Abang Johari (third right) admires the banner at the event’s launch as Osman (second right) and others look on.
KUCHING: Urban dwellers can plant vegetables and edible plants in the compounds of their homes as a way to reduce their grocery bills.
This suggestion came from Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg who said there should not be any question on the benefits, so people should not limit themselves to planting for the purpose of landscaping only.
“We should change our perception by planting vegetables or other edible plants in our compounds.”
Abang Johari was speaking at the Urban Agriculture Programme for Kuching District at Dewan SK Merpati Jepang here yesterday.
He said this planting programme promoted by the Agricultural Department could help absorb the rising cost of daily necessities.
Earlier, Kuching Agricultural Department representative Osman Hamdan said the programme provided seeds, fertilisers and the necessary information to interested participants.
“The public are getting more aware of what they eat and the type of fertilisers used,” Osman said.
He figured that if one resident can produce at least 1 kg of produce, 10,000 residents means 10 tonnes to reduce the need to import and reduce the cost of living.
He said the department aims for 46 individuals, two communities and three institutions to participate in the programme this year.
The programme which comprises individual planting, community planting and institutional planting is open to all Malaysians living in cities.