SMK Kidurong students learn composting skills in UPMS programme

BINTULU (March 10): SMK Kidurong students gained valuable exposure to sustainable agriculture practices during the Malaysia University for Society (Sulam) Service Learning programme themed ‘C2C: Crop to Compost’ last Saturday.

Over 42 students and teachers joined the programme, which was organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak Diploma in Agricultural Technology Engineering students.

The SMK Kidurong students also learned about harvesting techniques as well as innovative methods of turning oil palm and pineapple into value-added products and organic compost during a session themed ‘From Harvest to Zero Waste’.

“The session also introduced the concept of zero-waste agriculture, encouraging students to adopt more sustainable and environmentally responsible practices in managing agricultural resources,” said the event’s spokesperson Bennicia Tan Man Swen.

She said that to encourage creativity, students took part in an activity where they designed packaging concepts for oil palm and pineapple-based products by illustrating their ideas on manila cards.

The exercise allowed them to explore creative ways of promoting agricultural products while understanding their potential value.

“Participants were also given the opportunity to take part in a hands-on composting activity, where they learned how to produce organic fertiliser using agricultural waste materials,” she added.

The activity enabled students to gain practical knowledge of composting while understanding the importance of recycling agricultural residues.

Tan said through the programme, students not only strengthened their awareness of sustainable agricultural waste management but also gained first-hand experience in transforming pineapple and oil palm waste into organic compost, highlighting the importance of environmentally friendly farming practices.