Latest news with #SaaraniMohamad
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
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Perak to expand onion cultivation with allocation from federal govt
GOPENG: Onion cultivation in Perak will be expanded to three other districts in the state with an additional RM1.4mil allocation by the Federal Government, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar stated that the pilot project began in the Batang Padang district and would be expanded to the Kuala Kangsar, Muallim, and Perak Tengah districts. He said the state would identify the areas that meet the criteria for growing onions. 'We have begun branding them as 'Perak onions'. They are tasty and sweet,' he told reporters at the closing of The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Fest 2025 at the Rural Transformation Centre here on Sunday (June 1). 'Even though onions can technically be planted anywhere, we need to find the most suitable land to get the best quality onions,' he added. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, was also present. In his speech at the event, Arthur stated that the successful production of Perak onions was a commendable achievement, and it was the first commercially produced onions in Malaysia. He said this success is the result of a collaborative effort between the Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi). 'The ministry has allocated an additional RM1.4mil to Perak to expand the cultivation area for the onions this year,' he said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Perak to expand onion cultivation to more districts
GOPENG: Perak will expand the cultivation of the BAW-1 red onion variety, also known as Bawang Perak, to several districts identified as suitable for the crop. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the districts include Kuala Kangsar, Muallim and Perak Tengah, in addition to Kampung Ladang Bikam in Sungkai, Batang Padang, which began planting the variety last year. 'We will open new areas that meet the criteria for onion cultivation, as it must be grown on fertile soil to produce high-quality yields. Bawang Perak is known for its sweet and flavourful taste, which adds to its market appeal. 'So far, four districts have been identified as suitable, and we will expand to several more,' he told reporters after launching the FAMA Fest 2025 @ Perak at the Rural Transformation Centre here today. Also present were Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun. Saarani said a total of 12.4 metric tonnes of Bawang Perak was produced last year from a nine-hectare cultivation area. Earlier, in his speech, Arthur mentioned that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has allocated an additional RM1.4 million this year to expand the cultivation of the variety. He said the commercial-scale production of Bawang Perak - the first of its kind in the country - was a significant milestone made possible through collaboration between the Perak Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
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
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
PAFA plan to join A1 League next season
IPOH: The Perak Football Association (PAFA) are planning to compete in the A1 League organised by the Malaysia Amateur Football League (AFL) next season, taking a proactive step to ensure the state's proud football legacy lives on and grows. PAFA, in a statement posted on the official Perak FA Facebook page, said its main focus at present is to build a team around the Perak Malaysia Games (SUKMA) squad, which will form the backbone of The Bos Gaurus' domestic revival. 'Planning is actively under way to enter the AFL‑organised League as a starting point, while also making long‑term preparations for SUKMA 2026, the 2026 President's Cup and the 2026 Youth Cup. 'We greatly appreciate the strong support of the state government led by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, who has always been attentive and committed to helping PAFA drive football development in the state,' the statement said. On 22 May, AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi welcomed the participation of Perak and Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC) in the A1 League after both clubs failed to secure the National Licence, ending the 2018 Malaysia Cup champions' (Perak FC's) hopes of playing in next season's Super League. The two teams' failure to meet the financial criteria laid out in the Malaysian Football League Club Licensing Regulations 2024‑2025 (MFL CLR) was the main reason their national licences were rejected. PAFA said its president, Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, has already held a series of strategic meetings with senior football leaders, including Mohd Yusoff, to discuss direction, eligibility and entry requirements for the Amateur League, President's Cup, Youth Cup, A1 League, and future national‑licence applications. As the state's governing body for football, PAFA acknowledged fans' disappointment but called for everyone to unite, rebuild and sow fresh hope. 'We do not promise miracles, but we promise extraordinary resolve and determination, a fighting spirit that never knows defeat. Stay with us — for the crest, for honour, for Perak Darul Ridzuan,' the statement said. PAFA noted that the 'PAFA 2.0' resurgence is no coincidence but a carefully structured recovery mission outlined in the PAFA Strategic Plan 2035. Mohd Azhar took over the association on 8 Feb 2024 and inherited RM5 million in debt from the previous management. 'Nevertheless, today's PAFA chooses not to point fingers. Instead, we choose to move forward with new strategies, plans and direction,' the statement added.
