UTM Lecturers Lead APPGM-SDG Food Security Project

Dr. Fariza Hanim Suhailin

GELANG PATAH, Sept 2 – Lecturers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) are partnering with Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah, Johor (Iskandar Puteri parliamentary constituency, P162) to deliver the Kebun Hidroponik Berkuasa Solar community project, funded with RM40,000 under the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM)-SDG grant. Running over ten months and concluding on 31 January 2026, the initiative will establish a solar-powered, space-efficient hydroponic garden and train 10 local participants (aged 35–50) to grow leafy vegetables, such as water spinach, bok choy, and coral lettuce, inside a greenhouse. The project aims to transfer agricultural knowledge from educational institutions and agencies to the school community, strengthen community ties through a community garden, promote simple, space-appropriate hydroponic cultivation, implement an energy-saving solar-powered hydroponic system, and generate income for pupils and the surrounding community. The project was officiated on 2 September 2025 by Siti Nor Raya Abdul Rahim, STEM Coordinator, District Education Office (PPD) Johor Bahru.

UTM academics, alongside participants from among school teachers and PIBG members.

The project’s training is led by a UTM academic teams from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE). Academics from the Faculty of Science, which are Dr. Raihana Ridzuan, Bioscience Department; Ts. Dr. Fariza Hanim Suhailin, Physics Department; and Dr. Siti Mariam Norrulashikin, Mathematics Department; together from the FKE, which are Dr. Razman Ayob and Ts. Dr. Nur Ayeesha Qisteena Muzir, Department of Electrical Power Engineering; and Dr Muhammad Amin Abd Wahab, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Health Science. Their roles are formalized as module speakers across few sessions, alongside consultant expert, to ensure strong hands-on (practical) and guidance for participants and the school community.

Posters for module talks delivered by UTM academics.

The project is divided into two phases, which as active phase (4 months) and monitoring phase (6 months). The first phase, which concluded in August 2025, featured a six-module series talks, entitle Tenaga Hijau dalam Pertanian (Talk 1), Asas Hidroponik & Komponen Sistem (Talk 2), Elektrik Solar di Malaysia & Jenis Sistem (Talk 3), Reka Bentuk & Penyelenggaraan Sistem Solar (Talk 4), Hidroponik Pintar (Talk 5) and Penuaian & Pemasaran (Talk 6). These sessions were complemented by hands-on activities, including installation of the solar-hydroponic system, seedling propagation, and the first harvest.

For sustainability, the project adopts a train-the-trainer pathway, where participants mentor teachers, and teachers mentor student eco-clubs, so that the skills stay within the school. During the 6 months monitoring phase, the team will run multiple growing cycles while tracking key indicators such as germination rate, time-to-harvest, yield per cycle, nutrient EC/pH stability, and basic solar system performance (pump uptime, battery voltage). Monthly check-ins include refresher clinics on pest and disease management, nutrient mixing, equipment maintenance, and safe handling/packaging. A simple production-and-sales logbook will be kept by student leaders and verified by teachers, and photo records will document each harvest. Revenue from produce, will be pooled into a revolving fund to buy seeds, nutrients, and replacement parts, ensuring the garden operates beyond the grant period. The school will also trial small go-to-market channels (canteen use, teacher/staff sales, nearby community) and publish brief progress updates to maintain community buy-in.

UTM academics and community before the first harvest at the end of active phase

Ultimately, the initiative advances Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) through resource-efficient, solar-powered urban agriculture that lowers operating costs, boosts household nutrition, and creates micro-enterprise opportunities from fresh produce sales. It also contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) by demonstrating practical solar adoption at school level, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) via precise nutrient use and waste minimisation, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through reduced grid dependence and a smaller carbon footprint. With clear KPIs yield per cycle, income generated, and the number of trained participants, the model is designed for replication across other schools and constituencies under APPGM-SDG. By embedding skills within teachers and students, the project leaves a durable capability that continues to deliver food, income, and climate co-benefits long after the grant period.