PUTRAJAYA: A total of 30 government premises nationwide, including the rooftop of the Agriculture Department and Finance Ministry here, have been turned into roof gardens to plant vegetables as part of a previously launched agriculture campaign.
Agriculture Department Director-General Datuk Ahmad Zakaria Mohamad Sidek said 527 participants involved in the campaign take time to plant and care for the crops before they come to work and during their break.
“Some of the crops there were harvested and its profits were equally distributed among those who took care of them,” he told Bernama.
Ahmad Zakaria said among those planted were short harvest vegetables such as spinach, mustard greens, chives, cucumber, chili and brinjal, as well as those which did not need intensive care like lemongrass, pandan leaves, lime and a variety of herbs.
He said some were planted in pots, polystyrene containers and even other containers based on individual creativity.
“The response is good. Each participant volunteered to join, they weren’t appointed,” he said.
Ahmad Zakaria said they hoped the campaign would foster a love for farming among civil servants, which would then encourage them to continue the activity in their own home.
He said agricultural activities not only helped to overcome living costs, but also helped control the price of vegetables in the market following less demand.
“I hope more government offices will join us,” he said.
He added that the department was ready to assist any government department or agencies interested in using their premises for agricultural activities, which included providing seeds, fertilisers, light equipment and guidance. — Bernama