KUALA LUMPUR, May 27: A community-based Malaysian farm, PWD Smart FarmAbility, led by persons with disabilities, has made it to the finals of the international Water, Air Food Awards (WAFA) 2026, which will be held at, and in collaboration with Copenhagen Business School on 20 November 2026, and livestreamed globally.
Announcing this in a recent press statement, WAFA said the innovative, chemical-free Malaysian farm was among a total of 56 applicants from 26 countries who had submitted their entries for this year’s WAFA – a global platform that celebrates community-led solutions tackling the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
The Copenhagen, Denmark based WAFA has over the years has also given recognition to grassroots innovations from many countries across five continents in various categories, including a Food Category in which PWD Smart FarmAbility is participating in.
PWD Smart FarmAbility, a disability-led regenerative social enterprise will be among 12 finalists who went through a voting process before being selected as finalists for the award.
Since its inception in 2020, the Malaysian farm has activated 8,010 chemical-free mini greenhouses across Malaysia, harvested over 346,000 vegetables without a single fertilizer or pesticide, trained more than 3,000 special education students in regenerative agriculture, and sequestered over 250 tonnes of CO2e — proving that agriculture can exist in urban city with limited areas.
With a tagline “No household is too poor, no disability too severe, to grow safe food”, PWD Smart FarmAbility, founded by Dr. Billy Tang Chee Seng, was launched in 2020 to create a closed-loop regenerative food system that can be operated at home by anyone, regardless of income, age, or ability.
The model is powered by two innovations. The Eco HOPE Box TerrariumTM, a solar-driven mini greenhouse that produces chemical-free vegetables every ten to fourteen days without electricity or fertilizers.
The Soil U TionTM Aquaponics Satellite Farm meanwhile is a zero-waste ecosystem that produces tilapia and leafy greens year-round.
What sets the initiative apart is its leadership. Dr. Billy’s leadership proves that physical limitation is not challenge but a fuel to influence communities and neighbourhoods to act as climate stewards. He led implementation across special education schools, low-income housing, elderly homes, and rural villages throughout Malaysia.
Apart from the environmental benefits and chemical free vegetables a total of 12, 500 individuals are benefitting from the innovative farming practice in Malaysia.
CEO and Executive Chairperson of WAFA, Tina Lindgreen said the WAFA recognition was not just about acknowledging the innovation of the farm but a testament that disability-led, community-based innovation can solve multiple challenges at once: food insecurity, chemical pollution, economic exclusion, and climate change.
“Being named a 2026 WAFA finalist places this project on a global platform where corporations, NGOs, investors, and media can see it, support it and help it scale,” she said.
She also said that WAFA has awarded 18 Silent Heroes since 2008, reaching 84 million people across 82 countries.
“Winning would give PWD Smart FarmAbility global recognition and connections to funders and partners who can accelerate its expansion across Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
“These are real people creating extraordinary impact from the ground up. They are often unseen, often unheard and the world needs to recognize these silent heroes, and the nature‐based initiatives they are leading.”
The Water Air Food Awards (WAFA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and amplifying local solutions that protect and restore access to clean water, air, and food, and a healthy climate. Established in 2008 as a Danish philanthropic association, WAFA has grown to reach 84 million people across 82 countries. WAFA honors community-based innovators known as Silent Heroes, whose nature-based approaches deliver measurable, long-term impact. Through awards, storytelling, and global partnerships, WAFA helps local solutions scale and inspires action for the benefit of humanity.