“TAKE THIS PAPAYA—it’s very sweet, from Penang Hill,” the vegetable seller handed me the fruit with a smile, her pride evident. As a regular visitor to the Air Itam morning market, I’ve heard this pitch countless times—vendors proudly proclaiming that their produce are grown on the Hill. But who are these people cultivating crops on the Hill instead of the flatland? How do they go about their lives? These questions were answered in “Echoes from the Hill”, a documentary aired in March 2025 at COEX@KilangBesi, Penang.

Hidden Stories

Directed by independent documentary filmmaker Andrew Ng Yew Han, “Echoes from the Hill” offers a glimpse into a lesser-seen side of Penang Hill. I had expected a nostalgic retelling of Penang Hill’s past, the kind of story that evokes colonial charm. However, as the documentary unfolds, it becomes clear that it is not what I thought it would be. The documentary shifts the focus away from stories of those with power and privilege to spotlight the “small voices” [1] of farmers who have cultivated the land for generations. For once, these ordinary farmers take centre stage.

Life On The Hills

Born out of a year-long research project supported by The Habitat Foundation, the documentary explores the agricultural practices and lives of farmers within the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR). Through interviews, the research team uncovered the farmers’ histories, their struggles, adaptations and the changes they’ve faced over the years.

Conducting interviews with the farmers posed a unique challenge, as many spoke only Mandarin and Hokkien—languages unfamiliar to Andrew. The research team played a crucial role, facilitating the interviews and later meticulously transcribing and translating the footages to ensure the farmers’ voices are accurately captured and understood.

Meanwhile, Andrew immersed himself in the agrarian life, shadowing them in their daily routines and capturing over 100hours of footage, which he later skilfully condensed into a 20-minute film.

Filming, however, was no easy feat. While logistical support from the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) eased some challenges, many farms remained accessible only by foot from the Middle Station. Navigating steep terrain while carrying heavy equipment, coupled with unpredictable weather, made the process even more demanding.

“Farmers are often misunderstood,” Andrew said during the post-screening session. “They’re seen through negative perceptions. I hope viewers approach this film with an open mind… After getting to know these farmers, I realised their knowledge is tremendous.” Farming on the hills requires far more than just agricultural skills, it demands a deep understanding of the environment. These farmers have spent decades reading the terrain, sensing shifts in the weather and finding ways to share their space with the wildlife that comes to feast on the fruits of their labour—literally. Their knowledge, though not framed within scientific terms, is invaluable. As Yong Ah Chye, an Abiu (Pouteria caimito) fruit farmer put it: “Those who don’t observe the hill have no idea about its situation.”

Living on Penang Hill also demands an understanding of communal resources and shared responsibility, especially when it comes to water, a lifeline for the entire community. “If you want to live on the Hill, you must take good care of the water,” one farmer said. The community works together to manage and distribute water fairly, ensuring that every household has access to it.

A Precarious Existence: Land and Livelihoods At Risk

Lives on Penang Hill may sound idyllic—the cool breeze, panoramic views, roses and dahlias blooming in the crisp mountain air—yet, the reality is far from romantic.

“It is very tough to run an orchard,” recalls Lim Weng Heng, a fruit farmer. In earlier times, farmers carried crops downhill on their shoulders and transported fertiliser up the steep slopes. A community-built motorcycle path later eased the journey. Today, there is a new set of challenges. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have made it more difficult to cultivate crops like chrysanthemums and watercress, which thrive in cooler climates. To survive, farmers have had to adapt and switch to different crops.

Land insecurity adds to their struggles. Many do not own the land they work on, relying instead on informal tenancy agreements, leaving their future on the hills indefinite. As the documentary unfolds, a deeper concern becomes evident—very few among the next generation are willing to take up farming. With an aging generation left to tend the land, the future of hill agriculture is increasingly vulnerable.

What Lies Ahead?

As the screening drew to a close, a palpable sense of concern lingered in the air. The audience, visibly moved, expressed deep worry for the future of the farmers.

“What’s next?”

“How can we support these farmers?”

Their questions made one thing clear: the “small voices” captured in the documentary had resonated deeply with those who heard it.

Yes, the challenges are complex, entangled with broader challenges such as sustainable land use, food sovereignty and climate change—but there is hope. PHBR, recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, stands as a promising prospect for the community. It offers the opportunity for Penang Hill to become a living model of sustainability—a place where nature and human communities coexist in harmony, encompassing not only biodiversity conservation, but also socio-economic development and cultural preservation.[2]

Bringing this vision to life requires more than simply inclining our ears to these “small voices”. The local knowledge, social capital and intangible cultural heritage embodied by these farming communities should be seen as invaluable assets for achieving long-term sustainability.

This transformation requires holistic and inclusive decision-making, a shift in governance, and unwavering collective action. Policymakers, researchers, advocates, the farming community and all of us ordinary people who rely on these farmers so we have food to put on our table must play our part. It is a shared responsibility and a test for society to see if we know how to treasure what we have so that it will not disappear.

*Note: As part of this project, a booklet titled The Farmers on Penang Hill: Time Past and Time Present has been published. Those interested in learning more about the farmers’ stories may contact: info.araresearch@gmail.com.

FOOTNOTES

[1] The term “small voices” is borrowed from Ranajit Guha’s work, The Small Voice of History, which highlights the voices of the marginalised, often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.

[2] For more information on the goals and initiatives of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR), visit PHBR’s Official Website: https://phbr.pbbpp.com.my/biosphere-reserve/