THE Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) gave away vegetable seedlings to its ‘Orange Heroes’ (Wira Oren) yesterday to ensure that the ‘Backyard Gardening’ or ‘Balcony Gardening’ initiative introduced to them during the Covid-19 pandemic will be a success.
MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mahmud said a total of 20 Orange Heroes from MBSP were selected to participate in the vegetable planting programme in their respective home yards.
Orange Heroes is a term used for MBPP’s 3-D workers who deal in dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs for the community.
Each participant was given three okra plants, one eggplant seedling, 20 grammes of spinach seeds and 200 grammes of compost.
“After a month, participants are required to send pictures of their vegetable cultivation to MBSP. Participants who are successful in planting vegetables after a month will be given two kilogrammes of compost,” Rozali said in his speech when he officiated the presentation of vegetable seedlings ceremony to Orange Heroes at MBSP lobby in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam.
“It is hoped that the Orange Heroes can set an example and provide guidance to their neighbours in promoting the vegetable planting campaign in their respective yards.
“The skills acquired can also help the community improve urban agriculture or community gardens. In addition, in promoting the circular economy, it is expected that each participant practises kitchen waste composting and becomes a zero waste leader.”
Also present at the ceremony were MBSP secretary Rosnani Mahmod, MBSP councillors Rachel Teh, Muhamad Suzuki Ahmad, Anuar Yusuff and Tan Choo Eng.
In Rozali’s own house, there are 300 vertical backyard gardening pots while on the 15th floor balcony of the MBSP Tower, there are 150 vertical gardening pots as well.
Rozali said MBSP would hold a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idrus (UPSI) to develop a Green Education Centre on a 1.4 acre plot of land in Padang Cempedak, Tasek Gelugor.
The community garden centre is currently open to MBSP staff, especially ‘Orange Heroes’, to register and participate in workshops or training.
Last month, MBSP sent seven Orange Heroes to take part in the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Deep Flow Technique (DFT) Phase 1 hydroponic basic infrastructure design technology workshops.
“My hope is that if all residents can create urban farming, backyard farming or balcony gardening and make their own compost, 40% of the waste equivalent to 246,000 tonnes can be removed from landfill.
“In turn, this will reduce tipping fees by RM5.7 million, reduce carbon footprint production by 307.5 kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2e).
“This will help global warming not to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius. In addition, residents can get to eat fresh vegetables and make the community and Seberang Perai more sustainable.”
Rozali said in line with the state’s ambition of creating 100 community garden hubs (urban farming) by 2030, MBSP has implemented the Neighbourhood Garden Programme in Seberang Perai.
To date, he said there are 30 communities involved, of which 11 communities are from north Seberang Perai (SPU), 12 from central Seberang Perai (SPT) and seven from south Seberang Perai (SPS).
The goals of the neighbourhood garden are:
- Utilise vacant land to grow vegetables
- Encourage locals to produce food for daily needs
- Reduce the cost of living of the local community
- Increase the interest of young people in the agricultural sector
- Utilise the use of the latest technology in agricultural projects.
Rozali said the state’s urban farming project supports the Penang2030 vision for a Family-focused, Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.
He said through the community farming project, it also fulfils one of vision’s themes, that is to upgrade the economy by increasing household income.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of MBSP