Maybank Islamic Bhd has spread its urban farming funds initiative to help reduce income inequality and poverty by identifying four new sites in Selangor and Kelantan.
The pilot project, in collaboration with INCEIF University, commenced in late 2021, targeting 60 urban poor in Bandar Rinching, Semenyih, with a minimal investment of RM90,000.
Maybank Islamic said the location was chosen due to the readily available land, and effective local network, which comprised the local mosque's committee and Rukun Tetangga members.
A small plot of land measuring 800 sq ft, in the housing area at Section 9, Bandar Rinching, was turned into an aquaponics area where fish farming facilitates the soilless growing of vegetables through hydroponics.
Maybank Islamic is allocating a zakat fund of RM260,000 to expand this programme to the second phase.
This will benefit more than 120 participants at two sites in the state of Kelantan and another two in Selangor. One of the sites in Beranang, Selangor, has only recently commenced operations.
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