Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), through the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, has carried out the Program Pembangunan Komuniti Berkelompok di Kg Semera, Asajaya under the Komuniti@UniMADANI initiative. The project was implemented for one year, from April 2025 to March 2026, and was led by Ts. Dr Mohamad Hilmi bin Ibrahim, with the support of Dr Walftor bin Dumin.
The programme focused on empowering the Kg Semera community through modern agriculture. It introduced a raised fertigation system, IoT-based monitoring, weather tools, and basic product development. Six participants were involved in the project, in terms of planting, crop care, and downstream product activities.
Through the project, the community learned how to manage crops using a more systematic farming method. The IoT system helped them monitor important data such as EC, pH, rainfall, and temperature. This made crop management easier and reduced dependence on traditional methods.
The first planting cycle focused on brinjal. The project generated an estimated profit of around RM6,000 from brinjal sales after deducting electricity and water costs. The community also developed value-added products such as sambal terung and kerepek terung, which contributed around RM700 in profit. The profit was shared among the participants.
The project also created a social impact. It improved the community’s skills in smart farming, increased their confidence in using technology, and encouraged teamwork among participants. It also gave UNIMAS students real exposure to community-based agricultural development.
The project has now continued into its second season with new crops such as long beans and honeydew. Participants are also involved in seedling production and salad vegetable cultivation. This shows that the UniMADANI project has created a practical and sustainable farming model for the community.
Overall, the project reflects UNIMAS’ commitment to community empowerment, rural economic development, and sustainable agriculture. It also supports the MADANI vision by helping local communities build skills, generate income, and move towards smarter and more resilient farming practices.
Written and prepared by Ts. Dr. Mohamad Hilmi Ibrahim.