Beyond Benih expands sustainable gardens empowering B40 communities

British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (BAT Malaysia) has marked fresh progress in 2025 for Beyond Benih, its flagship community investment programme aimed at strengthening food security and livelihoods among B40 communities through sustainable, community-led farm gardens.

Launched in 2022, Beyond Benih has benefitted an estimated 155,000 people nationwide by improving access to affordable, fresh produce cultivated using good agricultural practices. The programme’s model places communities at the centre of operations, enabling residents not only to grow food for their own consumption but also to build a sustainable micro-economy around agriculture.

To date, 22 community gardens have been established across Peninsular Malaysia. These gardens are operated by 240 Resident Association (RA) members who oversee daily operations, from planting schedules and harvesting to distribution and sales. The structure is designed to balance affordability with sustainability: 60 per cent of the produce is sold to beneficiaries at prices about 30 per cent below market rates, while the remaining 40 per cent is sold at market price to generate revenue that supports ongoing garden operations.

This hybrid approach ensures that vulnerable households gain access to nutritious food while the gardens themselves remain financially viable over the long term, reducing dependence on external funding.

Partnerships underpin long-term sustainability

Beyond Benih is implemented through close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DoA), local authorities and resident associations, a partnership model that combines institutional expertise with grassroots leadership. Communities receive funding, agricultural inputs, technical guidance and training, equipping participants with the knowledge needed to manage the gardens independently.

BAT Malaysia Managing Director Nedal Salem said the programme reflects the Group’s long-term commitment to delivering practical and meaningful support to Malaysians. “We remain committed to maintaining a tangible difference for Malaysians. By developing larger, higher-capacity gardens and expanding into new states, we aim to support even more families and build long-term resilience,” he said.

He added that the programme’s ambitions continue to grow alongside its footprint. “Beyond Benih reflects our long-term commitment to empowering communities in meaningful, practical ways. BAT Malaysia aims to support an estimated 250,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2026,” Salem said.

Over the years, Beyond Benih has also gained recognition at various state-level events, receiving multiple acknowledgements for innovation and community impact. These accolades underscore the programme’s role not just in addressing immediate food needs, but in fostering social cohesion, skills development and environmental awareness within participating communities.

Grassroots voices highlight real community impact

At the community level, RA leaders and beneficiaries say Beyond Benih has delivered tangible benefits that go beyond food production. In Kampung Abdul Rahman Yassin, Kluang, the community garden has become a focal point for cooperation, learning and mutual support.

Hajah Siti Radziah bt Mohd Said, Head of the Resident Association in the village, described how the initiative has strengthened both livelihoods and relationships. “My community garden continues to grow, and I’ve been able to build strong bonds and connections with the members of Beyond Benih. I can provide my family and community with much-needed healthy and fresh vegetables. May this programme continue to achieve an even greater success, Alhamdulillah,” she said.

For residents like Monaliza bt Bahari, the programme has also introduced new skills and healthier routines. “We have gained many benefits, including learning how to farm, exercise, and strengthen community ties,” she said.

As Beyond Benih moves into its next phase, BAT Malaysia’s focus on scaling up garden capacity and expanding into new states signals a broader ambition: to embed community-driven agriculture as a sustainable solution for food affordability, resilience and social wellbeing among Malaysia’s lower-income communities.