REMBAU, JAN 05 - The Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP) together with the Co-Curriculum and Student Development Center, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) took the initiative to recently reach out to the community and bamboo plantation industry by organizing Bamboo Industry Potential Awareness (R&D) Program and Community Service "Bamboo Blazer" at Koperasi Kariah Masjid Kundur Ulu, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan (KOMASKU) which was officiated by the Chairman of the Angkasa Communications Committee Negeri Sembilan, Dato' Haji Ibrahim Bin Haji Abdullah. Bamboo Plantation at  KOMASKU was selected owing to its extensive area of ​​bamboo plants from betong species. Since 2015, this betong bamboo plantation has been used as a primary food source for the pandas at the National Zoo. The National Zoo will take the betong bamboo supply from here twice a week to ensure the freshness of bamboo. KOMASKU also emphasized that the panda specifically only prefers betong bamboo in this area for their diet.

During the "Bamboo Blazer" activity, a total of 60 participants, including students and members of KOMASKU participated in the program, which included information and knowledge sharing sessions as well as exhibitions on research and development of bamboo conducted by INTROP. According to the Director of INTROP, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Khalina Abdan, this knowledge sharing session covers the areas of Bamboo Tissue Culture, Basics of Bamboo Planting, Treatment & Development of Bamboo Products, Introduction of Bamboo-Based Business Models and Local Ecotourism Potential based on the Bamboo Farm area (KOMASKU). In fact, the use of technology and innovation such as the Smart Nursery Monitoring System using the Internet of Things (IoT) system in the production of good quality bamboo plant material was also introduced to the participants. The knowledge sharing on this is important to expose and educate participants about the potential use of technology in helping to improve the efficiency of daily tasks as well as encouraging the development of innovative solutions for entrepreneurs and the industry.

The program which lasted for three days and two nights from 05 - 07 January 2024 also included community activities conducted by the participants, including students such as cleaning up the bamboo plantations, homestay and mosques which were. The students also engaged in camping activities in the bamboo plantation area to meet the requirements of their credit courses. This program also attended by the representative from the Director of National Youth Higher Skills Institute (IKTBN) Chembong, Chairman of IKS Committee of Koperasi Kariah Masjid Kundur Ulu Rembau Bhd., Haji Zubir Bin Jamal, Village Head of Kampung Kundur Hulu, Mr. Ramadan Bin Mohd Taf and Imam of the local Mosque, Ustaz Sofiyuddin Khalid.

Date of Input: 26/01/2024 | Updated: 26/01/2024 | amallina.osman