"Cultivating Change" Selangor to boosts community garden initiative with greenhouse support and more, says Izham Hashim

SHAH ALAM – The Selangor government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Community Garden programme, a public initiative aimed at encouraging greater involvement in agriculture among the public.

Its state Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Ir Izham Hashim said the government was dedicated to providing essential resources such as technology, seeds, organic fertilisers, and other inputs to ensure the success of these community-led gardens.

In addition to ongoing support, Izham revealed that the government was taking further steps to enhance the programme by providing greenhouses to selected community gardens this year.

He said there will be selected gardens that will receive greenhouses, enabling the communities to grow high-value crops such as golden melons and 'Melocell' melons.

He said this move was part of a broader effort to introduce modern farming techniques and increase the production of high-value crops.

“We’re working closely with local councils on several programmes under the Community Garden initiative.

“These gardens are managed by the local communities, and we currently have hundreds of them registered with the PBTs (local councils),” he told Sinar Daily during an exclusive Fireside Chat interview.

Izham Hashim during the Fireside Chat interview.

Izham said the state offers various forms of assistance including modern agricultural technology and inputs like organic fertilisers.

He said that modern farming has shed its outdated image of being dirty and difficult, a perception that has previously discouraged many from pursuing it.

He emphasised that technological advancements, particularly the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) systems, have transformed farming into a more efficient and profitable enterprise.

He further noted that today’s farming practices enable real-time crop monitoring through smartphones and precise control of conditions like temperature and water levels. For high-value crops such as melons, this technology allows for harvests every two months, significantly enhancing profitability.

“We are training communities in cultivating these high-value crops. For example, in Pandan Jaya, we have a training centre where participants learn the process, and once ready, we provide them with greenhouses. We even buy the produce, ensuring there is no concern about marketing the surplus,” he added.

The initiative, Izham said also aims to promote agriculture among women and young people, providing an opportunity to generate additional income with minimal time commitment.

He shared the success of a mushroom farming programme that requires only a few minutes of daily monitoring, making it an attractive option for those seeking supplementary income.

When asked whether modern farming should be included in the school syllabus, he said schools should be encouraged to establish small gardens for students to have hands-on experience with modern farming practices. He said early exposure aims to familiarise students with the sector from a young age.

Izham also highlighted that aside from boosting farmers’ income, the state wanted to attract more women and youths into the agriculture sector under the Plant Transformation Agro Selangor (Peta) programme.

"Women are increasingly engaging in modern agriculture and finding financial success in it. This sector has become more female-friendly, and many women are already making strides in modern farming,” he said.

Selangor’s agricultural programme, Izham said was also addressing climate challenges with the introduction of greenhouses and rain shelters to help control environmental factors like rainfall, which can damage crops.

He emphasised that technology such as IoT plays a critical role in ensuring that farmers can efficiently manage their crops and resources.

As the programme continues to expand, the Selangor government hopes to attract more people, especially women and younger generations, into modern farming.