29-07-2025
Sowing seeds of sustainability in PJ
Mohd Fauzi (third from right) launching Organic Day in SS2 Petaling Jaya with Rajiv (on his right) and others from MBPJ. — Photos: KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
Petaling Jaya City Council's (MBPJ) Organic Day brought together residents, organic farmers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with the aim of promoting greener lifestyles and sustainable food systems.
Stalls were set up across the SS2 Petaling Jaya basketball court and adjacent field where visitors had the opportunity to sample local vegetables and fruits as well as health products.
A Bukit Tinggi farmer, who only wanted to be known as Magendiran, told StarMetro that he was at the event to sell his produce as well as teach others how to use natural fertiliser in their home gardens.
He left the food and beverage industry 22 years ago to run a 4ha farm in Pahang.
He said that his cows were fully grass-fed and all his produce was grown using cow dung as fertiliser without any synthetic products.
Visitors to the Smart Waste Solution Lab being shown how food scraps are ground.
It was organised by the MBPJ Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Department in collaboration with Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (Cetdem).
One of the highlights was the Smart Waste Solution Lab. It is a working compost site and public education hub that turns food waste into fertiliser.
Visitors were shown how food scraps were ground before being placed in sealed bins to ferment over three months.
The first 50 visitors to the lab were also given compost liquid fertiliser and free saplings.
Cetdem hosted talks and conducted hands-on demonstrations of sustainable practices that could be adopted at home.
Visitors shopping for fresh produce at the event.
It also showed visitors water-efficient planting systems and natural pest control methods without the use of chemicals.
The event was launched by MBPJ deputy secretary (management) Mohd Fauzi Maarop.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran, who was present, said although public awareness of organic produce was growing, many still overlooked where and how their food was sourced.
'Events like this are gradually raising awareness and also show how healthy food can be both enjoyable and affordable.
'The organisers' consistent efforts reflect a genuine dedication to public service,' he said.
