By: Rabiatul Adawiyah binti Sheh Hazlee (Industrial Training Student, PSAS, UPM)

The Kamus Dewan (Fourth Edition) defines the word “nadir” (rare) as something seldom encountered or unusual in nature. In the context of libraries, a rare collection refers to old publications, typically published before the year 1900, that are difficult to obtain because they are out of print or no longer published. For preservation purposes, such materials are usually stored in special locations to ensure their long-term accessibility for future generations.

As a leading research institution with deep historical roots in agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has taken proactive steps through the Sultan Abdul Samad Library (PSAS) to safeguard this scholarly heritage. An initiative led by the Malaysian Agricultural Resources Division (BSPM) gave rise to the Rare Agricultural Collection, a vital effort to gather publications over 50 years old that are now rarely found in the market.

To date, more than 300 rare agricultural book titles have been successfully compiled. These materials, mostly published around the 1950s or earlier, are accessible physically at the Rare Collection Area located at the BSPM Office, Level 2, Block B, Sultan Abdul Samad Library (PSAS). The scholarly value of this collection is significant not only because it preserves the history of agriculture, but it also reflects the evolution of national strategies and development policies from the past to the present. It comprises valuable documents such as early guides for the cultivation of rubber, rice, and oil palm, records of rural development efforts, and local agronomic research that served as the foundation for current innovations. This collection offers a deep insight into how agriculture has shaped the social and economic structure of the nation.

More than just a historical reference, this collection holds practical relevance in today’s context. With global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the urgent need for sustainable food systems, traditional agricultural practices documented in this collection are being revisited as community-based and environmentally friendly alternatives. It provides students and researchers with the opportunity to integrate past knowledge into more inclusive and sustainable contemporary solutions.

The strength of this collection also lies in its potential to drive interdisciplinary research. It is not only valuable in agronomy and agricultural sciences, but also relevant in rural sociology, public policy development, and heritage studies. The collection allows researchers to explore the interconnectedness of land, society, and political power in shaping the agricultural landscape of the nation.

To access this collection, users may browse the list of titles via the KOHA WebOPAC system. Reference requests can be submitted online through the Rare Collection Reference Request Form. After submitting the online form, users will receive feedback via email. For approved requests, physical reference can be made at the Malaysian Agricultural Resources Division (BSPM) from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

In conclusion, the Rare Agricultural Collection is a vital initiative in preserving and utilizing the nation's scholarly treasures. PSAS welcomes students, lecturers, researchers, and the wider community to explore and rediscover past knowledge as a foundation for building a more sustainable future.

For further inquiries, please contact the Malaysian Agricultural Resources Division.

REFERENCES

Bahagian Sumber Pertanian Malaysia | Sultan Abdul Samad Library. (n.d.). https://lib.upm.edu.my/mengenai/bahagian/bahagian_sumber_pertanian_malaysia-28344
Carian umum. (n.d.). https://prpm.dbp.gov.my/Cari1?keyword=nadir&d=243492&
Koleksi Nadir. (n.d.). https://www.pnm.gov.my/sirihpinang/malaysiana/pnm/nadir.htm
Library Collections | Sultan Abdul Samad Library. (n.d.). https://lib.upm.edu.my/content/library_collections-28340?L=en
Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad. (2023). MyLib: Bulletin of Sultan Abdul Samad Library, Issue 27. Universiti Putra Malaysia. https://lib.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/penerbitan/20241001154307MyLib_Bil_27_2023.pdf

Date of Input: 03/07/2025 | Updated: 03/07/2025 | amiruliqhmal