Langit Collective
Building Sustainable Futures for Smallholder Farmers
Factbox
Location
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Grant Period
February 2020 - January 2021
Grant Amount
MYR 48,500
Focus Area
Overview
Langit Collective partners with smallholder farmers in East Malaysia to revive traditional rice-growing practices through regenerative agriculture. By promoting chemical-free farming and fair market access, Langit helps rural farmers improve their livelihoods while protecting the environment for generations to come.
Impact At A Glance
- Works directly with indigenous farmers in East Malaysia
- Ensures farmers receive at least 35% of retail proceeds
- Reinvests 30% of profits into capacity-building workshops
- Promotes chemical-free, regenerative farming practices that restore soil health and biodiversity
The Challenge
In Sarawak’s Long Semadoh Valley, the misuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has damaged farmland and endangered rural communities.
Under Malaysia’s National Agro-Food Policy (2011–2020), chemical inputs like weedicides, molluscicides, and urea fertilizers were distributed as subsidies to smallholder farmers. In Long Semadoh Valley, Sarawak, these subsidies reached communities with little training or guidance on safe use.
Farmers began applying chemicals without understanding dosage or protective measures. Over time, the land grew weaker, livestock fell ill — some buffalo mistaking fertilizer for mineral salt — and unexplained health problems emerged among villagers.
To restore balance, Langit sought to close this knowledge gap and help farmers transition toward regenerative, climate-smart agriculture — methods that nurture both the soil and the people who work it.
The Solution
Langit Collective restores balance by promoting regenerative rice farming and fair trade, helping indigenous farmers protect their land and livelihood.
By sourcing heirloom rice and crops directly from indigenous farmers, Langit ensures fair pricing and sustainable livelihoods. Farmers receive at least 35% of retail proceeds, while 30% of profits are reinvested into community training programmes that strengthen local knowledge.
Beyond selling produce, Langit connects urban consumers with the farming communities — bringing visitors into the villages to experience firsthand the artistry and heritage of traditional rice cultivation. This cultural exchange builds appreciation for slow, mindful farming while reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship.
The Grant with AirAsia Foundation
AirAsia Foundation’s grant enables Langit to strengthen regenerative farming practices through research, training, and on-ground support.
With this grant, Langit will:
- Conduct community consultations to collect data on existing farming practices
- Create visual best-practice guidelines for easy farmer reference
- Pilot workshops on natural soil enhancers, improved field layouts, and eco-friendly pest control
- Provide starter kits to model farmers eager to implement new techniques
- Produce a comprehensive impact report to share knowledge and outcomes with stakeholders
Through these initiatives, Langit aims to transform traditional rice farming into a sustainable, knowledge-driven practice that uplifts rural livelihoods while restoring ecological health.
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The Organisation
Langit Collective
Founded to reconnect people with the origins of their food, Langit Collective works with smallholder farmers from East Malaysia to bring unique, heirloom produce to wider markets. The social enterprise champions high-quality, ethically sourced agricultural products while nurturing sustainable farming practices that benefit both farmers and ecosystems.
Team Leader
Chan Zi Xiang
Chan Zi Xiang is an actuary turned social entrepreneur and co-founder of Langit Collective. Drawing on his analytical training, he brings structure and strategy to the organisation’s vision — empowering rural farmers through transparent trade and sustainable agriculture.
For Zi Xiang, Langit is more than a business — it’s a bridge between Malaysia’s rural heartlands and conscious consumers who value quality, fairness, and the environment.
Social Enterprise
