Agriculture Technology Workshop II

Speakers, participants and organisers posing at the end of the workshop

Once again expanding their efforts to educate students, staff and the public on organic farming, UTAR’s Centre for Biodiversity Research (CBR) together with the Faculty of Science (FSc) and Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR) organised their second Agriculture Technology Workshop on 17 July 2016 at the Kampar Campus.

Continuing from their first workshop that was successfully organised at Cameron Highlands in 2014, this year’s workshop was themed ‘DIY: Vermicomposting and Bokashi Composting’ and featured two experienced speakers, namely Wynnee Goh and Angie Yim, to share their insights on organic farming.

In his opening remarks, Organising Chairperson Prof Dr Ooi Aun Chuan expressed his thanks to the sponsor, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) for making the workshop possible and to the participants for their support.

“The attendance from the public today shows a positive response and interest to organic farming. As the workshop aims to enlighten participants on various approaches in vermicomposting and Bokashi Composting and to encourage participants’ involvement in these environmentally friendly processes, we also included other subtopics such as biological control, ecology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to share with everyone,” said Prof Ooi.

Initiating the first half of the workshop on vermicomposting, Yim demonstrated the setting up of a home worm bin and elucidated the various species of worms used in composting the waste. Participants actively participated as they learnt of the ways to manage the bin from the demonstration and discovered the benefits of enzymes produced from the compost. The aerobic process is also believed to be helpful in eliminating odour from the waste.  

Goh continued the workshop with her topic on Bokashi Composting and shared her three years’ experience with the participants. She dexterously demonstrated the steps involved in preparing the compost, using the microorganisms mixed into the carbon base to ferment the food waste. Participants were informed that the composting process would take three to four weeks to complete and the final product can then be used as fertiliser for plants.

The workshop saw the participation of both young and old who were able to expand their knowledge of organic farming. Besides inculcating farming skills, the workshop also served as a platform for participants to exchange information through the Q&A session.

The workshop then ended with souvenir presentations to the speakers by Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng and a group photograph. 

Yim explaining the home bin system

Yim describing the various worms used for composting

Goh demonstrating the setting up of the compost

Goh guiding participants in preparing the Bokashi compost

Dr Lim presenting tokens of appreciation to Yim (left) and Goh