PULAU PANGKOR, 8 February – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has strengthened its role in community empowerment through its active participation in the MADANI Community Development Programme in Pulau Pangkor, leading a sustainable compost fertiliser project in collaboration with the local community.
Organised by the Higher Education Department, the programme aims to enhance community knowledge and awareness on effective and sustainable organic waste management, in line with the MADANI Community development framework and the nation’s environmental sustainability agenda.
Deputy Director of the UPM University Community Transformation Centre, Associate Professor Dr Jasronita Jasni, described the initiative as a practical approach that delivers direct benefits to residents.
“UPM is not merely transferring knowledge to the community. We guide and mentor the people until they are fully capable of applying sustainable waste management practices and generating economic value from them.
“UPM has contributed 10 rotary compost drums, each with a capacity of 160 litres, capable of producing between 15 and 30 kilogrammes of compost fertiliser within two to three months,” she said.
She added that the production of compost fertiliser not only helps reduce agricultural input costs but also creates opportunities for additional income generation, with compost selling at an estimated RM4 per kilogramme.
“Demand for the compost produced has been highly encouraging, with advance bookings already placed while waiting for the compost to mature,” she noted.
UPM began educating and mentoring the Pulau Pangkor community on compost production in July 2025. Through continuous knowledge transfer and guidance, residents are now benefitting from reduced fertiliser cost as well as increased income.
The programme also included a site visit to the compost project in Kampung Teluk Gedung, officiated by the Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. Also present was UPM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Ir. Dr. Abd Rahim Abu Talib.
UPM expressed hope that the MADANI Community Development Programme in Pulau Pangkor will create a long-term impact by empowering the local community through sustainable waste management practices, economic improvement and ongoing environmental conservation efforts.
