Association administrator Noreder Abdul Muti said the initiative, carried out under its urban farming programme, began in July 2022 with just one hydroponic system consisting of 40 pots contributed by the Perak agriculture department.
“At first, we only planted lettuce, and it involved just five participants. The idea was simply to fill their free time, but it sparked deep interest among them.
“They were excited and felt appreciated, especially when they saw their plants thriving, which prompted us to expand the project,” she told Bernama.
Their dedication soon drew attention and support from outside parties, with the donation of a greenhouse in March last year allowing the project to grow on a larger scale.
“When the greenhouse was completed, the number of participants increased from five to 10. We now have over 1,200 pots cultivating different vegetables, including lettuce, sawi, kangkung and kailan,” Noreder said.
“The participants come here every day from 8am to 11am, supervised by six instructors who guide them and assign tasks.”
She noted that the participants’ discipline and willingness to follow instructions were key factors in ensuring smooth daily operations at the hydroponic site.
“While they are not like (abled persons), once you learn to understand them, it really isn’t a problem,” she added.
“Every month, we harvest our crops. That’s the advantage of hydroponic farming: it doesn’t take too long. For example, kangkung can be harvested in 22 days, while sawi takes about 40 days.”
The vegetables are sold to nearby residents and caregivers for persons with disabilities. Proceeds are used to purchase farming supplies and provide allowances for the participants.
While waiting for the next harvest, they continue planting new seeds so the work cycle continues.
Noreder stressed that the project’s main goal is to help the participants develop self-reliance skills while familiarising them with structured work routines similar to those in real employment settings.
One of them, Mohd Hamzah Zakaria, said his interest in agriculture began when he was a student, but he never expected to be involved in farming in such a manner.
“I used to learn about it in school, but now I can actually do it and see the yields,” the 25-year-old shared, adding that seeing his vegetables grow gives him a sense of satisfaction and motivation.
Noreder highlighted that modern hydroponic farming is simpler and requires less maintenance compared to traditional methods, making it ideal for training disabled participants.
“With ongoing support, I truly believe that one day, these participants can become independent modern farmers earning their own income,” she concluded.