Sarawak: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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. She stated that Sarawak has already achieved significant progress, and the current need is to improve individual and community economies. Innovation efforts are aimed at refining existing resources to increase efficiency, value, and representation of Sarawak’s unique identity.
Dr. Sharmila added that the programme is also the conclusion to this year’s Jejak Inovasi Sosial series, following tours of other zones across the country. Information gathered from these tours 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, an entrepreneur in chilli and salad fertigation since 2018, noted that the programme provided him with new access to vital technology and training for his business. Ahmad highlighted challenges such as crop diseases and the rising costs of agricultural inputs, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and additional training and subsidies for pesticides and fertilisers.
Mohd Rushairiy Abu Bakar, the innovator of the Superbiochar Ball, shared that the eco-friendly product is used to treat water in rivers, lakes, and ponds, and is based on biochar made from local waste materials like rice husk and wood. This aligns with the waste-to-wealth concept promoted by the Sarawak government. Mohd Rushairiy expressed confidence that, with guidance from Jejak Inovasi, the initiative could be commercialised, benefiting not only Sarawak but also having international potential. He also emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with government and private agencies to accelerate the implementation of this innovation.