SEMPORNA: The community at Omadal island here can now have continuous vegetable supply farmed using hydroponic methods, courtesy of University Putra Malaysia (UPM).
Apart from UPM, the programme also involved school children and teachers, Pulau Omadal Women Association, as well as other volunteers.
Volunteer teacher at Iskul Sama DiLaut Omadal community-based school Jefry Musa said he is pleased the vegetable farming idea for the islanders has come to fruition.
He said they were taught to plant using chemical and organic fertilisers, pest control, composting as well as building reservoir racks.
"For a start, the first harvest from a set of hydroponics was 1.3 kgs of vegetables.
"It is beneficial to the community here, as the island has a shortage of land and limited access to water.
"The joint collaboration involving UPM, the industry and the local community shows that the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia at Omadal Island can be translated through implementing the 'garden above water' activity to produce fresh vegetables as their own food source," he said in a statement.
UPM has supplied five multi-storey hydroponic system units, 30 hydroponic reservoirs, fertilisers, seeds and other agricultural tools to the community.
The tiered hydroponic system is also equipped with a water pump that can operate either using electricity or solar energy.
UPM University Community Transformation Centre Professor Dr Loh Teck Chwen said rural communities need to learn to produce their own food source.
"UPM has shared knowledge that includes nine modules which are the basics of planting hydroponics, preparation of AB fertiliser solution, seed nursery method, preparation of hydroponics using tanks and bottles.
"This programme will be followed up with extended activities and continuous monitoring, both virtual and in the field, to ensure the community always feels the spirit of togetherness and as family members with UPM," he said.
The programme was sponsored by Maybank Asset Islamic Management.