From village gardens to global recognition: Nur Shazwani honoured by UN for rural farming work

Nur Shazwani Mohd Salleh said the community gardens involved growing vegetables and roselle to help participants increase their income by selling their produce in local markets, while creating economic opportunities for the local community. — Bernama pic

First Published: Thursday, 22 Oct 2026 10:09 AM MYT

CHUKAI, Oct 21 — The success of helping rural women farmers increase their income through community gardens in several villages around Kemasik near here has brought international recognition to Kemaman district agriculture officer Nur Shazwani Mohd Salleh.

The implementation of agricultural projects involving seven community groups in the area since 2024 was among the factors contributing to the Kuala Lumpur-born officer’s achievement in receiving the 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development 2026 award from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on Oct 15.

Nur Shazwani, 41, said the community gardens involved growing vegetables and roselle to help participants increase their income by selling their produce in local markets, while creating economic opportunities for the local community.

“A total of 70 participants, mostly women, are involved in managing the community gardens, which cover a combined area of approximately one hectare. Each project uses underutilised land converted into small gardens, such as vacant plots beside community halls or on the outskirts of villages,” she told reporters at the Kemaman District Agriculture Office here yesterday.

The FAO recognition was awarded to 100 women selected from 609 nominations in recognition of their contributions to strengthening agrifood systems and rural development.

Malaysia submitted nine nominations involving various departments and agencies under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. The awards were presented by FAO Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu.

The recognition was given for her contributions to empowering women, including Orang Asli communities, in agriculture and rural development, particularly through community farming initiatives that have helped residents increase their income.

Nur Shazwani said she plans to expand the community garden projects to other areas in the Kemaman district to involve more residents, particularly rural women, in agricultural activities in the future.

She also said that among the other achievements highlighted in her award nomination were agricultural technology innovations she developed, including a portable hydroponic system that enables crops to be grown without requiring large areas of land.

“The innovation gives farmers the flexibility to cultivate crops, demonstrating that limited space is not a barrier to agricultural activities,” said Nur Shazwani, who began her career as a research assistant at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) before joining the Department of Agriculture in Putrajaya in 2012.

She said another innovation highlighted in the nomination was coconut production and its downstream products, particularly coconut sap, which has the potential to be commercialised with greater added value.

Nur Shazwani said processing technology that allows coconut sap to be transported without freezing, along with the development of slushie-style beverages, had helped broaden consumer acceptance of the product. — Bernama