Greenhouse provides therapy, source of income to students with cerebral palsy

Tunku Fatimah planting lettuce to signify the launch of the Johor Cerebral Palsy Association’s agrotherapy greenhouse.

AN agrotherapy greenhouse at the Johor Cerebral Palsy Association (JCPA) centre is set to benefit 90 students.

JCPA chairman Tunku Fatimah Faridah Tunku Osman said the greenhouse was donated by Johor Corporation’s (JCorp) plantation unit, Kulim (M) Bhd, to encourage hands-on learning.

“This project will also help us earn an income and become self-sustainable,” she said in her speech at the agrotherapy greenhouse handover ceremony at JCPA in Jalan Dato’ Menteri, Johor Baru.

Tunku Fatimah Faridah said Johor Agriculture Department would also provide training to the students and staff.

“At the moment, lettuce will be planted in the greenhouse.

“It will take about a week before it can be harvested and sold,” she said.

She added that the vegetables would be sold to the public and parents of the students.

Kulim managing director Mohd Faris Adli Shukery said the project replaced the old JCPA greenhouse on the same plot.

“We have been a close partner of JCPA, and previously donated MD2 pineapple harvested from our plantation in Ulu Tiram.

“We hope the greenhouse project can help JCPA develop an income stream through the sale of the produce grown.

“The greenhouse is able to produce more than 600 fruits and vegetables at one time,” he said.

JCorp Foundation chairman Rozaini Mohd Sani said the greenhouse, which costs around RM40,000, was developed in line with its environmental, social and governance agenda.

“We aim to support programmes that involve the community with a focus on education, upskilling and improving people’s livelihood,” he added.