Perakeans are encouraged to start gardening at their own houses for growing crops to consume or to generate income for betterment of the state’s economy.
The state government has allocated RM790,000 for gardening kits under the state level Bumi Hijau (Green Earth) planting programme, which is expected to benefit around 11,081 households in Perak.
According to Perak Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, urban farming is a great initiative for the public to not only enjoy chemical-free produce, but also to instil their interest towards the agricultural field.
“Besides greening the earth, it also provides many returns to households in saving their kitchen spending, which in turn reduces cost of living,” he expressed at the programme launch today on June 25 at his office in the State Secretariat Building. “I highly recommend citizens in both urban and rural areas to start their own ‘kitchen garden’.”
“With the previous enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO), nature has taken a breath of fresh air,” Faizal posited. “The sharp decrease of carbon emission in our state has given space for self-healing of nature.
“Despite that, the underlying issue is that most of our food sources are imported, which will expose the nation to a large-scale crisis risk should the country be unable to import food in the long run due to worldwide lockdown,” he noted. “This programme is meant to not only guarantee food security but also to spur the economy in Perak.”
Also present at the launch was State Executive Councillor for Agriculture, Fishery, Plantation and Food Security, Dato’ Abdul Yunus Jamahri and Perak Agriculture Department chairman, Norsiyenti Othman.
Faizal also announced several projects by the state government through the Perak State Agricultural Development Cooperation (PPPNP) which will involve around 1,000 entrepreneurs under the Agro-Farming Entrepreneurs Scheme, such as Urban Farming Project and Perak Agriculture Integrated Valley (PAIV).
“With these projects, no lands in the state will be left idle,” he stated. “Empty ones will be utilised for farming purposes.”
Chris Teh
