2.5 – National hunger

2.5.2 – Events for local farmers and food producers

In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting local farmers and food producers through various community-oriented initiatives. UKM consistently provides platforms for knowledge exchange, skill enhancement and networking that strengthen local food systems and sustainable agricultural practices. In 2024, several impactful programs were organized, including the Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program “Right Diet for You” Phase 1, the Hydroponic Farming Workshop and the Urban Farming and Sustainable Living Workshop. These events conducted collaboratively with industry partners, government agencies and local communities, enabled participants to acquire practical knowledge, innovative techniques and entrepreneurial skills essential for sustainable food production and community resilience.

Summary of the programs

No	List of programs
1	Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program “Right Diet for You”
2	The Hydroponic Farming Workshop
3	The Urban Farming and Sustainable Living Workshop

1. Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program “Right Diet for You”

The Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program “Right Diet for You”, held from 9 to 22 August 2024 at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM Kuala Lumpur, was organized by H-Care UKM and sponsored by the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (SKUM). Conducted as a free program, it served as a platform for women farmers and food producers to connect, exchange ideas and share best practices in healthy food entrepreneurship. The training brought together 23 women entrepreneurs alongside community members from Garden 8 and senior citizens from the Senior Citizens Activity Center (PAWE), promoting collaboration in nutritious, cost-effective food production and preparation. Through sessions on menu planning, sustainable sourcing, food safety, digital marketing, and food styling, the program enhanced participants’ capacity for innovation and knowledge transfer in the food value chain. By empowering women to engage in sustainable food production and entrepreneurship, the initiative contributed to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and strengthened food security, income generation and community resilience through knowledge sharing and collaboration.

2. The Hydroponic Farming Workshop

The Hydroponic Farming Workshop, organized by Dato’ Onn Residential College on 24 February 2024 at the Tawau Sports Complex, was conducted in collaboration with Hydroleaf Technology and offered as a free program. Serving as a platform for local farmers and food producers to connect, exchange experiences, and transfer knowledge, the workshop introduced modern soil-less farming techniques that promote sustainable and resource-efficient agriculture. With the participation of 30 individuals, including community farmers and aspiring food producers, the program enhanced participants’ practical skills in hydroponic cultivation while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing on best practices in urban and sustainable farming. This initiative not only strengthened local agricultural networks but also empowered participants to produce fresh, chemical-free crops, supporting food security, entrepreneurship opportunities, and environmental sustainability within the community.

3. The Urban Farming and Sustainable Living Workshop

The Urban Farming and Sustainable Living Workshop Series 1, held on 3rd February 2024 at Town Park, Bandar Bukit Raja Klang, was organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences, the UKM–YSD Chair for Sustainability, Sime Darby Property, Yayasan Sime Darby, and the local community. Conducted as a free program, the workshop served as a platform for local farmers and food producers to connect, exchange experiences, and transfer knowledge on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and urban farming practices. With the participation of 70 individuals, the program strengthened collaboration between the university, industry, and community while fostering continuous learning among participants. This initiative not only improved the skills and awareness of local farmers in sustainable and resource-efficient agriculture but also encouraged the sharing of best practices that promote food self-sufficiency, healthy diets, and environmental stewardship. By empowering farmers through collective learning and community engagement, the program contributes directly to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enhancing local food security and promoting sustainable farming ecosystems.

Through these structured programs, UKM has successfully established itself as a platform for local farmers and food producers to connect, collaborate and transfer knowledge on sustainable agriculture, food innovation and environmental stewardship. Each initiative empowered participants to exchange best practices, improve productivity and foster a community-based learning ecosystem that supports food security and income generation. These efforts have significantly enhanced local agricultural capacity, strengthened university–community partnerships and contributed directly to the realization of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting inclusive access to agricultural knowledge, sustainable farming practices and resilient food systems.