Sarawak Empowers Local Economy Through YIM’s Social Innovation Trail  

KUCHING, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is steadily advancing its community-level innovation development through the Jejak Inovasi Sosial (Social Innovation Trail) initiative.

This initiative is organised by Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) to empower the local economy via creative solutions based on the community's genuine needs.

YIM’s chief executive officer, Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh, said the demand for innovation in Sarawak has matured and is now focused on enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of existing businesses.

"Sarawak has already achieved significant progress. Therefore, we see that the current need is more about efforts to improve individual and community economies.

"Innovation is no longer about seeking the extraordinary, but rather about refining what already exists to make it more efficient, higher in value, and representative of Sarawak's unique identity," she told Bernama.

She added that the programme is also the conclusion to this year's Jejak Inovasi Sosial series, following tours of other zones across the country. The information gathered will be used to design new initiatives for the coming year.

The programme for the Sarawak zone included visits to a handicraft centre, a chilli and salad fertigation farm, a research centre for polluted water rehabilitation, and a facility producing handmade skincare products.

Ahmad Tarmizi Ahamad Sabirin, 29, an entrepreneur in chilli and salad fertigation since 2018, said the programme gave him new access to vital technology and training for his business.

“Our main challenges are crop diseases, such as thrip mites and whiteflies, and the ever-increasing cost of agricultural inputs.

“Even with ten years in the field, we must continuously learn and attend courses. Our hope is for more training and subsidies for pesticides and fertiliser to produce high-quality, safe produce,” said Ahmad, who runs the farm with his 32-year-old wife, Aminur Amira Norasri.

Superbiochar Ball innovator, Mohd Rushairiy Abu Bakar, 34, said the eco-friendly product, based on biochar, is used to treat water in rivers, lakes, and ponds.

It utilises local waste materials like rice husk and wood, aligning with the waste-to-wealth concept emphasised by the Sarawak government.

“The Superbiochar Ball doesn't just treat water naturally; it also has significant potential in agriculture, livestock farming, and even cosmetics. A single source of biochar can be used comprehensively and it's inexpensive and sustainable.

“We are confident that, with guidance from Jejak Inovasi, this community-level initiative can be commercialised. It can provide benefits not only across Sarawak but also has potential on an international scale,” he said.

Mohd Rushairiy also expressed his hope for strengthened strategic partnerships with government and private agencies to accelerate the wider implementation of this innovation.

-- BERNAMA