RETIREE Iskandar Ab Rashid is among a small but growing number of urbanites who have taken to planting their own vegetables, not just to help with higher living costs, but to generate income from tapping into a market for healthier organic produce.

For the 56-year-old, it started with the challenge of raising nine children on a limited salary as a teacher.

To help cut costs, he began farming 10 years ago, partly because of health concerns as he believed most of the vegetables sold in the market contained chemical-based pesticides.

Because he lived in an apartment, he planted vegetables in pots on the balcony and continued the habit wherever he moved. He eventually gave up teaching.

Iskandar, who holds an American biology degree, grows vegetables full time at his double-storey terrace house in Semenyih, Selangor. 

With capital of RM600 he is able to grow 30 types of organic vegetables and herbs, besides rearing chickens, ducks and catfish in a compound of 11 sq metres.

For the last eight years, his family have enjoyed the fruits of his labour and reduced the number of times they have to go marketing to replenish groceries and supplies.

“We only get things we don’t have from the market but that, too, is rare,” he said. 

Previously, the family would spend around RM1,500 a month on groceries and supplies but their bill now is between RM400 and RM500 monthly.

Health benefits

Iskandar’s mini-farm has also generated income, although he declined to reveal how much. He said his farming work was not intended to make profit.

Once a week, he sells his produce at a market in Cyberjaya. 

“Selling is just for fun and a novelty for some customers as I grow and sell things that are not common,” he said, adding that he also sells seeds and fertilisers. 

Among the rare items he grows is ginseng jawa, which is popular among Indonesian customers who use the root in traditional medicine recipes.

“They will usually buy around RM50 to RM100 of ginseng jawa,” he said. 

Iskandar’s produce are also sought after because they are pesticide-free and organically grown, using his knowledge as a biologist.

Other home growers have also sought him out for advice. Each week, Iskandar holds a class, besides blogging. He also maintains a Facebook page, tanamsendiri.com, where he shares tips on growing produce at home.

Iskandar has also published more than 20 books on vegetable planting according to species. 

“There are those who live in apartments or condominiums who have come and asked me to teach them on planting in a limited space.”

Iskandar said many are not into growing their own vegetables because of space issues without being aware that Malaysia’s consistent weather year-round makes it suitable for farming anywhere.

“Actually we can plant almost everywhere so as long there is space and enough sunshine all day. If the place is dark, then the farmer can install cheap LED lamps for lighting. 

“Purchasing the LED lights will be much cheaper than the monthly costs to purchase vegetables for the home,” said Iskandar, adding that the use of LED lamps are usually for farmers who live in an apartment or condominium.

Iskandar has no regrets retiring early. Though not making as much money as he could have had he stayed on working, he said having the luxury of time, the cost savings from a reduced grocery bill and the chance to generate some income from growing healthy food have been worth it.

He is not the only one caught up in growing his own vegetables at home.

Urban farming

Suriani Ahmad, 45, has been working on a mini-garden on the patio of her terrace house in Gombak, Selangor, for the past year.

Although it is a rented unit, it did not prevent her from growing crops to help reduce the cost of living.

“In fact, many people have started gardening in their own homes. My colleagues suggested it because they said it could help reduce household expenses,” she said.

Suriani said she only grew vegetables that her family eat, such as mustard, spinach and chilli, adding that she has cut down on her expenses by 10% to 20%.

“I feel gardening is less of a burden because these are the vegetables that my family eat daily.

“So, I am saving from having to spend more. If I go to the market now, I only buy only fish and chicken.”

Fariz Rizwan, 36, who works in a bank, said he initially started gardening to keep himself occupied. 

He wasn’t serious about it and only planted ornamental plants as his apartment unit in Ampang, Selangor, has limited space. 

But things changed when Fariz started to grow produce, using hydroponics.

Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, which is a method of growing plants without soil by using mineral-nutrient solutions. 

“I first read about hydroponic plants two years ago and was fascinated by the method.

“So I started to grow vegetables like mustard, spinach, chilli. My experiment lasted for only four weeks and then continued to improve,” he said.

He is enjoying lower grocery bills as a result of his hydroponic crops.

In fact, he said planting his own food has health benefits and can reduce the cost of living. 

“Red chillies cost RM12 per kilo but nowadays, I rarely buy chillies in the market.

“More importantly, I am not worried about whether the vegetables have been sprayed with chemicals or not.”

The hydroponic trend started around 2000 because it doesn’t use land, he said.

“Since the sudden rise in prices of goods, many have taken up farming using hydroponics.

“It is especially easy for those who do not have a lot of land or live in apartments,” he said.

The Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), realising how beneficial this is, began promoting urban agriculture projects 14 years ago.

The projects have served as a training ground and as a reference for participants interested in urban farming, said education officer Saraswathi Devi.

She said since the project was implemented, participants’ understanding of the concept of urban farming has improved.

“Most who came to class did not only come once, but frequently.

“They’re also interested in the cultivation process and knowledge gained from these classes.” – September 2, 2019.