| Lyna Mohamad |
THE Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong called on farmers not to solely rely on profits on seasonal fruits such as durian, rambutan and kembayau (wild olive) but, to also plant unseasonal fruits such as pomelo, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, soursop and banana as well as other plantations such as corn, lemongrass and turmeric.
The minister made this call to local farmers during his working visit to the Rural Agricultural Development Area (KPLB) yesterday. The visit began at the KPLB Bukit Sulang, Mukim Lamunin.
KPLB Sulang Farm measures 99 hectares of land cultivated by 52 farmers led by Mohd Jenin bin Burut, who began planting seasonal fruits on this farm in 1994 and produced 17 metric tonnes of fruit last year valued more than $40,000.
The minister also visited KPLB Tabalu Farm in Mukim Kiudang where the farm produced eight metric tonnes of fruits valued at $16,000 in 2017.
Headed by Haji Muhd Hamda bin Abdullah Anja, the farm was opened in 2004 where the 21.3 hectares farm is run by 69 farmers who also planted bananas to make an extra income.
The minister next visited the KPLB Santol B, Kampong Sinaut Farm that began its operation in 1996 by 41 farmers, led by Haji Abdul Razak bin Haji Mohd Yusof, and produced 18.4 metric tonnes of fruit amounting to more than $45,000.
Yesterday’s working visit by the minister concluded at the KPLB Kupang Farm, Mukim Keriam. The 6.75 hectares farm began operation in 2003 with farmers led by Haji Saidis bin Haji Damit, planted seasonal fruits such as durian, cempedak, kembayau, tarap and mata kuching and produced 1.3 metric tonnes of fruits valued at more than $5,000 last year.
During the visit, the minister was informed on the main challenges faced by the farmers, which are: farm road conditions affected by landslides due to the rainy season, insufficient supply of fertiliser and plants, and pest attacks by monkeys and wild boar, which he took note and will be discussed by relevant parties to tackle the issue.
On the insufficiency of plant fertiliser, the minister suggested the farmers to try purchasing the fertiliser in groups to get a better bargain from the suppliers, local and abroad. To get fertiliser supplies from abroad, the farmers were advised to get the import permits from the ministry through its Biosecurity Division of the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.
Also present during the working visit were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin; Director of Agriculture and Agrifood, Hajah Aidah binti Haji Mohd Hanifah as well as senior officers and officers of MPRT and Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.