Malaysia's tropical climate - with year round sunshine, high humidity, and occasional heavy rainfall - makes it ideal for protected agriculture. So, instead for letting wild grass to flourish at the backyard of our house, we decided to venture on home farming that offers both economic and lifestyle benefits. One pot, one plot and a handful of seeds - from village compounds to modest terraces and even high rise homes. Malaysians are discovering that farming no longer belongs to vast plantation land owners or rural farmers. A strong coordination among family members is needed to create eco-friendly farming.
I remember my late brother-in-law, Allahyarham Haji Abdul Latif Ishak, (Al-Fatihah [read] and may his soul rest in peace) a former Director of Malaysian Helicopter, began as a simple activity to pass time upon retirement that turned into a fulfilling daily routine. “There is a lot of land around my younger sister, Zarina's house at our village, and with her agreement, I started planting figs, lemon & sacha inchi fruits for family consumption & sell the surplus.”
He added, “Daily farming routine is simple but consistent - watering, checking the soil conditions and tending to the crops. Farming teaches me discipline. I must be patient and consistent. Some days I see results, some days I don't, but I keep on going. I started small, observe and improve it along the way.”
Another retiree, former Police Sargent Hamdan, began home farming upon his retirement last year, driven by the desire for healthier food and a close connection to nature. He revealed, “I started with a small garden in-front of my house. It helps me be healthier, stay close to nature and save money on vegetables & groceries."
I realized home farming lowers grocery bills, provides immediate access to fresh, pesticide-free produce, and ensures food security by decentralizing our supply. It provides physical exercise, significantly reduces carbon footprint by eliminating food miles, and promotes mental well-being by relieving stress.
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