EP #12: From Clean Water to Regenerative Farming with Orang Asli in Malaysia

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What does it take to rebuild livelihoods, restore soil, and shift mindsets? .

EP #12: From Clean Water to Regenerative Farming with Orang Asli in Malaysiap

In this episode of Cultivating Change, Nova and Tamanna speak with Dr Teh, CEO of the Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, about how a clean-water project in an Orang Asli village grew into a movement for food security, land regeneration, and dignity.

Dr Teh shares how Global Peace has been co-creating regenerative farms with Jakun communities across Peninsular Malaysia, helping more than 40 farmers rebuild their soils, revive indigenous farming knowledge, become stewards of their land once again and create new streams of income.

The conversation also explores the creation of, Jaringan Akar, a farmer-to-farmer learning circle inspired by the mycorrhizal networks that connect and nourish forests.

Tune in for inspiring success stories interwoven with practical insights on restoring soils and creating market access for regenerative farming produce.

Show notes

00:00 – Introduction Dr Teh introduces the mission of Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, exploring how social work and environmental stewardship came together in his career. 03:00 – The beginnings: Clean water in remote villages Dr Teh recounts the first clean-water projects with Orang Asli communities and how these early efforts opened his eyes to deep-rooted issues of access, poverty, and connection.

07:00 – From water to soil As Global Peace expanded its work, they discovered the link between water, food security, and livelihoods. COVID-19 became the turning point, pushing communities toward farming for survival.

10:00 – Learning from Little Wild Farm Dr Teh describes his visit to Little Wild Farm in Johor, where he first witnessed regenerative farming in practice, and how he brought Orang Asli farmers to see it for themselves.

15:00 – Introducing regenerative farming to Orang Asli villages What began as scepticism turned into curiosity and collaboration. Villagers drew parallels between regenerative methods and the traditional farming of their ancestors.

18:00 – Soil, seeds, and self-sufficiency How communities faced degraded land, learned soil-building techniques, and revived local seed-saving traditions while adapting regenerative principles to their own contexts.

22:00 – Mulching, patience, and early lessons The challenges of working without chemical fertilisers; sourcing mulch and organic matter; and rediscovering natural processes that heal the soil over time.

25:00 – Building Jaringan Akar, the farmers’ network Dr Teh explains how the idea for a farmers’ support network was born: inspired by the forest’s mycorrhizal “root systems,” where farmers now share knowledge, seeds, and moral support.

33:00 – Jam & Yati’s story: From landfill to lush farm One of the most powerful transformations, a couple once banned from a landfill now run a flourishing farm filled with bananas, cassava, lemongrass, and the sweetest pineapples. Their story captures the essence of resilience and the dignity that comes from working the land.

42:00 – Policy and land rights challenges A grounded discussion on systemic barriers, from unclear land ownership to the lack of supportive agricultural policy for smallholders and indigenous farmers.

50:00 – Regenerative farming as stewardship How Orang Asli farmers are not just cultivating food but rebuilding ecosystems, reviving native plants, and reclaiming their role as land stewards.

55:00 – Markets, livelihoods, and fair value Dr Teh outlines how Global Peace Foundation is helping farmers process and sell produce, from fresh pineapples and cassava to chips, teas, and moringa chicken, while building sustainable market access.

01:01:00 – Looking ahead Dr Teh’s vision for the next decade: scaling regenerative models, connecting rural and urban consumers, and positioning Orang Asli farmers as role models for Malaysia’s ecological future.

Additional Resources

1. Learn more about Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (GPFM).
2. Jamida and Yati’s full story here.
3. Read about how Orang Asli are fighting for their ancestral land rights in Malaysia.

Special thanks to Dr Teh, for sharing about the regenerative farming work that Global Peace Foundation is doing with the Orang Asli in Malaysia. 

Creator and host: Nova Nelson.
Executive Producer, and researcher:  Tamanna Patel.
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About Cultivating Change

Cultivating Change is a podcast where we unearth Southeast Asia's regenerative food stories. From smallholder farmers to urban growers, researchers to environmentalists and food entrepreneurs to community organisers. We speak to those making an impact. Whether they are re-imagining local food systems, re-connecting us to healthier sustainable food or re-generating landscapes through agriculture. This is not just a podcast. It's a recipe for change.