On 28 May 2024, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd (Northport), a member of MMC Group, and the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) announced a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering sustainable urban agriculture through an innovative large-scale vertical farming project. Known as the “Circle of Life Community Garden”, this initiative is set to expand urban farming in Klang, promoting community engagement and integrating principles of the circular economy.

A key component of this initiative is the active involvement of local community stakeholders. For this project, Northport and MBDK will work closely with schools, mosques and residents of the nearby housing areas to ensure the community is at the heart of the initiative. By engaging these groups, the project aims to educate and inspire the local community about the benefits of sustainable agriculture. This project will also involve partnerships with stakeholders from the Port Klang port and logistics industry, demonstrating the collective support and commitment of the industry community in promoting sustainable practices.

The large-scale vertical farming project initiated by Northport is expected to bring significant benefits to the Klang community. These include increased access to fresh, locally-grown vegetables, enhanced community engagement and education on sustainable practices, a reduced carbon footprint and landfill waste through innovative farming techniques, and improving local food security and resilience. As the project progresses, Northport and MBDK aim to expand the initiative to include more community partners and stakeholders, further embedding sustainability into the fabric of Klang’s urban landscape. This collaboration represents a key step towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the community.

Northport first initiated the vertical farming project at its premises in August 2023, and has seen positive results since then. Due to its success, the initiative was extended to nearby schools in Klang as part of Northport’s CSR programme, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability among school children while promoting local community development. The next phase is collaboration with the city council, which is a large-scale project focusing on developing the nearby community with the assistance of port and logistics industry players.