The cheer of “Pertanian Hutan BEST!!” (meaning “Forest farming is the best!”) perfectly captured the energy and excitement of the day. It was a moment that reflected the enthusiasm both our farmers and our new friends shared!

It was a day of learning, and community spirit as we welcomed 40 of our Temiar Orang Aslifriends from Gua Musang, Kelantan. Traveling all the way from the southern part, in collaboration with KUASA (Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam) bringing together a diverse group from 17 different villages that are eager to learn more about Syntropic farming.

This special visit was another milestone for our Jaringan Akar farmers, bringing a chance to exchange knowledge and engage in hands-on activities aside from building friendships across states.

Morning breakfast at Bukit Biru

Our first stop was Bukit Biru, where the day began under the cool shade of a canopy with a hearty breakfast. There, we enjoyed the morning breeze and prepared ourselves for the visit to Mamak Jamida’s plot.

Note: In the Jakun language, “Mamak” is translated as uncle or refers to an elder man

Jamida warmly welcomes fellow friends

Everyone enjoying their breakfast

As everyone moved around the plot, the sound of laughter and conversation showed this was more than just a plot visit but it was a chance for everyone to share their experiences, and learn from each other’s skills and stories.

Dr Teh with some of our OA Temiar friends posing for picture

Yati (Jamida’s wife) proudly shares about her flourishing plot

Land prep in Sualang

The next destination was Melor’s plot at Kampung Sualang!

The crowd waited eagerly to enter her farm plot

Final recap at Pinang

Once the hard work was done, we headed to our final stop—Kampung Pinang. Here, we gathered for a much-anticipated lunch, featuring a delicious spread of Ayam kampung kacuk lovingly prepared by Amai Normah. The free-range chicken, cooked to perfection, was the star of the meal!

After lunch, the group reconvened for a special gathering. We began by sharing a video made in honor of our ongoing syntropic farming project, an evidence to the hard work and passion poured into this initiative over the past four years.

This was followed by a lively sharing session led by Dr. Teh, our CEO and Mamak Walter, our chairperson for Jaringan Akar. They offered insights, stories, and practical advice! fostering a warm environment for discussion and learning among our farmers and friends.

Dr Teh (Left) and Walter (Right) during the sharing session

To help our friends carry this knowledge back to their communities, our Regen team (Short for Regenerative farming) prepared a comprehensive handbook filled with tips and tricks on syntropic agroforestry.

The eagerness of participants during the Q&A session highlighted the success of the event! curiosity was sparked, and new ideas were shared.

”After this, we’d love to sit down with the community to discuss which village should be the first to pilot the project, or perhaps whether all villages should start together.“

With theory covered, it was time to return to the field for more hands-on learning. The group made their way to Mamak Ali’s plot, where he demonstrated his pruning and mulching techniques. The joy was evident on everyone’s faces as they learned these practical skills, and Mamak Ali’s enthusiasm shone through as he shared his expertise by demonstrating the pruning of the banana trees.

Mamak Ali (Above in Jaringan Akar shirt) confidently shows his pruning and mulching technique

By the end of the day, it was clear that this was more than just a visit—it was a celebration of community, collaboration, and the shared goal of promoting sustainable farming practices. Thanks to the support of organizations like KUASA, initiatives like this continue to grow, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable farming, and strong communities!