By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Jan 11: Miri Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (POKUFM) is empowering the differently abled with hydroponic farming skills—the first such programme in Miri—so that they can participate in the mainstream economy.
According to POKUFM secretary, Abdul Aziz Brahim, people living with disabilities should be afforded an opportunity to realise their potential.
“POKUFM started the project (hydroponic farming) in December 2021 with the aim of providing a supportive environment for people with disabilities at the association’s centre as employment opportunities are few (for individuals with disabilities),” he pointed out.
Abdul Aziz disclosed that the project was initially on trial basis and involved only 100 holes (hydroponic system).
“The first crops were harvested recently, and we received an overwhelming response from friends and members of the public who came here to buy the vegetables,” he said.
Profits gained via the sale of the hydroponic vegetables are being channeled back into funding the hydroponic project.
“Last week, when we sold the first harvested crops, we managed to gain around RM450, and we were astounded, because we never expected that,” said Abdul Aziz.
Following the success of the trial, Assistant Minister I for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (Tourism), Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew has also provided two more hydroponic farming sets consisting of 400 holes to the centre.
Besides growing hydroponic vegetables, the centre also plants pineapples.
A total of 1,200 pineapple plants are currently growing in the backyard of the centre which is located along Jalan Pantai here.
Earlier today, Ting visited the centre and applauded its efforts to impart hydroponic farming skills and experience to people with disabilities.
To date, POKUFM has 30 members.
In 2019, Ting via allocations under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) set aside a total of RM128,000 to help upgrade POKUFM’s building at Jalan Pantai, a year after they moved into the building.
This morning, Ting announced an allocation amounting to RM10,000 for the centre.
He also disclosed that an arrangement will be made to allocate a number of kelulut (stingless bee) sets to the centre. — DayakDaily
