The community at Omadal island here can now have a continuous vegetable supply farmed using hydroponic methods, thanks to University Putra Malaysia (UPM). Apart from UPM, the program also involved school children and teachers, Pulau Omadal Women Association, as well as other volunteers.
Volunteer teacher at Iskul Sama DiLaut Omadal community-based school Jefry Musa said he is pleased the vegetable farming idea for the islanders has come to fruition.
"For a start, the first harvest from a set of hydroponics was 1.3 kgs of vegetables. It is beneficial to the community here, as the island has a shortage of land and limited access to water.
"The joint collaboration involving UPM, the industry, and the local community shows that the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia at Omadal Island can be translated through implementing the 'garden above water' activity to produce fresh vegetables as their own food source," he said in a statement.
UPM has supplied five multi-story hydroponic system units, 30 hydroponic reservoirs, fertilizers, seeds, and other agricultural tools to the community. The tiered hydroponic system is also equipped with a water pump that can operate either using electricity or solar energy.
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