SUBANG JAYA, August 22 — Taylor’s University, in alignment with its commitment to inspire positive change within the food system, has unveiled the Taylor’s Urban Farm (TUF) at its Lakeside Campus. As a part of the Food Security and Nutrition Impact Lab, TUF is set to be a catalyst for transformative action, providing an acre-sized “field of inquiry” where students and staff can actively respond to the call for change within the food system through innovation and technology.
TUF showcases more than 20 varieties of vegetables, fruits, and herbs utilizing three distinct planting systems: vertical towers, grow beds, and autopots. In line with sustainability principles, the urban farm employs a closed-loop system that reduces reliance on external resources and enhances the nutrient cycle by recycling water used for plant growth. Annually, the farm has the capacity to yield over 4,000 kg of fresh, organic, and pesticide-free produce. Unlike traditional farming methods, this system minimizes runoff of materials like pesticides and fertilizers, preventing contamination of groundwater and surface water sources.
The farm employs IoT technology with the Nido One system, offering automated control and detection of factors in a hydroponic growing system, such as water pH, nutrient solutions, and climatic parameters. Professor Dr Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer at Taylor’s University, highlighted the institution’s position to become a key player in influencing change within food systems, stating, “By building a sustainable food and agriculture system to ensure food security and safety, we can play our part to improve the overall nutrition and sustainability of Malaysia’s food supply by 2030.” Associate Professor Dr Phelim Yong, Head of the School of Biosciences, envisions TUF as a multidisciplinary living lab that enhances the food literacy of both students and staff.
The space is also intended to support academic and agricultural research at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, particularly focusing on crop cultivation in hydroponic systems. The experiential learning opportunities provided by TUF are reinforced through the Minor in Sustainable Urban Farming. Taylor’s University is the first private university in Malaysia to offer this study option, covering areas like crop development, production and management through hydroponic systems, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural automation and data management.
“Through these experiences, students will gain practical knowledge in sustainable urban farming practices, which not only contribute to environmental preservation but also promote public health and support local communities,” said Yong. Around 80 percent of TUF’s produce will supply the university’s academic kitchens, enabling students from Taylor’s Culinary Institute and the School of Food Studies and Gastronomy to access a fresh and nutritious supply of vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown on campus. This access fosters learning about environmentally-conscious practices, ingredient sourcing, sensory evaluation, and catering to diverse dietary needs.
Empowering students to create remarkable “farm-to-fork” dining experiences during their academic journey and future careers in the culinary and hospitality industries. According to the 2022 Global Food Security Index by Economist Impact, Malaysia ranks #41 globally in food security and #2 in Southeast Asia, post the COVID-19 pandemic. With many essential food items not achieving full self-sufficiency levels, the nation heavily relies on food imports, accumulating to RM 482.8 billion over the past decade, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. TUF is part of the Food Security and Nutrition Impact Lab, aiming to address hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.
Taylor’s University has introduced 13 Impact Labs in total, where academics, students, and external partners collaborate to deliver solutions that contribute to shared prosperity, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
