The Role of Agricultural Institutions in Promoting Community Involvement in Fertigation in Community Gardens

Abstract

The rising costs of living, the increasing trend of healthy lifestyle and limitations of agricultural area led to the introduction of community garden. Nevertheless, the low level of community knowledge and expertise by using technology in cultivation forces communities to continue cultivating crops using their existing experiences. Therefore, this study examines the role of institutions in increasing community involvement by utilizing fertigation methods to cultivate in community gardens. A quantitative study was conducted on 50 respondents in Kampung Gali Hilir, Pahang. In general, agripreneurs agree that agricultural institutions play a crucial role in providing information and assistance on fertigation cultivation through courses and training, providing agricultural inputs and conducting related programs. There is a need to strengthen the institutional approaches, thereby increasing farmers’ participation in new methods introduced. This to ensure that the community receives the benefit of new methods, as well as the sustainability of community garden and environment.