Empowering 30 Rural Farming Families in Sustainably Achieving Food Security
Hopes Malaysia hosted a Sustainable Farming Workshop in late January 2022 as part of its programme to further empower rural communities with sustainable livelihoods. Held at Hopes Malaysia’s Community Hall in Kampung Tudan, Kota Belud, 30 rural project farmers from across the remote villages of Kota Belud attended the one-day event to receive first-hand experience on how to sustainably reach food security for their families, with guidance on green farming with vermicomposting (using worms to produce natural fertiliser).
In all of its initiatives, Hopes Malaysia prioritises sustainability, practicality and impact. The local non-governmental organisation empowers its experienced farmers to lead newer project farmers within the rural community, ensuring successful continuity. During the workshop, the NGO’s role-model farmer, Puan Elinah shared her farming experience and techniques with the new batch of farmers via talks and demonstrations. Farmers learnt how to sustainably sow and grow seeds in egg trays, and make their own organic pesticides using lemongrass and chilis. Additionally, farmers learnt more about vermicomposting and its sustainable, long-term benefits due to the NGO’s initiative with the 2021 Star Social Impact Grant. After an insightful farming Q&A session, the attendees were given egg trays, vegetable seedlings, vermicompost fertiliser, certificates of appreciation, with some even receiving African Nightcrawler worms (for vermicomposting) to rear at home.
their new worms
Hopes Malaysia’s newest rural farmers are now better equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in sustainable farming and achieving food security for their families, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Sabah’s rural community is also closer to adopting eco-friendly farming methods instead of harmful monoculture (growing one type of crop) agriculture practices and chemical fertiliser usage that pollute the environment. Avoiding common farming mistakes, farmers can progress for their families’ future!
Since 2016, Sabah-based non-governmental organisation Hopes Malaysia has been actively empowering remote and rural villages in Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia, home to over 74-poverty stricken settlements. Hopes Malaysia has since helped over 8,000 villagers in rural communities via sustainable, long-term projects. The NGO has connected more than 30 kilometres of piping to bring water to rural families. With this, Hopes Malaysia has introduced over 80 rural families to 17 new types of local produce and poultry rearing, consistently harvesting 70 kilograms of fish monthly and 60 chicken eggs daily. This has improved the rural community’s food security and increased farmers’ income by 53% via selling extra produce.
