UPM-UMS Strengthen Collaboration on Food Security, Benchmark Integrated Farm Model
By: Aimi Mohamad Farid
Photo By: Mohammad Izrul Abdul Jabar
SERDANG, 24 April – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is positioning its integrated agricultural model as a national benchmark for food security following a high-level visit by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) aimed at replicating its durian plantation and eco-farming initiatives in Sabah.
The delegation, comprising UMS Board of Directors and top management, visited UPM to study the development of Ladang Bersepadu Puchong, a large-scale integrated farm that combines crop cultivation, aquaculture and agri-innovation as part of a sustainable “living laboratory”.
UPM Vice-Chancellor, Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said the visit underscores growing inter-university collaboration in addressing national food security challenges.
“This engagement reflects our shared commitment to strengthening agriculture as a strategic sector. Ladang Bersepadu Puchong demonstrates how integrated farming can support research, education and commercialisation simultaneously,” he said.
He added that UPM’s Food Security Blueprint 2024 has opened new avenues for collaboration, with UMS among key partners exploring practical implementation models.
Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor described UPM as a leading reference in agricultural development, particularly in sustainable and scalable farming systems.
“We see strong potential to adopt and adapt UPM’s successful models for Sabah, especially in advancing eco-farm development and strengthening food security at both state and national levels,” he said.
During the visit, delegates were briefed by Putra Agriculture Centre Director, Prof. Ts. Dr. Siti Zaharah Sakimin on the farm’s role as a multidisciplinary platform integrating teaching, research, innovation and industry collaboration.
The delegation toured fruit plantations, including durian cultivation sites, as well as aquaculture facilities to observe integrated farming practices in action.
The visit marks a significant step towards deeper institutional collaboration, knowledge transfer and the scaling of sustainable agricultural models across regions.
Also present were UPM Board of Directors Chairman Dato' Sri Jailani Johari and UMS Board Chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Abd Rahman Dahlan, along with senior leadership from both institutions.
