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

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.

Cultivating Change: Creating a Model Paddy Farm with Captain Zakaria

Cultivate Central

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