Pests, especially rodents, have been a big problem for local farmers in oil palm plantations and paddy fields in Malaysia. To tackle this issue and protect agricultural security, Associate Professor Dr. Hasber Salim from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG) teamed up with the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF). Together, they launched the Barn Owl for Oil Palm Smallholders Initiatives (BOSI) on March 14, 2023 in Bandar Baharu, Kedah. 

As part of the BOSI initiative, 20 specially designed nest boxes for barn owls, created by Dr. Hasber and his team, were installed for free in Bagan Samak to benefit local farmers. These boxes provide a safe nesting space for barn owls, which are natural predators of rodents. By encouraging barn owl populations, farmers can effectively reduce rodent problems without relying on chemical pesticides, promoting sustainable farming practices that support ecological balance and reduce environmental harm. During the event, farmers were trained for free on how to install the boxes using GPS mapping to ensure proper placement. Dr. Hasber also introduced his latest design improvements, which make the nest boxes more attractive to barn owls. 

More than 10 local farmers attended the launch and were eager to adopt this long-term solution. They recognized the benefits of using barn owls as a natural way to control pests and protect their crops. This initiative also supports USM’s mission of empowering farmers through educational events, connecting them to transfer knowledge, and aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. 

Dr. Hasber’s research team will closely monitor the nest box occupancy, breeding of the barn owls, and rodent population density in the area. This project represents an important step towards promoting biodiversity conservation while supporting local farmers in Kedah. 

For more details on this initiative, visit the official USM News Portal.