THE establishment of a Green Education Centre at Padang Chempedak in north Seberang Perai district will pave the way for it to become a One Stop Centre (OSC) for urban agriculture activities in the future.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the centre would become a hub for other agriculture activities as well.
“Aside from being a research centre, there will be more workshops, which will be open to the community. They can have the chance to do their agriculture activities at the centre.
“As of now, we have chilli crops and hydroponics plants being developed here.
“All these plants produced are being sold in the markets on the mainland.
“It is an example of a smart and circular economy lauded by Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP),” he said in his speech during the launching of the centre this morning.
The centre, which was developed through a strategic partnership between MBSP together with University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Urbanest Sdn Bhd, is the first green education centre in the country.
MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said the centre was developed on the 1.4 acres of land, which focuses on digital farming and circular economy.
“This centre is a result of a strategic collaboration using a smart sharing approach.
“This centre will also benefit the people through human capital development in producing Training of Trainers (ToT) for composting, community gardening, upcycle and urban agriculture through various methodologies,” he said.
Also present during the launching were Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his consort Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor, UPSI deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Datuk Seri Rohani Abdullah, MBSP councillors and other distinguished guests.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar