THE Penang government takes heed of the welfare of Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) in the state as the state Agriculture Department had received some funds to initiate urban farming.
State executive councillor Dr Norlela Ariffin, who is in charge of the Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health portfolio, said the state Agriculture Department had been given two funds from the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry.
The two funds are Urban Agricultural Development (RM200,000) for 2020 and the ‘Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara’ (Penjana) for RM600,000 in 2020 and 2021.
Goh Choon Aik (PH – Bukit Tambun) had a day earlier suggested that those MPKKs interested in urban farming be given support by the state government.
“It was a good move by Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun) to address this matter as it is important to incorporate the involvement of MPKKs to boost our economy.
“The Penang government will also consider utilising MPKK halls to implement urban farming,” said Norlela (PH-Penanti) while presenting her winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
She added that so far, 175 members from 14 MPKKs had received some financial aid.
Out of the 14, seven MPKKs had received RM38,000 from Penjana while seven others had received RM25,850 from the Agriculture Department.
Replying to another question raised by Goh on ways of incorporating the use of technology in farming, she said the use of drones would be a good way to kickstart the use of technology in this area.
“One of the ways is to utilise drones, which can be used to carry out agricultural activities such as fertilisation in paddy fields.
“Through this, the use of human energy can be minimised, time efficiency maximised as well as productivity of paddy production increased,” she added.
On a suggestion by Mohd Tuah Ismail (PH-Pulau Betong) to initiate vertical farming in school areas, Norlela said the state Agriculture Department had worked closely with the state Education Department to organise an urban farming programme this year.
“The programme was conducted in 15 schools with the participation of 720 students at a cost of RM54,875,” she added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi