2.5.1 Access to food security knowledge

UTM, Forest Fine Foods jalin kerjasama pertingkat pelestarian pertanian

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) provided direct access to specialized knowledge and practical skills in sustainable agriculture to local food producers. This community engagement initiative, "Program Inovasi Sumber Bahan Tempatan Untuk Pemakanan Ternakan," was a hands-on workshop organized by UTM's Kolej Tun Hussein Onn (KTHO) specifically to "membantu komuniti penternak" (help the livestock farmer community) in Benut, Pontian.

This program provided direct access to:

• Knowledge: The initiative was structured as a "bengkel" (workshop) to "menambah ilmu pengetahuan berkaitan pemakanan ternakan" (increase knowledge related to livestock feed). A UTM lecturer from the Faculty of Science served as the speaker, delivering specialized information to 25 local livestock farmers to help them improve the quality of their livestock through sustainable feed practices.

• Skills & Technology: The program's core was skills transfer. It included "sesi praktikal" (practical sessions) and "sesi demonstrasi" (demonstration sessions). The 25 participating farmers were practically trained in the production methods for sustainable livestock feeds, specifically "Urea Molasses Block" and "silaj" (silage). The silage produced during the workshop was given directly to the farmers to apply to their own livestock.

This program directly equipped local food producers (farmers) with the necessary knowledge and hands-on skills to utilize innovative, sustainable local resources for livestock feed, thereby enhancing their agricultural sustainability and food security outcomes.

Source : https://news.utm.my/2024/01/utm-forest-fine-foods-jalin-kerjasama-pertingkat-pelestarian-pertanian/ 

Access to food security knowledge (Free)

Knowledge and Technology Transfer on Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Tangkak District Farmers and Food Producers

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) provided free access to specialized knowledge, skills, and technology in sustainable agriculture to local farmers and food producers in the Tangkak District. The initiative was conducted as a "pemindahan ilmu dan teknologi" (knowledge and technology transfer) program, confirming its free provision to the community.

This community engagement program, run in collaboration with the Tangkak District Agriculture Office and UTM's Faculty of Science, directly provided access to:

1. Knowledge: The program was delivered as a "Kursus Amalan Pertanian Lestari" (Sustainable Agricultural Practices Course). This course provided essential knowledge on "Amalan Pertanian Baik" (Good Agricultural Practices) to "peladang dan pembekal hasil pertanian" (farmers and agricultural suppliers). The objective was to educate the community on the importance of healthy nutrition derived from sustainable farming methods.

2. Skills & Technology: Participants were given direct training and skills in modern sustainable technologies. The course specifically focused on skills related to "Penggunaan Teknologi Fertigasi dan Baja Organik" (The Use of Fertigation Technology and Organic Fertilizer), equipping local farmers with practical, sustainable farming techniques.

This program, offered at no cost to participants, directly empowered local farmers and food producers with the crucial knowledge and technical skills to adopt sustainable practices. The ultimate stated goal was to "membantu meningkatkan ekonomi mereka" (help improve their economy) and "mencapai kelestarian di dalam bidang pertanian" (achieve sustainability in the agricultural sector).

Source : https://news.utm.my/2023/10/utm-kongsi-amalan-pertanian-baik-dengan-komuniti-daerah-tangkak/

Access to food security knowledge (Paid)

“Train with MJARC”: Back to Nature and Sustainable Agriculture Program

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) provided paid access to specialized knowledge, skills, and technology in sustainable agriculture to the local community. The program, "Kursus Teknologi Penanaman Cendawan & Pertanian Bandar" (Mushroom Cultivation Technology & Urban Farming Course), was organized by UTM's Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) through its Agrotechnology and Food-Security Research Core (MJARC) on 11-12 March 2023.

This initiative was structured as a paid course, providing a formal training opportunity for the public. A fee of "yuran sebanyak RM250.00 telah dikenakan" (a fee of RM250.00 was charged) to participants.

The program provided direct access to:

1. Knowledge: The course delivered theoretical and practical knowledge on sustainable urban agriculture and food security. Participants were trained in "kaedah penanaman sayuran secara hidroponik dan fertigasi" (vegetable cultivation methods via hydroponics and fertigation) and "teknologi penanaman cendawan" (mushroom cultivation technology).

2. Skills & Technology: The program included a "bengkel praktikal" (practical workshop) where participants acquired hands-on skills. This included the practical application of technology, such as "pemasangan sistem hidroponik" (installing hydroponic systems), "penyediaan media tanaman" (preparing planting media), and "penyediaan beg bongkah cendawan" (preparing mushroom fruiting bags).

This paid training program directly equipped the local community, including potential food producers, with the technical knowledge and practical skills to implement sustainable farming technologies. The initiative was explicitly designed to "memupuk kesedaran" (foster awareness) and enable participants to "menjana pendapatan sampingan" (generate side income), thereby contributing to local food security and sustainable economic activity.

Source : https://news.utm.my/2023/04/train-with-mjarc-back-to-nature-and-sustainable-agriculture-program/