GEORGE TOWN – Penang folk have shown a greater interest in acquiring urban gardening skills following movement restrictions triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
More people are now keen to learn about urban farming, and this augurs well for the greenery initiative, said Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) senior research officer Mageswari Sangaralingam.
With more people confined indoors in the past year, she told The Vibes, there is a desire to green their homes.
Urban gardening has become one of the most popular CAP initiatives.
“We see more people calling our offices to inquire about fertilisers and seeds, as well as techniques for urban farming. We have an overwhelming load of queries, that we have had to spread out the attendance at our workshops,” said Mageswari.
The group embarked on the urban gardening initiative a few years ago, in view of the increasing cost of living.
The practice, which is already popular in many countries, is picking up in Malaysia.
“Land scarcity is made an excuse for urban dwellers not to grow their own vegetables,” said Mageswari.
“CAP has launched a demonstration garden on its premises, where various methods and techniques have been set up as examples.”
There is also a vertical garden model for those living in high-rises.
This year, said Mageswari, CAP will conduct monthly workshops for those keen to pick up urban gardening.
More information is available on the association’s website and Facebook page. – The Vibes, January 3, 2021
