On site: Catherine (right) briefing Joniston about their works.
KOTA KINABALU: What started as a modest side hustle to earn cash in interior Kiulu three years ago has since exploded, transforming into a dual engine that fuels sustainable food sources for the community and driving a vibrant, immersive eco-tourism destination for visitors.
The initiative began when 24 women from Kg Bambangan Lama came together and formed a group to plant vegetables at the village recreational centre.
This commitment quickly bore fruit, evolving into a sustainable enterprise where they meticulously plant, harvest and sell their own high-quality produce, including cherry tomatoes, eggplant, kailan and winter melon.
This seemingly simple activity now provides a crucial layer of support for their entire community.
According to Catherine Barantis, the chairperson of the women’s vegetable farm, some of the bounty is sold directly to nearby supermarkets, while the rest provides fresh, healthy food for their consumption.
She said the earnings were small but made a difference since some had no income before.
This activity, she explained, enables participants to earn a bit of pocket money.
“Now, some of us can earn up to RM4,000 a year.
“It may not sound like a lot, but it’s our effort.
“We also grow food for our families to eat, so nothing goes to waste,” she said.
Recently, the women received assistance from Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai to build a fence around their communal farm to prevent stray animals from damaging their crops.
“We are grateful for the support. With the fence, we can now focus on improving our farm,” said Barantis.
Furthermore, she said it would continue to empower them to contribute to agrotourism.
The female-run recreational centre is now being developed as part of an agrotourism initiative, where visitors can experience simple farm-to-table activities such as picking vegetables from the garden and learning about village life.
Last year, the Kampung Bambangan Lama Recreational Centre received a nomination for the Asean Community-Based Tourism Standard due to its community- driven approach; however, it did not succeed in making the final selection.
During his visit to the village on Monday, Bangkuai commended the participants for their efforts, describing it as an example of how rural women can drive community-based tourism through their own initiative.
“These women are not just helping their families; they’re showing how empowerment can start at the community level.
“They show that through cooperation and creativity, small community projects can bring value to both the people and the tourism experience,” he said.
