“AGROECOLOGY FOR ALL: Initiatives in Malaysia” – COMMUNITY GARDEN
KAMPUNG GOMBAK UTARA
The Thriving Community Garden of Suburban Residents
The sound of water splashing through rocks and pebbles in the pristine river at Batu 9, north of Gombak, and the greenery that adorns the fringe of the river, offer a spectacular view to passers-by. Kampung Gombak Utara is about 10 kilometres to the northeast of Kuala Lumpur.
The Kebun Komuniti Gombak Utara (KKGU), the edible garden along the river at Gombak, Selangor, is a flourishing community endeavour that cares for the environment and sustainability.
Nor Azmina and Zainuddin Yahya, who have been leading the group, said they and a few friends initiated the community garden in the year 2019. At present, they have 32 members. Puan Noriah Bt Idris who is in her 60s is committed to the cause and has significantly contributed to the growth of KKGU into what it is today.
Other members contribute in their own unique ways. Together, they work diligently to clean the river, create vegetable plots and enhance its terrain with natural flora while retaining its fauna.
Currently, a variety of vegetables, flower plants and herbs adorn the garden. Some vegetables are ready for harvest as a result of the combined efforts of the members and communities. Saturday is a day for them to sell some of their vegetables and herbs at the local market.
“Before we came into action, the area was filled with all types of garbage thrown by residents and also industrial waste. If a place is garbage filled for a long period of time, the community around it assumes it as a licence to continue throwing.
“Now that the river has been continuously cleaned, they think twice before dumping anything,” says Nor Azmina, who has been instrumental in the proliferation of sustainable activities in the area.
Previously, this area was also a lounging ground for drug addicts. As the garden has turned into a hub of activity, the drug addicts have disappeared for good.
“As this area is an abode of wildlife, we make sure our activity does not, in any manner, lead to their extinction. For example, in the early stages of planting, wild boar destroyed our plants. Bearing in mind that we are the actual intruders into their habitat, we sought an amicable way of protecting our plants.
“We came to know that the smell of the Turnera plant (Turnera subulata) repels wild boars. Therefore, we planted them a lot in our garden. Turnera is easily grown and reaches a height of 30 inches.
“We collaborate with students, lecturers and administrators from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) and are now working on ways to increase funding and diversify our activities, especially through sustainable technology.
“We also received helping hands from other parties, including the state government and its agencies, NGOs, the Village Community Management Council (MPKK), and Politeknik Metro Kuala Lumpur.
“We were well guided in our organic farming activities by the Agriculture Department and also by Encik Hud Sulaiman, owing to his vast experience of helming the Malaysian Institute of Sustainable Agriculture (MISA),” said Zainuddin.