prices in line with Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) guidelines, to ensure affordability for low- income groups.
'Even residents from nearby areas drop by on weekends to buy from us.
'Income earned is channelled back to the farm so we can keep giving back to society,' he said.
Some 20 residents including single mothers and low-income earners now manage the farm.
Among them is single mother of four, Ramlah Suri, who had no prior experience in farming.
'I learned everything from scratch, even how to use fertilisers correctly and harvest without damaging the crops.
'This is a good place for residents to gather,' said the 54-year-old clerk.
Rosliza (left) and Ramlah loosening the soil, part of their routine at the Impian Emas Flats community farming project in Skudai, Johor.
Another regular volunteer, Rosliza Md Salleh, 59, said she preferred tending to the farm over scrolling through her phone.
'I hope the younger generation will get involved and discover the joy of farming,' she said.
'I feel a sense of satisfaction when harvesting vegetables, knowing that the fresh produce will be enjoyed by others.'
Muhammad Azli said his team was proud that the project had not only made fresh food accessible, but also brought residents closer.
'We are happy to see people stopping by in the evenings just to take a look. It fosters better neighbourly ties.
'We aim to keep going, now that we have secured a second round of funding, RM30,000 from MBIP which will be used to beautify the space with seating areas as well as expand the vegetable plots,' he said.
Separately, retired lawyer Paw Gee Loung, 62, who started her own small farming project at a patch in Edible Park, Iskandar Puteri, believes anyone can get into farming.
'I began clearing the lalang and weeds at this temporary space in August 2024.
'I learned everything through books, YouTube and through trial and error,' she said, sharing how she replanted a whole patch when it became waterlogged recently after it rained continuously for several days.
At present, Paw, who is not an MBIP grant recipient, grows an extensive range of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers using organic methods and perma- culture principles at the farm.
'Although I am still looking for a permanent space and more volunteers, I'm glad I took the first step.
'If I had waited for the ideal situation, I might never have started,' she said, adding that she tended to her farm almost every day, finding it beneficial for her physical and emotional health.
Paw welcomes it when students or the public walk into her farm for a look.
'I take them on a tour and explain about the different types of plants,' she said, adding that she shares the harvest with family and friends.
'My dream is to have a self-sustaining community farm where vegetables and fruits are organically grown without chemical pesticides and herbicides,' said Paw.
'I also hope to get more people interested and plant more, so that the produce can be sold,' she added.
Benefits of farming
Dr Huszalina Hussin, a committee member of the MBIP Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Community Grant programme, highlighted the benefits of community farming.
She said the initiative provided easier access to fresh produce, strengthened food security and fostered relationships.
Huszalina speaking to local residents on the benefits of community farming while explaining about access to fresh produce, better food security and fostering relationships.
'Studies have even shown that special needs children, such as those with autism, tend to open up and learn to express themselves after being exposed to farming or gardening.
'Some of the successful community farming projects, besides the Impian Emas Flats and Edible Park, are the Kenari Flats in Taman Universiti, Skudai, which combine traditional and modern farming methods,' she said.
Huszalina, who is also a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) senior lecturer, said MBIP's grant programme for the past five years had encouraged the community to get involved in such activities.
She said the programme disbursed RM1.6mil to fund 94 low-carbon projects, which produced about 25,000kg of fresh produce from 2021 to 2024.
'For the programme's fifth edition this year, a sum of RM700,000 was allocated.
'Out of the 89 proposals received, 31 projects were chosen for the grant following a screening process and pitching session,' she added.
The grant programme was organised in partnership with UTM, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Johor Education Department and SWM Environment Sdn Bhd.