With the prices of vegetables and greens skyrocketing in recent months, it is a much welcomed move to encourage and carry out urban farming.
Penang State Exco for Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning, Jagdeep Singh Deo launched such an initiative to further intensify “Community Gardens”.
The ceremony held at York Road also saw the presentation of hydroponic sets and gardening equipment to be distributed to residents in the vicinity.
“Community farming can serve as a hobby and be carried out in a leisurely manner to support the needs of the family and also complement the family’s income.
“This initiative also encourages the growth of fresh vegetables which are safe and good for residents. “The project will also help maximize the use of plots of land and open spaces around the vicinity,” said Jagdeep.
There are some 36 urban farming communities in the state todate.
He also urged for the federal government to support such projects with allocations.
“This project will also help produce more oxygen. In the meantime, the Penang Island City Council has planted some 97,981 trees from 2018 till November 2021. The Seberang Perai City Council had planted 61,779 trees for this period.
Overall some 470,050 trees have been planted in the state. We are committed to plant more trees by 2030,” he added.
Jagdeep had set a new target of 600,000 trees to be planted for both councils to be met by 2030 in line with the Penang Green Agenda.