Over 2021 and 2022, we had a series of conversations with members of our community who were participating in various forms of earth care. Our aim was to begin cultivating a culture where people understand that they are part of nature and vice versa. This foundational shift in paradigm can only occur by seeing and understanding the world from diverse perspectives and practices. 

We spoke to a wide variety of people from our partners to fellow permaculture designers, musicians, foodies with indigenous, regional, and local food knowledge, artists, social and sustainable entrepreneurs right down to the aunty (and uncle) next door. 

Many of these conversations were captured with the support of our partners at the Arts House Limited at the Goodman Arts Centre, where the Goodman Community Farm is located, hence the name Friends of Goodman Garden or in Malay - Kawan Kebun Goodman. 

We hope you enjoy these conversations as much as we did. It has inspired us to venture into regenerative living and practices in South East Asia. Tune in for more of those conversations in the near future.

Kawan Kebun Goodman

We love learning and sharing! Start small, start where you are and do what you can. If you want to grow and make your own more, you’ll love our short introductory podcasts on using permaculture principles in urban areas to grow your own. 

We are Cultivate Central, a permaculture design consultancy based in Singapore. Learn more about us here: https://cultivatecentral.com/about-us

Urban Permaculture

Cultivating Change: Southeast Asia's Regenerative Food Story

Join Nova Nelson as she speaks about permaculture, her journey and how she applies permaculture principles to her life and social enterprise. She also touches on how the Covid19 pandemic helped her further hone her skills as a permaculture designer.  

Nova Nelson is the founder of Cultivate Central, a permaculture design outfit based in Singapore. 

Learn more about the work we do here: https://cultivatecentral.com

A Mini Intro to Permaculture

How can you make composting a habit for you and your family? What is composting and humus? And can you compost on an apartment balcony? All these questions and more answered in this session by Nova Nelson.

Nova is the founder of permaculture design outfit Cultivate Central and she teaches people how to create compost and vermicompost. 

Learn more about her here: https://cultivatecentral.com/about-us

Composting That Suits You

Learning how to grow your own food in small urban spaces like balconies can be a rewarding and wonderful journey. Nova shares how she started off, what she learned, and how you can create your own nutritional abundance in the tightest of spaces. 

Nova Nelson is the founder and chief permaculture designer at Cultivate Central in Singapore. Learn more about us here: https://cultivatecentral.com

Growing Food in Small Urban Spaces

Nova Nelson speaks to artist Khairulddin Wahab, to unearth hidden narratives in our environmental history. Cultivating a culture where society understands that people are a part of nature is the foundation for change. 

A big part of creating this culture is about immersing ourselves in holistic cultural conversations, conversations that will help us traverse history, indigenous knowledge, cultural context, economic and philosophy decal concepts that can help us understand better our often fraught relationship with the natural.

Nova is the founder of and chief permaculture designer at Cultivate Central. Learn more about us here: https://cultivatecentral.com.

Khairulddin Wahab: Nature's Patterns

You don't want to miss this unique chat!

This time around Nova Nelson speaks to Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips. Cheyenne is a writer, performer, environmental scientist, and licensed tour guide. She is an Associate Artist with Checkpoint Theatre in Singapore and a Young ASEAN Storyteller(2022).

Pulling her unique set of experiences and skills together, Cheyenne leads eco-literary walking tours around Singapore's various green spaces and parks. 

Learn more about Nova Nelson, Cultivate Central, and the work we do  here: https://cultivatecentral.com

Cheyenne Alexandra Phillips: Walking and Writing Amidst Nature

This time it’s double the fun as Nova Nelson speaks to James Choo and and Jerry Hinds about the world of bugs and how the two bring their specialties together to educate. 

James is an entomologist, environmental educator and  managing director of pangolin films, a film company, focused on content with a social conscience and capturing local insect biodiversity.

Jerry is a comic artist, penciler, and superhero enthusiastic. He has spent over 30 years in the design marketing and advertising industry, working as a creative director, art director and chief copywriter.
He is also the president of the association and comic artists, Singapore.

Learn more about Cultivate Central here: https://cultivatecentral.com

James and Jerry: Heroes in the Garden, Tiny Creatures, Big Characters

This time, Nova Nelson speaks to Natalie Tse. Natalie wears many hats: musician, performer, educator and research practitioner. 

She is the co-founder of the cross cultural and cross disciplinary arts organisation Natalie is the co-founder and resident artist of SAtheCollective, an arts company that investigates the relationship amongst Man, Nature and Technology, through the alchemy of Ritual, Play and Improvisation. She also founded LittleCr3atures™, where younglings up to 36 months old get to experience pure, unadulterated play with sound and soundful objects in a safe and immersive space

Learn more about Cultivate Central and our work here: https://cultivatecentral.com

Natalie Tse: Play with Sound, Breaking Conventions in Music

This time, join Nova Nelson as she chats Kamini Ramachandran a storytelling extraordinaire. Kamini has been described as Singapore's most mesmerising storyteller, is a pioneer in the field of storytelling and Asia, and she is the creative force behind MoonShadow stories, which spearheaded performance storytelling for adult audiences in Singapore. She also teaches her course, the storytelling intensive at LaSalle college of the arts and directs the annual student showcase stories through the mind's eye.

Kamini is also the creative producer of Story Fest and international storytelling festival in Singapore and the founding director of the nonprofit arts organisation, The Storytelling Centre Limited. 

To learn more about Nova Nelson and Cultivate Central and the work we do check out https://cultivatecentral.com

Kamini Ramachandran: Food Lore in Storytelling

Nova Nelson, founder of Cultivate Central, speaks to Mr Subbarow, Education Officer at the Consumers’ Association Penang (CAP) who heads up their Urban Farming Unit. CAP is one of the oldest consumer advocacy groups in Southeast Asia. 

They have a good chat about the the impacts of their work over the last few decades. What it means to promote and advocate for chemical free urban farming, how communities have responded to their work, and how it is linked to food security, social cohesiveness, and resilience. Food for thought, some would say...

Learn more about Cultivate Central's work with CAP here: https://cultivatecentral.com/eno-penang-think-green

Mr Subbarow: Part II: Does Agriculture Matter to The Consumers?

In this episode, we speak to retired Navy major Captain Zakaria Kamantasha who started a 10-acre organic paddy farm in a rural area of Sik district in Kedah, Malaysia.

Part 1 of this episode provides insights into the predicament of paddy farmers in rural Malaysia. We reflect on the natural approach to paddy farming that older generations of farmers practiced. Can past natural farming methods hold the key to a more sustainable future paddy farming in Malaysia? Captain Zakaria shares the story of how and why he started SRI Lovely Farm and his perspective on the worrying state of Malaysian paddy farms and farmers.

This is a two part episode. Tune in to Part 2 of this episode where we continue our conversation with Captain Zakaria and dig deeper into his philosophy on farming, the system of rice intensification (SRI) and what he feels should be the future of paddy farming in Malaysia.

Special thanks to Captain Zakaria for his time and invaluable insights.
Executive producer and host: Nova Nelson.
Producer, presenter and researcher: Tamanna Patel.
Music credits go to LongTong Studios www.youtube.com/@Longtongstudio.
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central
 
**Show notes**
[00:03:15] About Captain Zakaria and why he moved into agriculture.
 [00:04:40] Captain Zakaria on being “a catalyst and not a capitalist”
 [00:06:30] About history and demographic of the area of Belantik in Sik, Kedah
 [00:08:50] Why and how he started SRI Lovely Farm with the local community
 [00:10:30] Kedah’s status as the national rice bowl
 [00:11:45] Challenges of paddy farmers today
 [00:14:30] Captain Zakaria’s philosophy on farming

**Additional Resources**
 1. Connect with Captain Zakaria and his farm here: www.facebook.com/lovelyorganicfarm/
2. Interested in learning more about paddy farming in Malaysia, check out these reports by Khazanah Research Institute: The_Status_of_the_Paddy_and_Rice_Industry_in_Malaysia.aspx">www.krinstitute.org/Publications-@-…n_Malaysia.aspx
3. The second part of this episode which delves deeper into Captain's philosophy on farming, methods, and his take on the role of policymakers can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/cultivate-central/cultivating-change-padi-farming-with-captain-zakaria 

**About Cultivating Change**
Cultivating Change is a podcast about people and communities shaping regenerative local food systems in different parts of Southeast Asia. Hear from farmers and urban growers, food producers, culinary trailblazers, researchers, environmentalists and various individuals that are imagining, designing and creating healthier more sustainable food futures from the ground up.
Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

Cultivating Change: Creating a Model Paddy Farm with Captain Zakaria

In this episode, we speak to retired Navy major Captain Zakaria Kamantasha who started a 10-acre organic paddy farm in a rural area of Sik district in Kedah, Malaysia.

In Part 2 of this first episode, we talk about the critical aspects of the process of turning paddy into rice. Captain Zakaria shares specific methods and steps he has taken to turn his paddy farm into an organic farm while gradually increasing his yield. How does he manage his ecologically friendly cultivation process? Why does he think farmers need to be independent? What should be the government’s role in paddy farming?  And why he continues to share his methods and lessons with other farmers in Malaysia.

Special thanks to Captain Zakaria for his time and invaluable insights.
Executive producer and host: Nova Nelson.
Producer, presenter and researcher: Tamanna Patel.
Music credits go to LongTong Studios www.youtube.com/@Longtongstudio.
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central https://cultivatecentral.com/ 
 
**Show notes**
[00:03:20] System of Rice Intensification and understanding the process/cycles of paddy farming
[00:07:00] The benefits of paddy farmers being independent /self-reliant
[00:08:00] Organic paddy farming yields going from the average 2.5 up to 7 metric tonnes per hectare
 [00:10:30] What does Integrated Pest Management and eco-engineering look like on his farm
 [00:10:30] Role of policymakers in the paddy farming industry and his relationship with them
 [00:17:10] Impacts of artificial/synthetic chemical use on paddy farms
 [00:19:10] Captain Zakaria’s work with paddy farmers in Sabah and Sarawak
 [00:21:30] Organic rice as a niche product, certification with the department of agriculture

**Additional Resources**
 1. Connect with Captain Zakaria and his farm here: www.facebook.com/lovelyorganicfarm/
Interested in learning more about paddy farming in Malaysia, check out these reports by Khazanah Research Institute: -The_Status_of_the_Paddy_and_Rice_Industry_in_Malaysia.aspx">www.krinstitute.org/Publications-@-…n_Malaysia.aspx
Listen to Part 1 of this episode here: Cultivate-central –Cultivating-change-paddy-farming-with-captain-zakaria

**About Cultivating Change**
Cultivating Change is a podcast about people and communities shaping regenerative local food systems in different parts of Southeast Asia. Hear from farmers and urban growers, food producers, culinary trailblazers, researchers, environmentalists and various individuals that are imagining, designing and creating healthier more sustainable food futures from the ground up.

Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

Cultivating Change: Paddy Farming Future

In this episode, we speak to financial planner turned aquaculturist Shannon Lim who runs his fish and crab farming Community Supported Agriculture business, OnHand Agrarian, in space scarce Singapore.

Part 1 of this episode provides a fascinating look into the life of someone who turned a hobby into a fish farming business. Shannon uses a method called Integrated Multi-Trophic Recirculating Aquaculture System (IMTRAS) at his homestead and at his farms in Lim Chu Kang and Pasir Ris, Singapore to cultivate seafood. He shares with us the basics of how it works and why he prefers it over monoculture fish farming. We then have a discussion about the reasons he turned to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription box business model and began supplying vegetables along with his seafood. 

Nova’s discussion with Shannon also provides an informative overview of small scale fish farming in Singapore and its recent history.

This is a two part episode. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode where we continue our conversation with Shannon Lim, delving into the intricacies of running a polyculture aquaculture business including the challenges of finding hatcheries, talent, and running fish farms in open seas. He also shares why he feels it is important to share the know-how to create abundant food systems and how he has been doing it even in dense urban settings in Singapore. 

Special thanks to Shannon Lim, Managing Director of OnHand Agrarian for his time and invaluable insights.

Senior producer and host: Nova Nelson.
Executive Producer, presenter and researcher: Tamanna Patel.
Music credits go to LongTong Studios www.youtube.com/@Longtongstudio.
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central https://cultivatecentral.com/ 
To listen to more episodes of Cultivating Change podcasts head on over to: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts 
 
*Show notes*
[00:05:10] Learning about Shannon’s childhood experiences with his grandmother and father in Singapore
[00:09:17] Shannon explains how the Integrated Multi-Trophic Recirculating Aquaculture System (IMTRAS) works
[00:11:28] How he learned about IMTRAS and expanded his knowledge about the systems
[00:13:28] A discussion about Singapore’s fisheries policy and history around aquaculture including and how and why local production may have decreased over time
[00:18:27] The myths about monoculture fish farming in Singapore - antibiotics and water pollution
[00:21:26] Why Shannon chose polyculture over monoculture for his aquaculture ventures
[00:25:34] Moving to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription box model - what prompted the move and why

*Additional Resources*
1. Connect with Shannon Lim here: https://www.facebook.com/OnHandAgrarian 
2. Get an overview on the consumption of global seafood and plans for supplies to meet the growing demand: https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/nts/growing-food-insecurity-asias-huge-appetite-for-fish-can-it-be-met/ 
3. To learn about restorative aquaculture in Southeast Asia Penang’s aquaculture read this article: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2023-31-keeping-southeast-asia-afloat-restorative-aquaculture-key-to-its-food-resilience-by-elyssa-kaur-ludher/ 

*About Cultivating Change*
Cultivating Change is a podcast about people and communities shaping regenerative local food systems in different parts of Southeast Asia. Hear from farmers and urban growers, food producers, culinary trailblazers, researchers, environmentalists and various individuals that are imagining, designing and creating healthier more sustainable food futures from the ground up.
Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

Cultivating Change: Fish Farming in the City

In this episode, we speak to financial planner turned aquaculturist Shannon Lim who runs his fish and crab farming Community Supported Agriculture business, OnHand Agrarian, in space scarce Singapore.

Part 2 of this episode Nova continues her conversation with Shannon Lim, delving into the intricacies of running a polyculture fish farming business.
This ranges from the challenges of finding hatcheries, the right talent, the basics about running a fish farm as a business including the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and the potential of running fish farms in open international waters.
Shannon also shares why he feels it is important to share the know-how to create abundant hyper-local decentralised food systems, how he has been doing it even in space-scarce dense urban Singapore, and whether the IMTRAS system he uses is replicable. 
As a bonus, Shannon also takes Nova on a quick tour of the crab condo set up in his homestead as he elaborates on what he calls his “crab scam” system. 

Special thanks to Shannon Lim, Managing Director of OnHand Agrarian for his time and invaluable insights.

Senior producer and host: Nova Nelson.
Executive Producer, presenter and researcher: Tamanna Patel.
Music credits go to LongTong Studios www.youtube.com/@Longtongstudio.
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central https://cultivatecentral.com/ 
To listen to more episodes of Cultivating Change podcasts head on over to: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts 
 
**Show notes**
[00:02:28] Shannon sharing the details of his current team, the unique challenges he faces in hiring, training, and retaining talent for the aquaculture business
[00:05:07] How Shannon ensures the freshness of his seafood and flow and schedule of deliveries 
[00:07:00] The logistical and human resource challenges of running a community supported agriculture subscription business which also includes vegetables 
[00:08:58] The potential environmental and financial advantages of setting up fish farms in international waters
[00:11:29] Discussing the two largest costs of running an aquaculture business - fish feed and labour
[00:12:24] The complications and challenges of running a polyculture fish farm instead of a monoculture
[00:14:11] The intricacies of the fish farming business from sourcing and importing fingerlings, finding good hatchery partners to quarantine process and water quality 
[00:25:45] The abundance of opportunities for aquaculture and fish farming business 
[00:28:30] Details of how productive his 75, 000 liters of tanks in his home are including number of fish, feed, size of fish, return on investment and the viability of the business


**Additional Resources**
1. Connect with Shannon Lim here: https://www.facebook.com/OnHandAgrarian 
2. Get an overview on the consumption of global seafood and plans for supplies to meet the growing demand: https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/nts/growing-food-insecurity-asias-huge-appetite-for-fish-can-it-be-met/ 
3. To learn about Penang’s aquaculture industry and potential read this article: https://penanginstitute.org/publications/issues/1005-penang-s-aquaculture-industry-holds-great-economic-potential/ 

**About Cultivating Change**
Cultivating Change is a podcast about people and communities shaping regenerative local food systems in different parts of Southeast Asia. Hear from farmers, small holders and urban growers, food producers, culinary trailblazers, researchers, environmentalists and various individuals that are imagining, designing and creating healthier more sustainable food futures from the ground up.

Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

Cultivating Change: The Business of Fish Farming with Shannon Lim

In this episode, we speak to Chee Hoy Yee who runs Project MARS (Mitigation, Adaptation, Resilience, Space) a 1.8-acre plot of agricultural land in Balik Pulau in Penang, Malaysia. 

We begin the episode at Hoy Yee’s urban farm and cafe as she recounts the story of how she and her husband found themselves as the stewards of this larger plot of agricultural land. Formerly used for palm oil cultivation, she shared that the aim was to regenerate it while educating the community on eco-friendly farming practices. 

The rest of the conversation takes place as Hoy Yee walks Nova through the land explaining her approach to agroecology and stewardship. She speaks about the influences of syntropic agroforestry methods and Thai agricultural practices such as Khok Nong Na which prioritises self-sufficiency. Hoy Yee also discusses the various challenges they faced including navigating earthworks and building canals, getting funding, managing volunteers and building structures of recycled wood and mud bricks on site. 

This conversations offers an insight into environmental land stewardship and what it takes to meaningfully engage a community as part of the process.

Special thanks to Chee Hoy Yee, Founder of Pop and Chee Healthy Home Farming and Project MARS. 

Senior producer and host: Nova Nelson.
Executive Producer, presenter and researcher: Tamanna Patel.
Music credits go to LongTong Studios www.youtube.com/@Longtongstudio.
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central https://cultivatecentral.com/ 
To listen to more episodes of Cultivating Change podcasts head on over to: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts

*Additional Resources*
1. Connect with Hoy Yee here: https://www.facebook.com/POPNCHEE 
2. To learn about the Thai agriculture model of Khok Nong Na, read a short summary of the concept here: https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/wp-content/uploads/Khok-Nong-Na-Article-Final.doc.pdf  
3. For more about syntropic agroforestry methods read this in-depth article:  https://dario-cortese.medium.com/an-introduction-to-syntropic-agriculture-9a346050e6ed 

*Show Notes*
[00:05:15] How Hoy Yee and her husband found themselves steward of  a plot of 1.8-acre land, which was formerly used as a palm oil plantation
[00:06:45] In the car - A background and agriculture history about the Balik Pulau area
[00:12:00] At t Project MARS - sharing about the earthworks, materials, and planting required to stabilize the land
[00:14:45] How Hoy Yee and her husband fund the project
[00:16:00] How they create the mud bricks used for structures like the seed bank on their land from various types of soil
[00:20:45] Description of the adobe/mud brick structure they have built and adapting plans to incorporate local materials, and recycling wood to build a small elevated storage and living space on site
[00:25:55] A discussion about syntropic agroforestry techniques they use on the land
[00:29:50] A discussion about how they apply the Thai Khok Nong Nah model to build canals throughout the land
[00:33:15] How Hoy Yee is zoning the land into three distinct areas to be able to not only grow food in abundance but also to provide community with a wellness and learning space. 

*About Cultivating Change*
Cultivating Change is a podcast about people and communities shaping local regenerative food and agricultural systems in Southeast Asia. 

We speak to farmers, small holders and urban growers, food producers, researchers, environmentalists and various individuals that are re-imagining, designing and creating healthier more sustainable food futures from the ground up.

Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

Cultivating Change: Urban Farming to Rural Land Regeneration with Chee Hoyyee

In this episode, we visit Harbir Gill, founder of Ground Control, at the company’s composting facility in Port Dickson in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. 

Harbir shares his journey from running an events and media production agency to becoming passionate about composting and waste management. He discusses the processes and challenges of large-scale composting as a way to tackle waste generated in urban areas, the importance of healthy soils, the importance of sustainable waste management, and how composting can contribute to Malaysia's greening goals.

Harbir explains hot composting, what we can learn about organic waste from our rich rainforest ecosystems, the broader impact of waste management on urban biodiversity and healthy soils and more.
This episode provides insights into environmental stewardship through business and why it is important to make compost a part of any country’s waste management plans.

Special thanks to Harbir Gill, Founder & Managing Director of Ground Control.

Senior producer: Nova Nelson.
Executive Producer, presenter and researcher & host: Tamanna Patel.
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central https://cultivatecentral.com/ 
To listen to more episodes of Cultivating Change podcasts head on over to: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts 

 
*Show notes*
[00:02:15] Harbir describes the outdoor area of the production facility - the mounds of compost
[00:03:30] Learning about hot composting, the method that Ground Control uses for its organic compost
[00:04:30] Some of the machines that are involved in the composting business
[00:08:15] Sourcing the raw organic matter materials for a composting business
[00:11:30] Learning that landfills is not the only option for our food and organic waste
[00:12:45] Does composting on a large scale smell?
[00:13:15] The need for local policies to make composting the norm in the country
[00:15:15] No smell, but lots of biodiversity in and around the compost heaps
[00:16:15] How much organic waste the Malaysia produces per day and how much of it can Ground Control compost
[00:18:30] Learning from nature - Malaysia’s tropical rainforests - nature’s great composting machines and why our soils need more organic materials
[00:22:45] Is there a demand for locally made organic compost? Learning about the customers and where the growing demand is coming from 
[00:25:45] The story of how Harbir got involved with composting
[00:30:15] How Malaysia can improve on its organic waste management and composting
[00:33:00] The impact Ground Control’s composting business has had on the council and some clients
[00:35:15] What individuals can do to stop organic waste going to landfills management in their localities

*Additional Resources*
1. Connect with Harbir Gill and Ground Control here: https://www.facebook.com/groundcontroldotmy 
2. Recommended reading on composting: Rodale Book on Composting https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/592256/the-rodale-book-of-composting-newly-revised-and-updated-by-edited-by-grace-gershuny-and-deborah-l-martin/ 
3. Begin your urban composting journey with the compost tube. Learn with this short step-by-step DIY guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP-ITTUkIFU&t=9s&ab_channel=CultivateCentralSG 

*About Cultivating Change*
Cultivating Change is a podcast about people and communities shaping local regenerative food and agricultural systems in Southeast Asia. 
We speak to farmers, small holders and urban growers, food producers, researchers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs and various individuals that are re-imagining, designing and creating healthier more sustainable food futures and landscapes from the ground up.
Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

Cultivating Change: The Business of Composting with Harbir Gill

In this episode, we explore the intersection between climate change, food security, and sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia with policy researcher Elyssa Kaur Ludher. She is currently a Visiting Fellow with the Climate Change for Southeast Asia Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

Elyssa shares how she went from a life in urban planning to agricultural research influenced by her volunteer work in rural Cambodia.

Our discussion covers the multifaceted impacts of climate change on agriculture, including its effects on smallholder farmers, soil health, fisheries, and overall agricultural productivity in the region. We delve into the concept of urban agriculture and how technological advancements can help grow food intensively in small spaces, bringing food production closer to consumers. 
Additionally, she examines the role of smallholder farmers, their productivity compared to large farms, and the multiple challenges they face, such as aging demographics, urbanisation, and land fragmentation. 

Our conversation sheds light on the complex dynamics of food security and self-sufficiency as well as the emerging innovative policy and funding approaches required, such as carbon farming, to build resilient and sustainable food systems in Southeast Asia. 
Special thanks to Elyssa Kaur Ludher, Visiting Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute researching policy and novel solutions for agriculture and food availability in Southeast Asia as it adapts to climate change.

Senior producer and host: Nova Nelson.
Executive Producer, presenter and researcher: Tamanna Patel.
Music courtesy of Patrizio from Pixabay 
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central https://cultivatecentral.com/ 
To listen to more episodes of Cultivating Change podcasts head on over to: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts

*About Cultivating Change*
Cultivating change is a podcast about people and communities shaping local regenerative food and agricultural systems in Southeast Asia. We speak to farmers, smallholders and urban growers, food producers, researchers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, and individuals that are re-imagining designing and creating healthier, more sustainable food futures and landscapes from the ground up.  

Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

For show notes and further resources for this episode visit: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts

Cultivating Change: From Urban Planner to Food Policy Researcher with Elyssa Kaur Ludher

In this episode of Cultivating Change, we’re joined by Abdul Razak, founder of Social Eco Enterprise Development for Sustainability (SEEDS) Malaysia, a social enterprise championing regenerative farming, reforestation, and sustainability education. Abdul Razak takes us on a journey from his early career as a designer to becoming a player in Malaysia’s sustainable and natural farming movement, influenced by his late father’s dream of owning a farm.

Abdul Razak shares the multifaceted challenges he faced, from the steep learning curve of livestock farming to balancing financial sustainability with environmental goals. Central to his story is how permaculture principles and Miyawaki’s food forest method transformed his approach, bringing the focus on soil health, biodiversity, and eco-friendly practices.

A significant part of the discussion focuses on Abdul Razak’s deep involvement with Malaysia’s indigenous Orang Asli communities. He speaks passionately about the projects he runs with them, from creating sustainable food systems to empowering these communities through education on natural farming and seed-saving techniques. Abdul highlights their rich, yet undervalued, traditional knowledge, particularly in areas like food foraging, regenerative farming, working with nature and the preservation of indigenous plant species.

Throughout the episode, Abdul Razak touches on the wide range of nature-based solutions he has implemented, including reforestation projects, eco-services, and creating training centers for sustainable practices. His work seamlessly bridges farming, environmental stewardship, and community development, offering listeners insight into how grassroots efforts can restore ecosystems, combat climate change, and build resilient communities.

**About Cultivating Change**
Cultivating Change is a podcast about people and communities shaping local regenerative food and agricultural systems in Southeast Asia. 

We speak to farmers, small holders and urban growers, food producers, researchers, environmentalists and various individuals that are re-imagining, designing and creating healthier more sustainable food futures and landscapes from the ground up.

Our mission? To explore questions and find answers about the vital aspects of our food system, why it matters to your well-being, and the seismic impact it has on the environment in Southeast Asia. It's not just a podcast; it's a recipe for change.

**About Us**
Creator and host: Nova Nelson.
Producer, presenter and researcher: Tamanna Patel.
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/cultivate_c/
Visit us at Cultivate Central https://cultivatecentral.com/ 
To listen to more episodes of Cultivating Change podcasts head on over to: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts

Cultivating Change: From Designer to Regenerative Farming Advocate

Join us in this insightful conversation with Sarojeni Rengam, a lifelong advocate for agroecology, gender justice, and pesticide-free food systems and Executive Director of Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP). Sarojeni shares her powerful journey, from working with marginalised plantation workers in Malaysia to leading international campaigns against hazardous pesticides and promoting sustainable agriculture across Asia.

 Discover how the invisible effects of pesticides linger in soil, water, and even our food—impacting communities for decades. Sarojeni also highlights the critical role of rural women in agriculture, the importance of land rights, and the empowering stories of farmers who are embracing agroecology and reclaiming control over their livelihoods.

This episode offers not just a deep dive into the hidden dangers of industrial agriculture, but also practical ways we, as consumers, can reconnect with our food systems and support meaningful change.

Tune in to learn how small shifts in our choices can create a ripple effect toward a healthier, more just future.

Listen now: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts

Sarojeni Rengam, Part 1: Invisible Pesticides, Invisible Hazards

In this follow-up conversation, Sarojeni Rengam, Executive Director of the Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP), explores how COVID-19 has reshaped agriculture and food systems across the region. With lockdowns disrupting farming operations, Sarojeni shares stories of farmers reviving traditional practices, replanting indigenous crops, and setting up community kitchens.

We dive into the evolving role of agroecology and whether the pandemic has opened new doors for sustainable agriculture or strengthened the grip of industrial farming. Sarojeni discusses innovative consumer choices, community-supported agriculture, and the power of grassroots initiatives driving meaningful change during uncertain times.

Tune in to discover how small actions by consumers can foster resilient, local food systems and support farmers in creating a healthier future.

Find more podcasts by Cultivate Central here: https://cultivatecentral.com/podcasts

Sarojeni Rengam, Part 2:  Has COVID-19 Given Agroecology a Chance to Sprout?

Cultivate Central is an urban permaculture design practice and consultancy based in Singapore. We are on a quest to create regenerative food commons, spaces, systems, content and programmes that inspire action towards wellness and earth care.

Cultivate Central

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