By Norrasyidah Arshad
SIJANGKANG, Oct 26 — Nine community gardens in Kuala Langat and Sepang have been allocated RM45,000 in assistance for agricultural tools, in order to make it easier for residents to carry out their farming activities.
State exco for agro-based industry Izham Hashim said the aid will go to the gardens under the Kuala Langat Municipal Council at Taman Dato’ Hormat 1, Taman Dato’ Hormat 2, Padang Bola Taman Langat Utama 3, and Kebun Komuniti Pearl Villa.
The five other gardens under the Sepang Municipal Council include Desa Pinggiran Putra Jalan Dua, Pangsapuri Baiduri Court, Taman Seroja, Taman Ixora, and La Cottage.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we need the support and contributions from community gardens, to ensure food security.
“At present, many are applying to form gardens. So we will continue this aid, and look after the food supply as well as increase economic productivity and local needs,” he said after handing over seeds, compost fertiliser, wheelbarrows, and polyvinyl chloride pipes to the gardens’ representatives.
Izham added that he also provided agricultural advice asides from introducing eco-friendly equipment so that communities can produce quality crops.
“Before the pandemic hit, community gardens contributed 46 tonnes of agricultural output, we want to increase it so as to reduce the dependency on imports,” he said.
Earlier on October 8, Izham announced that RM250,000 would be allocated to develop 50 community gardens in each local authority.