15.2 – Supporting Land Ecosystems Through Education

15.2.5 – Sustainable Management of Land for Agriculture and Tourism (Educational Outreach)

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) plays a leading role in promoting sustainable land management and responsible agricultural practices through its educational programs and community outreach initiatives. In alignment with the UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, the university integrates sustainability education into both research and community development activities to strengthen awareness and capacity among local and national stakeholders. These initiatives focus on empowering communities to utilize land sustainably for agricultural productivity, food security and eco-tourism, while ensuring environmental conservation and long-term resilience.

UKM’s efforts, demonstrated through initiatives such as the One-Day Camp: Skuad Palma Emas, Sustainable Living Workshop, Fertigated Chili Cultivation Program and Mad4PalmOil Hackathon 2024, bridge scientific knowledge, innovation, and practical training. These programs educate participants on sustainable farming, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation, equipping them with the tools and mindset needed to balance economic development with ecological integrity.

UKM Education Sustainable Management of Land for Agriculture and Tourism Programs

No	UKM Education Sustainable Management of Land for Agriculture and Tourism Programs
1	One-Day Camp: Skuad Palma Emas
2	Sustainable Living Workshop: Community Education
3	Fertigated Chili Cultivation Program
4	The Mad4palmoil Hackathon 2024

1. One-Day Camp: Skuad Palma Emas

On 1 January 2024, a total of 75 primary school students participated in the One-Day Camp: Skuad Palma Emas 2023, which was recently held at the Forest Education Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The camp was conducted based on the Biodiversity of the Oil Palm Ecosystem Module and Activity Book, written by lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), UKM. Organized by UKM-YSD Sustainability Chair, the Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, the Center for Insect Systematics (FST), and the Institute of Climate Change (IPI), this program supported four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Ensuring quality and interactive education.
• SDG 13: Raising awareness about climate change.
• SDG 15: Exploring terrestrial life through oil palm plantation activities.
• SDG 17: Showcasing collaboration among various stakeholders to achieve sustainable development.

The participants, aged 8 to 12 years old, were guided by 16 facilitators consisting of third-year Biology students from FST. Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to explore an oil palm plantation and discover the biodiversity within the oil palm ecosystem. Each group was tasked with capturing insects and collecting plant specimens from around the plantation. This activity allowed the students to directly experience and engage with the oil palm environment.

Additionally, all participants created their own herbarium collections and preserved insect specimens gathered from the plantation. Various insects were collected, including beetles, grasshoppers, ants, termites, butterflies, moths, and crickets. Participants also had the chance to make bookmark crafts using pressed plant materials as a keepsake from the program.

The camp also introduced participants to the impacts of climate change through carbon footprint tracking and life cycle assessment (LCA) activities, conducted by facilitators from the Tropical Climate Change Center (IKLIM), IPI. These activities aimed to raise awareness about how daily human consumption contributes to carbon emissions, leading to global temperature rise and climate change. During the program, an exhibition was also held, featuring various palm oil products, including food products and recycled materials derived from oil palm waste.

Source: www.ukm.my/beritaukm/57-pelajar-sekolah-rendah-sertai-kem-sehari-skuad-palma-emas-2023/

2. Sustainable Living Workshop: Community Education

To deepen awareness of environmental sustainability, the UKM-YSD Sustainability Chair, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FKAB), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Sime Darby Property have organized several programs for the residents of Bandar Bukit Raja (BBR), Klang. These programs include the Urban Agriculture Program and three series of the Sustainable Living Workshop.

The first series, themed “The Benefits of Urban Agriculture for Personal Health,” emphasized the importance of a healthy diet and sustainable urban farming. The second series, “Household Organic Waste Management,” focused on simple ways to manage household organic waste. Topics covered included Easy Waste Separation Techniques, Biogas and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Technology for Food Waste Recycling, and a demonstration on producing Effective Microorganisms (EM) from household fruit waste to enhance agricultural benefits. In this session, BBR residents collected used cooking oil for recycling.

The third series, “Non-Organic Household Waste Recycling,” explored the Potential for Household Recycling, Reuse and Recycling of Plastics, and 3D Printing Technology. Participants learned creative ways to recycle plastic bottles and old clothes as a better waste management initiative at home. During the third workshop, a total of 957.5 kilograms of used cooking oil, cardboard, metal, plastic, and electronic items were successfully collected for recycling.

Source:www.ukm.my/beritaukm/

3. Fertigated Chili Cultivation Program

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) demonstrates its commitment to sustainable land management in agriculture and community development through educational and empowerment programs that promote responsible land use and economic resilience. One notable example is the Fertigated Chili Cultivation Program, funded by the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) in collaboration with Taman Botani Bangi. This initiative focuses on empowering single mothers and housewives by equipping them with knowledge and practical skills in sustainable agriculture. Through the use of fertigation systems, participants learn modern, water-efficient farming techniques that enhance productivity while conserving natural resources.

A total of 10 participants selected based on household income, type of residence, and family size benefited from this program. Beyond agricultural training, the initiative aims to build self-reliance, create sustainable income sources, and foster a positive environment for personal growth. This initiative reflects UKM’s educational role in promoting sustainable land management for agricultural purposes, supporting community-based agritourism potential, and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2: Zero Hunger) and SDG 15: Life on Land).

Source: www.hmetro.com.my/WM/2024/05/1090841/tanam-cili-sistem-fertigasi 

4. The Mad4palmoil Hackathon 2024

The Mad4PalmOil Hackathon 2024 is an innovation-driven competition aimed at promoting sustainability within the palm oil industry through creative and data-based solutions. The program encourages participation from university students, researchers, and young innovators to develop practical ideas that address challenges in sustainable palm oil production, land management, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration, participants explore ways to enhance transparency, reduce environmental impact, and promote responsible land utilisation in palm oil supply chains. The hackathon also serves as an educational platform for raising awareness about sustainable agricultural practices and aligns with UKM’s commitment to advancing sustainability education, green innovation, and community engagement under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15: Life on Land.

Source: www.facebook.com/events/ 

Through its wide-ranging educational and outreach programs, UKM has established itself as a national catalyst for sustainable agriculture and responsible land utilization. By engaging youth, local communities and industry stakeholders, the university has empowered participants to adopt modern, water-efficient farming systems, develop eco-friendly agricultural products and apply innovative solutions for sustainable palm oil production and waste reduction.

These efforts have resulted in tangible community impacts from empowering single mothers through the Fertigated Chili Cultivation Program, to enhancing sustainability literacy among primary school students, and advancing digital innovation for sustainable agribusiness. Collectively, UKM’s initiatives support Malaysia’s national sustainability agenda and global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), reinforcing UKM’s position as a transformative university driving sustainable land management and green community development.