COP29: TWO M'SIAN FARMERS TRAVEL OVER 6,000 KM FOR KNOWLEDGE ON AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY

From Samantha Tan Chiew Tieng

BAKU (Azerbaijan), Nov 20 (Bernama) -- After travelling over 6,000 kilometres from Malaysia to Azerbaijan, two padi farmers from Pendang, Kedah, are committed to bringing back valuable insights on sustainable agriculture to raise awareness among their peers about collective responsibility in preserving the environment.

Abdullah Mohamad, 58, and Keria Saad, 60, were granted special permission by the United Nations (UN) to attend COP29, with their journey fully sponsored by a biotechnology company, Free The Seed Sdn Bhd.

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Abdullah expressed gratitude for Free The Seed’s sponsorship, which not only enabled them to experience different cultures but also to learn global best practices in maintaining a green and sustainable environment that requires worldwide commitment.

"The Malaysian government has also been instrumental in supporting climate sustainability. As a Malaysian, I feel proud that our government collaborates with major global players to green the planet. This is crucial as the information we’ve learned here (at COP29) shows worsening climate change," he told Bernama when met at the conference.

He highlighted that many padi farmers typically burn straw after harvesting, viewing it as worthless waste but this practice releases carbon and pollutes the environment.

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“To counter this, we sell the straw to Free The Seed, which converts it into biodegradable packaging products. This not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also provides extra income for farmers, with the straw priced at about RM400 per tonne.

“While polystyrene disposable plates take 400-500 years to decompose and plastics around 50 years, biodegradable products made from straw decompose in six months and turn into fertiliser for future crops,” he explained.

Abdullah, who is also Pendang Selatan Area Farmers Organszation (PPK) chairman, pledged to share the knowledge gained at COP29—a global annual conference addressing climate change—with the local community and PPK members.

“I will explain to the community, farming units, and PPK members the importance of protecting the environment. This is not just vital for us but also for the future of our grandchildren,” he said.

Meanwhile, Free The Seed CEO P. Ramaness said that the company is the first to bring farmers to an international conference, an initiative aimed at recognising their contributions.

"The purpose of bringing them to COP29 is to help them value the straw they once burned. Free The Seed buys this straw and transforms it into products that are exported abroad.

“We want farmers to be part of this journey, witnessing the transformation of their straw into valuable products,” he said, adding that the conference plays a crucial role in exposing farmers to how climate change impacts the agricultural sector.

Malaysia’s participation at COP29, being held from Nov 11 to 22 at Baku Stadium, underscores the country’s commitment to a green economy as outlined in Budget 2025. The 200-member Malaysian delegation is led by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The Malaysian Pavilion at COP29, themed ‘Shift for Sustainability: Climate Action Now!’, is spearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRES) in collaboration with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) as the implementing agency.

-- BERNAMA