Local authorities (PBTs) in Selangor have been urged to identify vacant pilot plots and reserve land that can be used for urban farming, while preventing such areas from being taken over by foreign nationals.
Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the identified land could subsequently be applied for lease and used for community gardens, agricultural programmes or projects carried out by interested private companies.
He said the move would not only ensure vacant land in urban areas was managed in a more organised manner, but could also generate income through high-value agricultural activities.
“The state government has instructed PBTs to identify pilot plots and apply for leases so they can be used for community gardens, agricultural programmes or by interested private parties.
“This also includes the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS), which can implement agricultural programmes to ensure the land is used in a more organised and systematic manner,” he said during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Izham was responding to a supplementary question from Muhamad Izuan Ahmad Kasim (PH-Kota Damansara), who proposed that vacant pilot plots be allocated to PKPS for programmes similar to the People’s Income Initiative (IPR), while preventing the areas from being dominated by foreign nationals.
The proposal came amid claims that some vegetable supplies for the Selayang Wholesale Market were sourced from foreign nationals involved in farming activities on pilot plots.
Izham said several local authorities, including Petaling Jaya, had already implemented similar programmes in stages.
He added that pilot areas, particularly in Johan Setia, Klang, had significant potential as vegetable production sites and could be further developed.
“This is part of our agenda to improve the use of land in urban areas. Although the plots may be small, they can produce high-value agricultural products, and we have already successfully implemented this approach,” he said.
The state government also provides assistance of up to RM5,000 for each community garden project through agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, seeds, fish fry and farming equipment.
Izham added that the IPR project, a collaboration between the state government and the Ministry of Economy, had entered its fifth season, involving two cucumber planting cycles and two chilli harvests during its implementation.
