KUCHING: The Ulu Ai Kanan (UAK) communities in Ulu Sungai Menyang landscape are enhancing their livelihoods through sustainable pepper farming and technical skills training.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia), the training was made possible through funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The initiative is a collaborative effort between WWF-Malaysia and Ulu Ai Conservancy (UAC) with vital support from the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB), and it is also a part of an ongoing effort to promote responsible land use and economic resilience.
Thirty-nine farmers from Nanga Delok, Tapang Pungga, Menyang Taih and Menyang Sedi recently completed a two-day training session in Nanga Delok, which included both classroom-based theoretical instruction and hands-on practical experience at a nearby pepper farm.
The programme aims to empower communities with the knowledge and technical expertise to practise sustainable pepper cultivation while also protecting both forest ecosystems and water resources.
WWF-Malaysia said the hands-on learning experience, coupled with classroom instruction, boosted participants’ confidence in managing their pepper farms more efficiently.
Such training marks the second of its kind, following a similar session in November 2024 involving farmers from Nanga Sumpa, Nanga Jambu and Pala Taong in the upstream areas of Ulu Sungai Menyang.
“By introducing best practices in sustainable farming, the initiative seeks to minimise environmental impact through methods such as pesticide-free fertilisation, which not only supports biodiversity but also helps prevent soil erosion and water contamination.
“This approach offers long-term economic benefits while safeguarding the region’s natural resources,” WWF-Malaysia said.
Meanwhile, MPB shared that pepper cultivation has long been an essential livelihood for indigenous communities.
“By integrating sustainability into traditional farming, we can help farmers increase yield and income while protecting their environment,” MPB said.
WWF-Malaysia and UAC, with ongoing collaboration from MPB, remain committed to empowering indigenous communities in Ulu Sungai Menyang. This holistic approach by combining agricultural sustainability with technical capacity-building will not only strengthens rural livelihoods but also reinforces the region’s long-term environmental conservation goals.
