PUCHONG: The government aims to create 20,000 urban farming communities around the country by the year 2020.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said to date there are around 11,000 urban farming communities around the country.
“Urban farming is a government initiative programme to ensure a complete food supply chain and beef up food security in the country,” he said after launching the ‘Program Sentuhan Kasih Tani-Pertanian Bandar 2.0.’
He said the urban farming concept would give good impact to everyone as they get to have continuous supplies for their own basic needs such as chilies, lemon, lemongrass and others.
“From my point of view urban farming can help reduce the cost of living.
“This can happen when the urban communities start to take advantage of small vacant spaces around their homes,” he said at a press conference at Sekolah Menengah Puchong Perdana here today.
“It can be done when people take advantage of small plots of land at their homes.”
Also present at the event was the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) management agency chairman Datuk Dr Satim Diman.
Shabery also urged Mardi to make Puchong as a model for urban farming communities in the country.
Seperately, Ahmad Shabery also expressed his gratitude to be named as the candidate for the Kemaman Parliament seat for the 14th general election (GE-14)
“I believe that this is my responsibility to serve not only my community in Kemaman but also the fishermen and farmers around the country.
He said the decision made by the Umno Supreme Council was based on several considerations and evaluation by the people.
“I believe that the decision is made is due to certain considerations and the people should look at a broader context as this country needs a stable government from a strong party.