UiTM’s Smart Mushroom Farming Project Empowers Asnaf Mualaf

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi MARA’s (UiTM) oyster mushroom cultivation project is helping to increase the income of asnaf mualaf (underprivileged Muslim converts), ultimately improving their standard of living.

The community project utilises modern farming techniques through the iMistroom 2.0 modular smart mushroom house system, an innovation by Associate Professor Dr Hamid Yusoff, a senior lecturer at UiTM Penang’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and his team, in collaboration with four other stakeholders.

Hamid said the project, funded by Bank Rakyat with an allocation of RM364,800, started in September last year with 20 asnaf mualaf participants selected to cultivate oyster mushrooms at Surau Al-Huda in Taman Markisah, Permatang Tinggi.

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“iMistroom operates on the 2T (Leave and Harvest) and 3M (User-friendly, Easy and Modular) concepts. The participants are from B40 and asnaf communities, so we support them by providing a community-friendly technology that is easier to manage.

“This collaboration will continue until this month, but ongoing support will be provided to help the asnaf expand their yield and start cultivating mushrooms in other locations,” he told reporters after attending the launch of the asnaf mualaf development project at Surau Al-Huda today.

The launch ceremony was officiated by UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (Industry, Community and Alumni Network) Prof Dr Jamalunlaili Abdullah and attended by Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association Penang branch chairman Ben Ooi Chooi Beng.

Hamid said the project is a joint effort between UiTM Penang and UiTM Kedah, with the Penang campus providing technology expertise, training, guidance and monitoring, while the Faculty of Business at the Kedah campus assists in marketing and product research.

The cultivation is carried out in phases, and so far, 20,000 mushroom blocks have been placed in 20 smart mushroom houses. Ten units are located at the surau and another 10 are managed by a company in Pokok Sena, Kepala Batas.

He said each block can produce four to five harvesting cycles within three months, and so far, the project has generated around RM20,000 in sales. In addition to fresh mushrooms, value-added products like fried mushrooms are sold at various locations.

Ben Ooi said the project has been very beneficial, especially in helping the asnaf mualaf to generate income and reduce their reliance on monthly aid.

“In terms of sales and revenue, there is clear growth, with participants earning at least RM200 on top of their existing income.

“We see great potential for the participants to improve their standard of living. In fact, three participants have started their own fried mushroom kiosks, allowing them to generate even more income,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jamalunlaili said the use of innovation developed by UiTM researchers exemplifies the synergy between universities, communities and banking institutions to boost the local community’s income while sharing modern technology.

He added that the project contributes to sustainable food production and fulfils the Sustainable Development Goals, namely SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

“The modern mushroom houses are not just an additional income source for the community but also a concrete step towards achieving sustainable development goals,” he said.

-- BERNAMA