Cultivating Change
Southeast Asia’s Regenerative Food Story
Welcome to Cultivating Change 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.
What does it take to reimagine food systems in Malaysia from the ground up?
Nova and Tamanna sit down with three members of Kongsi Co-op — Siu Hou, Callie, and Samantha — to uncover how a cooperative model is reshaping Malaysia’s food systems. Born during the pandemic, Kongsi Co-op isn’t just a marketplace. It’s a community-owned movement that connects farmers and consumers through shared risk, responsibility, and vision. From their CSA programme, the “Kongsi FoodBag Subscription,” to the Kongsi Academy, they’re driving consumer education and championing local organic farmers in a time when supermarkets dominate and climate challenges intensify.
The conversation also explores their boldest initiative yet: Fund A Land, a community land trust to preserve farmland for future generations, starting with GK Farm, an organic pioneer for over 30 years. Together, we delve into co-ownership, governance, and how true “dividends” mean healthy soil, clean rivers, and empowered farmers.
Tune in to this episode to discover how cooperation cultivates change.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here
What does syntropic farming look like in a compact backyard urban plot?
Hasan Al Habshi, founder of Pangaea Naturals, about beekeeping, producing stingless bee honey, growing tropical superfoods, and designing a small-scale syntropic farm in urbanised Penang island.
He explains why stingless bees (from the Trigona genus) are the perfect pollinators for city farms, how their hive structures inspire him, and the surprising relationships between healthy soil, abundant fruiting and bee nutrition.
This episode explores how regenerative systems can thrive even in small urban spaces and why soil, biodiversity, and balance are key to producing high-quality honey and crops.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here
What does appropriate technology look like when it is rooted in the needs, wisdom, and realities of smallholder farmers?
Shen Maglinte, Deputy Coordinator of SIBAT in the Philippines, shares how his team has supported over 1000 farmers from indigenous and rural communities in Bohol, Negros & Cebu for over 30 years to develop water, energy, and farming systems that are regenerative, empowering and sustainable.From natural seed breeding and farmer-led soil restoration techniques to gravity-fed water systems and community-owned rice mills, Shen explains why technology must be site-specific, ecologically grounded, and socially just.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
How can a family-run hotel spark a nationwide movement for organic farming?
Arrut Navaraj - third-generation hotelier and founder of the Thai Organic Consumer Association (TOCA) - shares how his passion for holistic health transformed Sampran Riverside into a hub for sustainable food systems which connects over 130 smallholder farmers directly with hotels and consumers. Through the introduction of a pioneering trust-based certification known as Participatory Guarantee System to this community of farmers, Arrut reveals how collaboration, transparency, and circular thinking are reshaping tourism and agriculture in Thailand.
Tune in to hear how food can be the bridge between health, community, and regeneration.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
What if the way we eat could rebuild communities and challenge an unjust food system?
Mabi reveals how their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model is doing just that - bridging urban eaters with agroecological farmers in Metro Manila. From its CSA to solidarity shares to community kitchens, Mabi shares the power of food as a force for justice, resilience, and connection.
Join us as we explore how consumers can become co-producers in shaping a fairer, more nourishing future.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
How does a career change sow the seeds of a regenerative farming movement?
Abdul Razak shares how he faced the realities of livestock farming, financial sustainability, and environmental stewardship. He developed his own approach permaculture principles and Miyawaki’s food forest method, which prioritises soil health, biodiversity, and eco-friendly solutions. He also dives into his work with Malaysia’s Orang Asli communities, blending traditional knowledge with sustainable innovations to restore ecosystems and empower indigenous farmers.
Tune in for a conversation on how grassroots efforts can regenerate landscapes, livelihoods, and local wisdom.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
How do we build resilient food systems in a changing climate?
Elyssa Kaur Ludher explores the intersection of climate change, food security, and sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia. From urban planning to agricultural research, her journey was shaped by hands-on work in rural Cambodia. We discuss the impact of climate change on smallholder farmers, soil health, and fisheries, along with the promise of urban agriculture and emerging solutions like carbon farming.
Tune in to uncover how innovative policies and local resilience can shape the future of food.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
How can composting fuel a greener food future?
Harbir Gill, founder of Ground Control, at his composting facility in Port Dickson, Malaysia. From media production to waste management, Harbir shares his journey into large-scale composting and its role in tackling urban waste, restoring soil health, and supporting Malaysia’s greening goals. We dive into hot composting, lessons from rainforest ecosystems, and why composting is key to sustainable waste management.
Tune in to discover how rethinking waste can regenerate our cities and soils.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
How do you turn degraded land into a thriving, self-sufficient ecosystem?
Chee Hoyyee at Project MARS, a 1.8-acre agroecological farm in Balik Pulau, Penang. From regenerating former palm oil land to integrating Thai Khok Nong Na and syntropic agroforestry, Hoyyee shares her journey of stewardship- navigating earthworks, funding struggles, and community engagement.
Join us as we walk the land with Hoyyee and uncover what it truly takes to restore ecosystems and build resilient food systems.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
Can aquaculture thrive in a dense urban landscape?
Shannon Lim is a financial planner turned aquaculturist. Running OnHand Agrarian in space-scarce Singapore, Shannon shares his journey into polyculture farming, the challenges of sourcing hatcheries and talent, and the business of sustainable seafood - from Feed Conversion Ratios to the potential of open-water fish farms. He also reveals his vision for hyper-local, decentralised food systems and even gives us a peek into his innovative “crab scam” setup.
Tune in to explore the future of urban aquaculture and the possibilities of growing food in unexpected places.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
How do you farm fish in a city with almost no space?
Shannon Lim, Managing Director of OnHand Agrarian, who turned his passion into a thriving aquaculture business in Singapore. Using the Integrated Multi-Trophic Recirculating Aquaculture System (IMTRAS) Shannon cultivates seafood in a way that mimics natural ecosystems—proving that sustainable fish farming can work even in urban settings. He shares why he embraced a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, how seafood and vegetables fit together, and what small-scale aquaculture looks like in Singapore today.
Don’t miss Part 2, where we dive deeper into the business and science of polyculture fish farming!
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
EP#1, Part 2: Paddy Farming Future with Captain Zakaria, SRI Lovely Farm, Malaysia
In this episode, we continue our conversation with retired Navy major Captain Zakaria Kamantasha who started a 10-acre organic paddy farm in a rural area of Sik district in Kedah, Malaysia.
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.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
EP#1, Part 1: The Model Paddy Farm with Captain Zakaria, SRI Lovely Farm, Malaysia
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.
Get more resources and the show notes for this episode here.
The Kawan Kebun Goodman Podcast
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. We spoke 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. These conversations were made possible 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'.