Selangor Journal
Fresh Growcer rooftop organic farm at 1Utama shopping mall in Petaling Jaya. — Picture via FACEBOOK/FRESH GROWCER

Organic vegetables ripe for the plucking on 1Utama’s rooftop

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Having a background in the food industry did not prevent entrepreneur Emil Jihad, 32, from venturing into organic farming.

More interestingly, his smart greenhouse cultivation uses an aquaponic system (a combination of fish and vegetable farming) on ​​the roof of shopping mall 1 Utama in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, which covers an area of ​​about 7,000 square feet.

Apart from this, the vegetable garden called Fresh Growcer (1 Utama Rooftop Farm) provides an experience for customers as they can self-pick the produce.

Recently, Emil told Bernama that since he and partner Tony Yong, 52, began this venture in March, they practised the concept of sustainable agriculture to produce crops that are safer to consume.

He said the use of pesticides in vegetable cultivation is feared to be harmful to health and that although many vegetables sold in the market are said to be free of pesticides, some still doubt this.

“Here (at Growcer), customers can come and see for themselves that the water system used for crops is shared with fish farms and the fish waste provides a natural source of organic food for vegetables.

“If pesticides or chemical fertilisers are used, the fish will die and this will decrease the nutrients to the vegetables cultivated,” he said, adding that the greenhouse also maximises savings such as with the use of 100 per cent sunlight, and exhaust fans for ventilation.

Fresh Growcer rooftop organic farm at 1Utama shopping mall in Petaling Jaya. — Picture via FACEBOOK/FRESH GROWCER

Emil said they chose the mall’s rooftop for their vegetable garden because the shopping centre was strategically located and this makes it easier for urbanites to get a supply of fresh vegetables quickly as well as experience the garden environment more closely.

He admitted that there were challenges in organic vegetable cultivation as organic crops require more care than conventional crops and he needs to ensure supply to continuously meet customer demand.

“The average growth rate of vegetables to reach maturity is 35 days. Until today we are able to meet the demand for vegetables, and the vegetables of choice will be given priority in terms of the number of crops compared to other vegetables,” he said.

Emil, who had lived in New York and returned to Malaysia about five years ago, said he grows a variety of vegetables including red spinach, different types of mustard leaves, Italian basil and cili padi, in addition to rearing tilapia fish and selling organic fruits that are brought from villages.

He hopes to increase the type of vegetables from what is being offered now and wants to make it a reference centre for institutions as well as students who are interested in learning physically about organic farming efforts done here.

Meanwhile, customer Nazli Idrus, 40, from Taman Tun Dr Ismail said he learnt about the organic farm through friends on social media.

“Although the vegetables sold here are at slightly premium prices, they are worth it because we can pluck the vegetables ourselves and I believe they are healthier for us and the environment as they are free from any chemicals,” he added.

— Bernama

 

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