Project Summary
4Nature aims to improve the standard of living and quality of lives of farmers in Kedah by empowering them with the knowledge of organic farming practices. Through this project, we target to tackle various environmental issues caused by the chemical fertilizers. We will foster the “agro-preneurs” mindset and educate the farmers on sustainable “green business” concepts which will augment their livelihood.

Project’s Details

4Nature aims to deliver and instil the knowledge of organic farming to the targeted farmers. As many are unaware of the benefits and sustainability of organic farming, 4Nature strives to promote organic farming amongst farmers and those in the agricultural sector. Working together with the Agriculture Department of Kedah and SRI Lovely Organic Valley, the knowledge and skills provided from these agricultural experts help to advocate our cause and purpose.

In collaboration with the Jabatan Agriculture Department of Kedah and SRI Lovely Organic Valley, 4Nature have organised a few workshop for our farmers. We have trained them with the skills necessary for the upcoming task. Initially, our farmers were quick to give up. As organic farming is both time consuming and complex, many face difficulties and doubts. Many farmers also felt discouraged as many were comfortable with their old methods. They lacked the self-esteem and inspiration to realise their full potential. It was indeed discouraging. However, we continued to support our farmers by engaging with them and always providing assistance. We have constant follow ups where we meet with our farmers and check on their progress. They feel motivated and eager with each visit, having the energy to continue on. After 3 months, they have seen the fruits of their labour.

Besides seeing an increase in yield and a better produce, they were also also able to save up to 50% of their monthly operation cost. Our farmers were able to save the operating cost by utilising the agricultural waste in their farm, turning the waste into organic fertilisers. Not only that, the pH value of the farmers’ land remains in between 5.5 – 6.0, an excellent condition for soil fertility whereby they do not have to spend the extra cost for their land treatment. Our farmers have now an increased income, a lower expenditure, a healthier produce and a soil sustainable enough to last for many years to come.

Seeing the success of our project, 4Nature desires to expand the project. We are always reaching out to more farmers and young peoples in the agricultural industry, particularly those of low income and those new in the industry. To attract them, we teach farmers efficient, unique, new and simple ways of producing organic fertilizers by using kitchen waste and food waste readily available. However, all 

efforts were for naught if there were no financial support. As a start-up model to implement these activities, the financial aids obtained were from Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Institute (CEDI) of UUM and Shell Malaysia. As our journey to impact more farmers and improve our environment continues, we are regularly seeking new sponsorships and financial support to ensure 4Nature is able to continue on this mission.

Currently, we are targeting 20 more farmers in Changlun, Kedah and Chuping, Perlis. For the next phase, we will conduct a workshop for those mature farmers to teach and instil organic farming knowledge to others. We are also involving local restaurants to join the project. Being regular customers for purchasing crops from our farmers, they are the underlining link which enables these farmers to market their produce. Within a year, we are confident that the residents in those two areas will support organic farming products.

4Nature aims to empower farmers with organic farming skills to realise their full potential in the agricultural sector. Through this project our farmers are able to gain happiness by becoming an agro- preneur, building a sustainable business through agriculture. As stated earlier, 4Nature benefits farmers in many ways. Overall, the decrease in costs equals to more profits. Any individual will be ecstatic to have a profiting business. Besides that, organic farming has increased the total yield, producing much healthier produce. Regardless of whatever plantation, crops with higher quality is always in demand. Moreover, our farmers are happy because their lands pH value remains in between 5.5 – 6.0, whereby, they do not have to spend the extra cost for their land treatment. This is a joy as many lands today are unable to sustain farming in the long term due to unsafe farming practices. Indirectly, the practice of organic farming will encourage the surrounding environment to grow. Instead of a wasteland, the land will be teeming with wildlife and beautiful greenery. Definitely, 4Nature has always impacted the farmers in the short and long term. Previously, the farmers with low self-esteemed, difficulties and doubts are transformed into passionate and eager individuals, hungry for success. Being fully independent, they have started to engage with their community and started to develop the people in their society. Furthermore, some farmers were innovative in creating their own unique fertilizers!

As this report is a testimony of the good works of 4Nature, we, Enactus UUM give our biggest thanks for funding our project. The Khind Starfish Foundation has invested wisely in our project, giving rise to development to not only the individual, but also the society, community and the environment.