Perak expands onion cultivation to boost food security
GOPENG: Perak has identified several districts to expand cultivation of BW1-type local onions, aiming to enhance the state's food security and reduce reliance on imports.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad announced that Kuala Kangsar, Muallim, and Perak Tengah have been earmarked as the latest districts for this initiative.
He said this follows the success of a one-hectare pilot project at Kampung Kuala Bikam in the Batang Padang district, which yielded 3.3 tonnes of onions during its first harvest last April.
"While onion cultivation can technically be done anywhere, it is essential to identify the most suitable land to ensure quality produce.
"This is crucial because we have begun branding Perak onions, which are known for their sweet and tasty qualities, attracting buyers," he told reporters after launching the Perak Fama Fest 2025 at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Gopeng today.
Also present was Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
The event, running from 29 May to 2 June, features over 200 entrepreneurs showcasing their products.
Following the impressive onion production, Arthur also announced an additional RM1.4 million in funding to expand the cultivation area for Perak onions this year.
Saarani expressed satisfaction with the growing participation, variety of products, and sales growth among young agropreneurs at the event.
"This demonstrates that the efforts by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry together with the main organisers have successfully boosted agricultural output both nationally and within Perak," he said.
Saarani also highlighted the risks of dependence on imported agricultural products, citing price volatility linked to currency fluctuations and supply disruptions.
"Sometimes, we wait for imported chillies, vegetables, or meat, which makes us reliant on foreign products. This is not ideal for Malaysia."
"Lessons were learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and natural disasters affecting producing countries such as India and Turkey, which have driven up prices of essential commodities like onions and wheat.
"This is why we want Malaysians, especially in Perak, to engage in agriculture. Food security is one of the nine pillars in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan," he said.
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