KOTA KINABALU: A pastime that earned extra income for women in interior Kiulu is growing into a platform for food sustainability and eco tourism.
Women from Kampung Bambangan Lama began by planting mixed vegetables at the village recreational centre.
It has since become a consistent and committed project.
They plant, harvest and sell produce including cherry tomatoes, aubergines, kailan and winter melon to support the community.
Some are sold to nearby supermarkets, while some are for their own consumption, said chairperson Catherine Barantis.
She said earnings are modest but meaningful, especially for those who previously had no personal income.
“Some of us can earn up to RM4,000 a year. It may not sound like much, but it is our own effort. We also grow food for our families, so nothing goes to waste,” she said.
She added the activity allows participants to have their own pocket money.
The women recently received help from incumbent Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai to fence the communal farm.
The fence prevents stray animals from damaging crops.
“We are grateful for the support. With the fence, we can focus on improving the farm and echo our wakil rakyat’s call to empower ourselves through agrotourism,” she added.
The women run recreational centre is being developed as an agrotourism site.
Visitors can pick vegetables straight from the garden and learn about village life.
Last year, the Kampung Bambangan Lama Recreational Centre was nominated for the Asean Community Based Tourism Standard.
It was recognised for its community driven approach, though it did not make the final cut.
During a visit on Monday, Bangkuai praised the women’s effort.
He said it shows how rural women can drive community-based tourism through initiative.
“These women are not just helping their families. They are showing how empowerment can start at community level. They show that cooperation and creativity can add value to people and the tourism experience,” he said.
He said he hopes to continue supporting initiatives that benefit women and families in Kiulu.
