Subang Jaya offers financial aid to spur growth of community gardens

PETALING JAYA (Aug 4): Subang Jaya residents in Selangor who are interested in gardening can apply for financial assistance through their respective councillors in their areas.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh said that the aid would be given to residents associations that wanted to start their own "community garden" projects.

"The residents associations will have to apply for the funds through their councillors in their zones.

"It is a good way for residents to grow their own organic produce," she said after launching a newly built gazebo at USJ 11/4H this morning at the park next to the community garden in the area.

Yeoh said the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) will provide the space for residents who were keen to take up the community garden project.

"MPSJ will identify the areas in the neighbourhood which are suitable for gardening and provide the necessary assistance," she said.

Yeoh also said the community garden project was a great way for children to learn about agriculture.

"Students from nearby schools can come and visit the garden and learn about the various vegetables and fruits," she said.

Yeoh also said that MPSJ had spent RM11,000 to build a gazebo for residents in the area.

"MPSJ has also spent RM19,000 to upgrade both the badminton courts and walkway around the park here," she said.

USJ 11/4 residents association president Raymond Sudo said the community garden project was very well received by the residents.

"This is a very good project for the community. We have a lot of residents who are very interested to grow their own produce," he said.

Sudo said their garden had already started to bear fruit after six months.

"We are growing lady's fingers, mint leaves, brinjal and bitter gourd. We will soon start growing fruits such as sugar cane, papayas and rambutans," he said.

Sudo also praised Yeoh for providing RM2,000 in seed money to start the community garden project.

"We hope that more residents will come and join the project and grow more produce for the community," he said.