KONGSI BENIH
An IRBK Project
Jelajah Kongsi Benih (2025)
​
Community Seed Reserve Initiative (IRBK) is a non-governmental organization that strives to promote agricultural biodiversity and ensure food security through the sharing of local seeds among farmers and communities. This initiative aims to protect traditional seed varieties from extinction, encourage sustainable farming, and guarantee access to diverse seeds for our present and future needs.
In 2025, under the SHARE SEEDS program, IRBK has organized several roadshow programs across all states in Malaysia.
Objectives
Biodiversity Conservation
Preserve and maintain local seed varieties that are endangered and rarely found.
​
Food Security
Ensure a diverse supply of seeds that are accessible and affordable.
​
Community Empowerment
Develop networks of farming communities that work together in managing and sharing seeds.
​
Seed Sharing
Communities, farmer associations, and individuals are involved in activities of collecting and sharing seeds, such as the Natural Agriculture Association of Kelantan, SRI-Mas, CAP, FKMM, and many others.
Project Details
Jelajah Kongsi Benih
-Sarawak
​​​
The Jelajah Kongsi Benih program in Sarawak aimed to raise awareness and participation in preserving, sharing and selling seeds as part of community traditions that safeguard agrobiodiversity and farmers’ rights. The program emphasized the importance of protecting traditional farming practices while strengthening local knowledge, networks and food sovereignty. Two major events were conducted: (A) Tamu Marudi, held on 19 June 2025, and (B) MBKS Covered Carpark Kuching, held on 21 June 2025. At Tamu Marudi, around 150 participants attended, representing the largest number of contributors so far, with active participation in sharing, selling and displaying seeds and plants. Some farmers even brought original kampung chickens for sale, adding diversity to the gathering. At MBKS Kuching, about 180 participants attended, with eleven “seed heroes” contributing seeds, cuttings and seedlings to exchange. A highlight of this session was the visit by the Mayor of Kuching South City Council, who expressed strong support for Kongsi Benih and emphasized the need to continue this effort.
Activities across both venues included seed and plant exchanges, community interactions, promotion of farmers’ seed rights, and local produce sales. The program will continue next month in another state, with details to follow.
Kongsi Benih
-Sabah
​
Strengthening Farmers and Communities Through Seed Exchange in Sabah:
On the morning of 24 May, 2025, we shared seeds in Sabah, stopping at three different locations: Kota Kinabalu, the state capital; then moving inland to Kota Belud; and finally eastward to Semporna.
In Kota Kinabalu, we were joined by schools around the city as well as members of the public, each contributing seeds. Meanwhile, in Kota Belud, the most exciting part was the large number of visitors, especially local farmers, who came to share and discuss. It became clear how important seeds and farmers are. They hoped this program could continue across all of Sabah, and the tradition should be carried on. More than 170 people took part there.
In Semporna, we received visits from about 100 people, including several NGOs that also joined the seed-sharing program.
Kongsi Benih
- P. Jaya, Selangor
On Saturday morning, 15 February 2025 at the entrance of Forest Learning Centre, Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Selangor community folks shared seeds and cuttings.
Kongsi Benih
- Johor
Seed Sharing Johor: On 19 April 2025, at Sutera Mall, Skudai, Johor several 'seed warriors (wira benih)' took part, bringing seedlings, cuttings, and seeds to share and sell. Most of those who attended live in the city; however, they still want to grow vegetables and local herbs, especially around their homes. There were also visitors from Singapore who participated and expressed their support for this effort. They have only recently realized the importance of seeds and the impact of the upcoming Bill (RUU) that is set to be implemented. Around 130 visitors came.
Mini Karnival & Outreach Petani Merdeka
Taman Botani Perdana & Dataran Merdeka
​​​
The Mini Karnival & Outreach Petani Merdeka was held in conjunction with the month of independence to highlight issues of food sovereignty and the rights of farmers in Malaysia. The event aimed to create awareness and encourage public participation in discussions around agroecology, farmer independence and sustainable farming practices. It was organized as a two-part program combining both community engagement and practical sharing sessions.
The first session, Mini Karnival Petani Merdeka, was conducted on 24th August 2025 at Taman Botani Perdana from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Activities included booth exhibitions, distribution of free samples such as JADAM Microbial Pesticide (JMP) and Fish Hydrolysate, group discussions on farmer independence, and informal networking among participants. Farmers and visitors had the opportunity to exchange knowledge, meet old friends, and build new connections.
The second session, Outreach Petani Merdeka, continued from 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm at Dataran Merdeka. The outreach program emphasized dialogue on food sovereignty and the rights of farmers through participatory discussions, public sharing and cultural interaction. Despite its intensity, the event fostered solidarity and strengthened the spirit of Kita Petani Merdeka.
Submission of Farmers’ Memorandum on Six Critical Issues
Parliament, Kuala Lumpur
The memorandum submission aimed to highlight and demand government action on six critical issues affecting smallholder farmers, food sovereignty, and the future of Malaysia’s agriculture sector. Representing more than 40 organisations, the farmers voiced concern over policies that marginalize smallholders, restrict traditional seed systems, and favor corporate-driven, unsustainable models.
The memorandum outlined six issues: (A) protection of farmers’ rights under Article 9 of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), ensuring freedom to save, use, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds; (B) objection to amendments of the Protection of New Plant Varieties Act 2004 (Act 634) to align with UPOV 1991, seen as undermining national and farmer interests; (C) rejection of the proposed Seed Quality Bill, considered extreme and threatening to farmer seed systems; (D) promotion of agroecology as a foundation in the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13); (E) urgent intervention for paddy farmers facing severe economic pressures due to rising costs; and (F) support for vegetable and fruit farmers in addressing climate change, import surpluses, and market access. The submission on August 25, 2025, involved about 20 representatives. The memorandum was handed to Kubang Kerian MP Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who pledged to bring the issues forward in Parliament.