BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO

These setups may seem small, but in Klang Valley, they represent a strategic effort to tackle food insecurity, rising costs, and vulnerabilities in Malaysia’ s urban food system.

As food security and sustainability become growing concerns for city dwellers, the country is witnessing a shift toward urban farming, led not by seasoned farmers but by a new generation of agropreneurs.

INVESTING IN YOUTH

Behind some of these efforts is the Youth Agropreneur Programme, a government initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security( KPKM) aimed at encouraging young Malaysians to explore agribusiness.

The programme has registered roughly 4,937 participants in its eYouth system, but only 37 agropreneurs are actively monitored in the Klang Valley region, including Kuala Lumpur. These young operators have experienced measurable improvements in production output and revenue following the receipt of structured support.

“ Urban youth face real challenges when it comes to starting agricultural ventures,” said Abu Bakr Mohd Hanim, deputy director of the Youth Agropreneur Programme at the Centre for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneur Development.

“ Access to land is limited, and capital is often a major barrier. That’ s why our programme provides a combination of technical training, financial support, and continuous consultation to help them succeed.”

Among the core offerings is AGORA, a technical training programme that exposes participants to essential agricultural knowledge, including urban farming systems. In tandem, the RMK12 Project provides holistic support- from product analysis and factory layout consultations to exhibition participation and on-site monitoring.

For eligible participants, the Geran Agropreneur Muda( GAM) offers up to RM30,000 in in-kind support, allowing young farmers to purchase machinery, tools, or raw materials.

This support is especially critical in Kuala Lumpur, where the cost of land, equipment, and distribution can make or break a budding enterprise. Urban farming projects in the city- from rooftop farms in Sentul to hydroponic towers in schools- often rely on precision agriculture and sustainable methods to thrive in limited spaces.

“ Many of our youth are using modern systems like vertical farming, aquaponics, and even plant

factory setups to grow vegetables and herbs.

“ Our training ensures that they not only understand these technologies but also use them in ways that support climate-smart agriculture,” said Abu Bakr.

CHALLENGES AND GAPS

The bigger picture, however, is food security. In 2023, Malaysia imported approximately RM78.79 billion worth of food products, up from RM75.62 billion in the previous year.

Urban farming, however, offers a localised solution by shortening supply chains and making fresh produce more accessible and affordable in high-density areas. For low-income communities in Kuala Lumpur, particularly in areas with limited access to fresh food, these small farms can have a significant impact.

A 2023 report by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation( FAO) noted that urban farming could contribute up to 20 per cent of a city’ s food supply when supported by policy and infrastructure. While Malaysia has yet to reach that figure, the seeds are being planted- quite literally- through inter-agency collaborations.

MARDI, for instance, collaborates with other KPKM departments to provide agropreneurs with access to model farms, tech incubators, and test bed facilities, enabling them to scale their production in a controlled environment.

Still, not every initiative has gone

according to plan.

A previous effort involving MAG Artisan Grocer, a retail platform to market agropreneur products in urban centres, was discontinued due to poor performance. The experience, however, reinforced the need for robust partnerships and better market access strategies, especially in competitive urban spaces.

He explained:“ Even though that project ended, we’ ve continued to explore other channels to help our youth connect with consumers.

“ Whether through pop-up markets, exhibitions, or contract farming, the goal is to make their business sustainable.”

GROWING WITH PURPOSE

Urban farming in Kuala Lumpur is no longer a peripheral initiative; it’ s playing a significant role in Malaysia’ s food security agenda. With continued training, access to capital, and infrastructure, youth agropreneurs can become part of a broader solution to reduce reliance on imports, improve affordability, and increase local resilience.

Abu Bakr warned:“ Grants help, but if you give youth money with no structured mentoring, they’ ll follow theory. When theory fails, so does the business.”

Though the road ahead is challenging, programmes like these offer proof that with the proper support, young Malaysians can be agents of change in the country’ s urban food systems.- @ AGROBiz