BUSINESSES such as terrarium-making and ornamental plant cultivation demonstrate how youth can explore plant-based agropreneurship through ventures that require relatively low start-up costs, says Zalina Che Manan.
Such ventures, the Politeknik Jeli Kelantan Department of Agrotechnology and Bio-Industry lecturer added, enable young people to develop horticultural, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.
“Many people still view agriculture as being limited to crop farming or livestock production.
“However, agriculture today encompasses a much wider range of activities, including ornamental horticulture, urban gardening and plant-based creative enterprises,” she told StarEdu.
Describing the appeal of terrarium-making, she said terrariums combine elements of nature, art and innovation.
“A terrarium is essentially a miniature ecosystem in a transparent glass container.
“The word ‘terra’ refers to soil, while ‘arium’ refers to a transparent container where living things can be observed,” she said.
The versatility of terrariums, she added, allows students to experiment with different plant species, including mosses, succulents and cacti, while incorporating decorative miniature structures such as houses, staircases and fairy-tale-inspired elements.
“There is no limit to creativity. Art is subjective. Once students understand the basic concept, they can adapt it to different themes and designs,” she said.
Beyond creativity, Zalina believes terrariums align with sustainability principles by encouraging the reuse of materials and promoting greater appreciation for nature.
She noted that discarded glass containers can be repurposed into terrariums, while mosses and natural materials found in the surrounding environment can be transformed into attractive decorative products.
“We are surrounded by pollution, stress and fast-paced lifestyles. Terrariums bring nature closer to us.
“They help us reuse materials, make use of natural resources that are often overlooked and create greener environments,” she said.
Beyond terrariums, Zalina said students are also exposed to related concepts such as paludariums, which combine land and water ecosystems, and aquascaping, which involves creating decorative underwater landscapes.
To nurture interest in these areas, she said Politeknik Jeli Kelantan established the Green Vista Club, which introduces participants to the artistic and entrepreneurial potential of ornamental plants and aquatic ecosystems.
Zalina, who serves as the club’s adviser, said the initiative was created to broaden students’ understanding of aquaculture beyond fish farming.
“Many people associate aquaculture only with fish, but there are also aquatic plants, mosses and other species that can become hobbies, creative projects and even sources of income,” she said.
She added that the students learn to transform natural materials such as moss, driftwood, stones and clay-based growing media into miniature landscapes inspired by forests, gardens and fantasy settings.
“We encourage students to imagine and create their own miniature worlds.
“Even if they live in a concrete city, they can have a small forest right in front of them on their study table,” she said when met at the National TVET Day celebration in Putrajaya in June.
She shared that since launching the initiative in February, the club has sold nearly 50 terrariums, adding that the revenue generated from sales is channelled back into the club to fund training programmes, purchase materials and support community outreach activities.
Zalina hopes the initiative will encourage young Malaysians to view agriculture as a viable business opportunity rather than solely as a traditional occupation.
“We want students to realise that there is money to be made from their interests. They should not rely entirely on others to create opportunities for them.
“You can start with a hobby, turn it into a business and eventually create jobs for other people. That is the entrepreneurial mindset we want to cultivate,” she said.
