15.2.2 : Sustainably farmed food on campus

MoU Exchange UTM-MARDI & World Soil Day 2024 @ ICA UTM Pagoh

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems through a strategic collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), formalized during World Soil Day 2024 at the Institute of Bioproduct Development and Innovation Centre for Agriculture (ICA) UTM Pagoh. The event underscored UTM’s proactive role in aligning research, policy, and education to advance sustainably farmed food practices on campus and beyond.

The programme addressed pressing agricultural challenges such as soil degradation, nutrient loss, and the long-term productivity of agricultural land. Through the MoU, UTM and MARDI outlined a cooperative strategy for developing sustainable soil management models, precision-based farming, and resource-efficient crop production. The collaboration includes shared data systems, academic-industry training, and soil health monitoring aligned with FAO’s global soil management standards.

This initiative models future agricultural outcomes—with and without sustainable interventions—demonstrating how improved soil stewardship and carbon-conscious farming can enhance food quality and reduce environmental impact. Monitoring and adaptive reporting mechanisms were integrated to assess soil fertility, productivity gains, and emission reductions.

By linking scientific research, campus-based demonstration farms, and national agricultural policies, UTM is building a replicable model of sustainably farmed food ecosystems, supporting Malaysia’s food security agenda and contributing directly to SDG 15.2.

Source :

https://news.utm.my/2024/12/mou-exchange-utm-mardi-world-soil-day-2024-ica-utm-pagoh/