LAWAS: The third edition of Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak’s (YPS) flagship community engagement initiative, Y-HARVEST 3.0, is set to return from Aug 26 to 29 at Kampung Punang Baru, here.
Short for Youth for Hope, Action and Rural Vitality Through Empowerment and Sustainability, the four-day immersive learning programme brings together tertiary students aged 18 to 30 from universities across Malaysia.
YPS said this year’s engagement series will centre around the village’s Tahai fish community, placing a strong emphasis on traditional cottage industries, sustainable practices and youth empowerment.
“Building on the success of previous editions, Y-HARVEST 3.0 continues YPS’s commitment to nurture young changemakers, equipping participants with practical skills while encouraging a deeper appreciation of Sarawak’s diverse heritage, experiences and aspirations,” YPS said in recent statement.
The key highlight of the program will be the traditional production of Tahai fish — a living heritage shaped by generations of the local fishing community through traditional knowledge, wood-smoking techniques and community resilience.
Through hands-on engagement, participants will learn about Tahai production, smokehouse operations, resource management, product marketing and the vital role cottage enterprises play in sustaining rural livelihoods.
Beyond heritage preservation, Y-HARVEST 3.0 aims to foster unity, trust, respect and inclusion among youths from diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds through cultural immersion.
“Participants will also develop practical skills in traditional product-making, innovation, strategic marketing and sustainable enterprise development to help empower local community-based initiatives,” YPS added.
