THE Kebun KitaR, a community farm managed by Bayan Greentech Sdn Bhd, is organising a green education programme next month to educate the public on urban farming.
The programme, which will take place at the Penang Digital Library, is limited to 30 participants. The registration is free.
According to Bayan Greentech horticulturist Dr Jennifer Koen, the programme will be conducted from August till July next year, with one session per month.
“Training and workshop will be done according to three main themes, namely ‘Act At Home’, ‘The Future Is A Garden’ and ‘Learn From Nature’.
“We will be also collaborating with Consumers’ Association of Penang on this programme,” said Koen during the launch of the programme at the Penang Digital Library today.
Bayan Greentech director Jimmy Ong said as planting is easy and maintaining it is difficult, the workshop would provide the right knowledge to do it.
“Community urban farming will help to promote sustainability as well as encourage the public to lead a healthy life.
“Our farming method is chemical free as we use only organic fertiliser. We hope that this (community urban farming) will continue to grow,” Ong said.
Meanwhile, State Welfare and Environment Committee chairman said due to a lack of interest among the community, urban farming is taking off slowly.
“I believe there must be a guideline for urban farming for it to further develop. And all empty land must be used for urban farming to ensure food security.
“I would like to work together with both the local councils, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), and also PLANMalaysia@Penang (Penang Town and Country Planning Department) on this matter,” Phee added.
Also present during the launching ceremony were Penang Green Council general manager Josephine Tan, Emico Holdings Berhad executive chairman Francis Lim, Bayan Greentech committee members, representatives from Penang Digital Library and Sahabat Alam Malaysia.
To register for Kebun KitaR’s green education programme log onto https://kebunkitar.bayangreentech.com
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter