By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Dec 6: Modern farming methods allow farming to be done without a “farm”.
Sunrich Awesome (Kch) Sdn Bhd has proven it possible to produce more than 300kg of fresh vegetables on a monthly basis without a traditional farm.
The success story has drawn Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah to visit the ‘urban farm’ yesterday.
The farm leverages on a modern hydroponic system and is in a double-storey industrial lot in Sejingat.
It started operations in January last year, and the ‘farm’ cultivates 17 types of green salad, eight local vegetables, eight kinds of herbs and five micro-greens.
It has also successfully cultivated cherry tomatoes and Japanese cucumber in the outdoor tower system. On trial are the planting of zucchini, and green and red bell peppers.
According to one of its directors, Simon Yeo, the farm has a daily production of 10.41kg and a monthly production of 322.67kg.
“Our products are sold to all leading supermarkets and restaurants in the city,” he said.
In line with the Sarawak government’s vision to make the state a net food exporter by 2030, the company is planning to expand. To reduce cost, the company is also planning to set up outdoor hydroponic greenhouses.
Showing Uggah, who is also the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, around was its executive chairperson Lina Ding.
Present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, Agriculture Department acting director Dr Alyvin Chai and Dr Richard Rapu, a political secretary to the Chief Minister. — DayakDaily
