Edited by Rivermore Academy
The growing trend of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has been on the rise, impacting Malaysia as well. Many companies are starting to move in the direction of ESG. Some are implementing their own ESG initiatives, while others rely on existing programs or partner with other companies.
However, for smaller-scale businesses, the concern lies in the investment required for ESG initiatives. Some companies are uncertain about how to effectively fulfil their ESG responsibilities and find it challenging to take the first steps towards ESG.
Francis Chuah, the 'Urban Farmer,' has found a solution.
Urban Farming: Paving the Way for Sustainable Business
After working in the field for 9 years with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Francis Chuah founded a social enterprise called 'Urban Farm Tech' in 2016.
Currently, he leads Urban Farm Tech, which has successfully partnered with Cyberview, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance, Malaysia. It has been recognized as an ecosystem partner by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) under Digital Agtech. Urban Farm Tech has also created urban gardens in workplaces across various government agencies and over ten private companies.
While the Malaysian government has been promoting community gardens and urban farming initiatives, Francis Chuah realized that people in urban areas are busy with work and may not have the time for traditional manual farming.
As a solution, Francis Chuah introduced urban farming projects into workplaces, incorporating Hydroponics as the model for their 'company gardens.' In this model, smart technology optimizes garden management processes. Hydroponic farming, which conserves water and does not use pesticides, aligns with ESG standards, specifically the 'Environmental' aspect.
This model is appealing to businesses due to its simplicity and sustainability.
Sustainable Aspects of 'Company Gardens'
In addition to meeting the 'Environmental' aspect of ESG standards, 'company gardens' or urban gardens contribute to the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of the United Nations – Zero Hunger.
Regarding the 'Social' aspect of ESG, when urban gardens are introduced in workplaces, employees can experience the fruits of their labour by planting, harvesting, and consuming vegetables. Harvested produce becomes one of the employee benefits, contributing to their well-being, health, and safety.
Apart from vegetables, Urban Farm Tech, under Francis Chuah's leadership, tailors urban gardens, installs aquaponic systems, and uses IoT technology for remote garden monitoring according to each company's conditions. These innovations offer significant conveniences to various enterprises.
Sustainable Development Requires More Effort
Urban farming, utilizing agricultural technology, is a sustainable development niche compared to traditional farming. The blend of 'urban' and 'agriculture' may seem unconventional, but Francis Chuah believes it can bring about significant changes in the industry.
He emphasizes that significant changes in an industry require long-term efforts and might span one or two generations. Therefore, focusing on the younger generation is essential for long-term success. Francis Chuah provides free lectures to student groups, aiming to raise awareness among the younger generation, especially urban students, and inspire them to become the new-era farmers equipped with agricultural technology knowledge.
Due to collaborations with companies and schools, Francis Chuah can ensure that when companies fulfil their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), they also extend their support to schools. This network-building between companies and schools helps schools gain access to corporate resources for project implementation.
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