It is much easier to talk about protecting the environment than actually doing it especially when it involves toxic chemicals that may have adverse effects on our environment.
Such facilities must be located in an industrial zone to minimise he risk of contamination to water sources, groundwater reserves and public drainage system.
The facilities must also comply with occupational and safety regulations, while those who run such facilities should carry out an extensive awareness and education programme for the community.
Lim Hong Ngee Sdn Bhd (LHNSB), a family business based in Johor, led by example to be named the International Ambassador of Respect at the World of Respect awards an international extension of the Environmental Respect Awards, which was established 14 years ago in the United States.
LHNSB, which sells insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeds and fertilizers and provides consultation services to about 50 rubber estates and oil palm plantations in central Johor,represented Malaysia , which was one of the four country champions fron the Asia Pacific region., the others being India, Indonesia and China.
Sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection and Farm Chemicals International magazine, the World of Respect Awards honour agricultural stewardship programmes.
LHNSB director Lim Mien Chuan, who received the award at a presentation at the Capitol in Washington DC,last month,said he was proud of the company’s achievements in environment protection.
“It is something everybody can achieve.we started from a small shop surrounded by restaurants and other shops. Six years ago,we felt that it was not an appropriate place to run a business and decided to move to an industrial park to minimize the risk of pollution.
“We received guidance on an environment conservation from (multinational company) DuPont. You just need to take things a step at a time,” said the 35-year-old father of two in an interview on Friday last week.
Lim said the company had believed in environment conservation since it was established by his father ,Lim Hong Ngee , more than two decades ago.
It was his grandfather,though,,who had first ventured into the agro-chemical business when he migrated to the Malaya in the early 20th century.
After plying his crade as a cook and working as a supervisor in a timber company in Buluh Kasap,Segamat, Lim’s grandfather opened a shop in Renggam.
“My grandfather’s business was quite diversified.He started off selling sundry goods and alcoholic drinks like beer near an oil palm plantation.Estate managers went to him to buy beer and other goods and later , at their request, my grandfather began to sell agro-chemical products.
“When my dad returned after his studies in Australia,he took over the estate side of my grandfather’s business and gained experience in dealing with estate managers. He then established his own business in Kluang,” he said.
Lim, who graduated from the University of Calgary,Canada,with degrees in commerce and science quit his job in broking firm in April 1999 to help his father.
“There are always visions. But right now,we are concentrating on being environment-friendly and being a responsible agricultural supplier,”he said , adding that he had learned a lot about the environment since joining the business.
“Being involved in this industry makes you think of the importance of using approved chemicals and the impact they have on our environment.”
To help protect the environment,LHNSB carries out an “Ally Bottle Recycling Programme”.Last year, the company collected 15000 empty Ally bottles or 75% of the total it had sold,for the DuPont recycling programme.
The company also promotes an integrated pest management programme under which it introduced barns owls to control rats in oil palm plantations, and designs protective covers for the harvesting sickle,chisel and axe for plantations workers.
Besides selling agro-chemicals,Lim said it was important to educate end-users not to abuse the products in order to ensure the safety of consumers and protect the environment.
DuPont Malaysia had nominated LHNSB to represent Malaysia in the competition and helped the company fill in a self-audit entry booklet which was later submitted for judging by selection of committee comprising representatives from Farm Chemicals International,,DuPont Crop Protection ,CropLife Asia Pacific and CropLife International in Ohio,USA.
DuPont Malaysia managing director Dr. Hapiz Abdullah congratulated LHNSB on its accomplishment in the international arena.
“I am proud of this company which went all the way to the US to win the award.It shows that our sustainable and responsible care programme and our partners are good,”he said.
He hoped that with LHNSB leading by example, other small and medium enterprises would undertake such stewardship programmes which were not too costly.
Encouraging other companies to join the programme, Lim said : “ Filling up the (self-audit) questionnaire was a learning experience in itself.
“Before that,we did not know that there were so many requirements and we feel that there is a lot more we can do it, you can do it too.”
For more information on agricultural stewardship programmes,visit www.croplife.com.
