Latest news with #Saarani
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Perak to grow onions in more districts
Domestic crop: Perak cultivates Malaysia's first commercially produced onion. GOPENG: The silver state, which has begun branding its commercial onion cultivation as 'Perak onions', will expand farming to three more districts with a further RM1.4mil allocation from the Federal Government. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the pilot project started in the Batang Padang district last year. This would be expanded to the Kuala Kangsar, Muallim and Perak Tengah districts. Perak has the distinction of pioneering Malaysia's first commercially produced onion. Saarani said 'Perak onions' are found to be tasty and sweet. 'This makes them attractive to buyers,' he told reporters at the closing of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Fest 2025 at the Rural Transformation Centre here yesterday. Also present was Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. Saarani said the state would identify the areas that meet the criteria for growing onions. 'The crop requires fertile soil so that it can produce good yields,' he added. Saarani said it was important to ensure the districts have suitable land because onions require the right type of soil to grow quality produce. 'Even though they can be planted anywhere, we need to find the most suitable land because that is what will yield good onions,' he added. Arthur, in his speech, said one of the most commendable achievements is the successful production of Perak onions. He said this success is the result of a collaborative effort between the Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute. 'Thus, the ministry has allocated an additional RM1.4mil to Perak to expand the cultivation area for onions this year,' he said. It was reported in April last year that Perak was the first state in Malaysia to harvest around 2.3 tonnes of the BW1 onions at a site in Kampung Ladang Bikam. Perak is reported to be one of six states that will be the main producer of BW1 onions for domestic consumption. On the Fama Fest, Saarani said he was pleased there had been an increase in participants with more products, more young agropreneurs and higher sales. 'As I mention often, my slogan for Perak is 'plant what we want to eat, eat what we plant, the surplus can be sold or donated.'' 'The goal is to encourage more people in Perak to take up farming, so that we don't have to depend on imports. 'Sometimes we have to wait for chilies from abroad. When our currency drops, prices go up. And sometimes we wait for vegetables or meat from overseas. 'This makes us Malaysians dependent on agricultural products from other countries and that is not good,' he said. Saarani also spoke about the impact of global happenings such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia war and how prices of onions soared in India when it went through severe weather conditions. As such, he said it is important for Malaysians, especially for the people of Perak, to get involved in farming.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Govt clearing path for more young farmers
Sowing seeds of progress: Saarani (centre) at a ceremony for Fama Fest 2025 @ Perak at the Gopeng Rural Transformation Centre, flanked by Arthur (left) and Fama chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli. — Bernama GOPENG: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is intensifying efforts to attract more youth into agriculture as the country grapples with an ageing farmer population, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. Acknowledging that many farmers were now in their 60s, the Deputy Minister said the issue was not unique to Malaysia but part of a global trend. The country is implementing targeted measures to address the issue, he added. 'We are taking proactive steps to attract more young people to take part in the agriculture sector,' he told reporters after joining Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad to close the Fama Fest 2025 at the Gopeng Rural Transformation Centre, yesterday. Arthur was commenting on the preliminary findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census, which noted that Malaysians aged over 60 make up the largest segment of the country's farmers while around 90% of farmers had only completed their education up to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia level. The census – the first in more than two decades – aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the country's agricultural and food production landscape. Arthur said among the key initiatives was organising programmes such as Fama Fest to create wider market access for young agropreneurs. He said these events not only helped promote and sell agricultural products but also highlighted the sector's potential for generating lucrative income. 'We want to show that the agriculture and agri-food industry is a viable and profitable career path. 'The ministry is also advocating for a shift away from conventional farming methods to modern, technology-driven agriculture,' said Arthur. 'This includes the use of innovation in every aspect of the industry, from production to operations, and creating a broader ecosystem of employment opportunities,' he added. Arthur said the ministry was also actively promoting agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes. 'These courses, which cover areas such as livestock, fisheries and vegetable farming, are fully funded by the government, including accommodation and daily expenses, to make them more accessible to youth. 'There is also a need for cooperation from state governments. It is important that land and financing are made available to ensure young people have the resources to grow and expand their agricultural ventures.' Arthur said the ministry hoped that these combined efforts would revitalise the sector, ensuring food security and sustainability for the future.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Three Belgian firms to visit Lumut Maritime Industrial City in June
BATU GAJAH: Three Belgian investment companies are scheduled to visit the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) this June, following the Perak government's official visit to Europe last week. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the companies are Belgian Scrap Terminal (BST), Soenen Group Green Vessel Recycling, and Steinberg Logistics International. 'BST specialises in separating recyclable materials and has expertise in dismantling and recycling old ships. 'Soenen focuses on sustainable ship disposal and refurbishment, while Steinberg offers integrated logistics services that support the maritime industry ecosystem,' he told a press conference after the State Government's Customer Engagement Day (Series 3/2025) here today. Saarani added that French multinational company Saint-Gobain, which operates in the Kanthan Industrial Park, Chemor, has also expressed interest in expanding its operations. He said the company plans to invest an additional RM200 million, and the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) has proposed relocating its operations to the Silver Valley Technology Park (SVTP). 'Saint-Gobain has visited SVTP to evaluate its suitability for the new investment,' he said. On a separate matter, Saarani addressed public complaints about livestock roaming on roads, which pose safety risks to motorists. He urged farmers to use designated grazing areas to help resolve the issue. 'The presence of roaming animals not only disrupts farming activities but also endangers road users. 'These animals often enter fenced farmland and have become a source of frequent complaints from residents,' he said. He added that cattle and buffaloes, usually raised by small-scale farmers without proper enclosures, often wander onto roads and farmland, which has become a serious concern.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Three Belgian Firms To Visit Lumut Maritime Industrial City In June
BATU GAJAH, May 26 (Bernama) -- Three Belgian investment companies are scheduled to visit the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) this June, following the Perak government's official visit to Europe last week. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the companies are Belgian Scrap Terminal (BST), Soenen Group Green Vessel Recycling, and Steinberg Logistics International. 'BST specialises in separating recyclable materials and has expertise in dismantling and recycling old ships. 'Soenen focuses on sustainable ship disposal and refurbishment, while Steinberg offers integrated logistics services that support the maritime industry ecosystem,' he told a press conference after the State Government's Customer Engagement Day (Series 3/2025) here today. Saarani added that French multinational company Saint-Gobain, which operates in the Kanthan Industrial Park, Chemor, has also expressed interest in expanding its operations. He said the company plans to invest an additional RM200 million, and the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) has proposed relocating its operations to the Silver Valley Technology Park (SVTP). 'Saint-Gobain has visited SVTP to evaluate its suitability for the new investment,' he said. On a separate matter, Saarani addressed public complaints about livestock roaming on roads, which pose safety risks to motorists. He urged farmers to use designated grazing areas to help resolve the issue. 'The presence of roaming animals not only disrupts farming activities but also endangers road users.
