Planned community urban farming was launched at the City of Elmina in January 2019, whilst a CSR Chili Farm for a low income community was launched at Bukit Subang in mid 2018. In the Malaysian context, urban farming is the practice of cultivating and harvesting fresh produce from community-based garden allotment area or from a common green area under the ownership of a local authority, undertaken in the spirit of collaboration. With the approach taken by Sime Darby Property, an Urban Farm follows one of three models:
A planned amenity built within a township phase under development with residential access, where residents may form a legally registered body (a club for example) to manage the urban farm as a collective. In this case they may also collaborate with the developer to get the community started. Once established, they will be independent with their own sustainable resourcing.
CSR Urban farming for the purpose of income or diet supplementation. In the case of the Bukit Subang Melati Flats Chilli Farm, it was started by the community with Sime Darby Property sponsoring the all the necessary infra and planting materials.
Retrospective Urban Farming. This method requires an already established community to either approach the Local Authority or Developer and demonstrate strong interest, commitment and organisation to establish a community urban farm.
In all instances, there are at least three elements needed for successful urban farming:
An interest and passion amongst the community and readiness to learn and change their lifestyle;
Local authority approval and/or collaboration;
Passionate, committed community leadership to continue to encourage community participation.
Objective
The key objective of Community Urban Farming is to build resilient, connected communities living a low impact healthy lifestyle.
General Target
Average of one (1) Community Urban Farm per township by the year 2030.
Benefits
People, plants and animals all benefit from urban farming, as it can create habitats and improve the ecological diversity of an urban area.
Increases Food Security and knowledge of what goes into your fresh produce.
Provides a Learning Opportunity, especially for the young.
Can stimulate the local economy by circulating income within it.
Urban farming brings people together with a common interest — food.
Creates more green spaces that can add aesthetic appeal, provides restful spaces for the community.
Achievements
January 2019 - Elmina Valley Farm launched (about 100 allotments, EVF Club established and registered).
July 2018 - Melati Apartment, Bukit Subang Chili Farm at Bukit Subang launched. Supplements the income of 30 families with 3-4 harvests per year yielding 2-3 metric tonnes, bringing in RM15-20,000 per harvest.