Latest news with #Zahari
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM23.4m from KPKM to fuel 20 high-impact projects in Johor
JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 20 high-impact programmes and projects supporting Johor's Food Security Agenda will be carried out this year with an allocation of RM23.4 million. State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the funds were channelled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) under the two-phase Land Optimisation Programme. He said RM9.25 million for phase one was disbursed in February, while RM14.15 million for phase two will be released this month. According to him, the high-impact initiatives, implemented in cooperation with the ministry, include strengthening modern agricultural practices as well as energising the agro-based and aquaculture industries. 'Milk output under the Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV) project will be increased. Upgrades will also be made to Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM), the pineapple and padi industries, permanent farmers' market facilities, agro-tourism initiatives, and youth empowerment in agriculture,' he said in a statement today. Zahari added that the measures are expected to bring widespread benefits to all Johoreans, and he expressed appreciation to the ministry for the allocation. 'The Johor government is fully committed to ensuring every programme and project is successfully delivered, further elevating the agri-food sector in Johor and Malaysia,' he said.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM23.4 million from KPKM to fuel 20 high-impact projects in Johor
JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 20 high-impact programmes and projects supporting Johor's Food Security Agenda will be carried out this year with an allocation of RM23.4 million. State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the funds were channelled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) under the two-phase Land Optimisation Programme. He said RM9.25 million for phase one was disbursed in February, while RM14.15 million for phase two will be released this month. According to him, the high-impact initiatives, implemented in cooperation with the ministry, include strengthening modern agricultural practices as well as energising the agro-based and aquaculture industries. 'Milk output under the Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV) project will be increased. Upgrades will also be made to Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM), the pineapple and padi industries, permanent farmers' market facilities, agro-tourism initiatives, and youth empowerment in agriculture,' he said in a statement today. Zahari added that the measures are expected to bring widespread benefits to all Johoreans, and he expressed appreciation to the ministry for the allocation. 'The Johor government is fully committed to ensuring every programme and project is successfully delivered, further elevating the agri-food sector in Johor and Malaysia,' he said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Johor sets higher aquaculture output target
JOHOR BARU: Johor is targeting an increase in aquaculture production to 38,000 metric tonnes within the next two years as part of a long-term strategy to enhance food security and grow the state's agri-food sector. State agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said efforts are underway to strengthen the sector by encouraging participation from government-linked companies (GLCs) and private entities. 'One of the latest efforts comes from Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ), which is spearheading a pilot white shrimp farming project in Gelang Patah,' he said yesterday. Describing the move as timely and strategic, Zahari said the KPRJ project aligns with the state's priorities to ensure long-term food resilience while creating new economic opportunities. 'Johor's aquaculture production in 2024 is 32,000 metric tonnes, and the state government is targeting an increase to 38,000 metric tonnes by 2027,' he said, adding that high-tech, high-yield farming systems, especially those involving GLCs, are crucial to reaching the target. Zahari added that the pilot project will be developed in the Aquaculture Industrial Zone (ZIA) and will involve the construction of two high-density polyethylene ponds. These ponds, he said, will lay the foundation for commercial-scale white shrimp farming using modern aquaculture techniques to boost yield and reduce environmental impact. The ZIA already houses 12 operational shrimp ponds developed by the Johor Farmers' Organisation and the Johor Baru Southern Area Farmers' Organisation, positioning Gelang Patah as one of the state's most important hubs for aquaculture development. 'With KPRJ's involvement, we expect this area to grow in significance. The shrimp farming project is also part of broader initiatives under the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, which focuses on cross-border collaboration and integrated economic development,' Zahari said. The state government, he added, is optimistic about aquaculture's potential to contribute meaningfully to Johor's economy while reducing reliance on imported seafood. The pilot project will be closely monitored by the state government, with hopes it can be expanded and replicated in other parts of Johor. 'The Johor government is committed to supporting innovative approaches in aquaculture, especially those involving close collaboration between government agencies, GLCs and local farming communities,' Zahari said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Malaysia among world's top countries for certified tropical rainforest areas
KANGAR: More than 83 per cent of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PRF) in this country have been certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or PEFC scheme to date, making Malaysia among the countries with the largest area of certified tropical rainforest in the world. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the achievement also places Malaysia as the only tropical rainforest country in the top 10 globally in terms of certified forest area, surpassing major tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. "This achievement not only proves the effectiveness of state policies but also reflects the commitment to enforcement at the local level as well as the continued determination of the Peninsula Malaysia Forestry Department in practising the principles of sustainable, responsible and competitive forest management on the global stage," he said. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year's state-level International Forest Day celebration, at the South Perlis District Forest Office Square, Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here, today. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Meanwhile, Zahari said that four new areas had been gazetted as PFR, making the total PFR area in the state of Perlis 11,140 hectares last year, compared to 10,870 hectares in 2023. "Congratulations and well done to the state government for this commitment, which should be used as an example to other states in increasing efforts to preserve and conserve priceless natural treasures," he said. He added that 114.72 million trees, comprising 1,972 tree species, had been successfully planted nationwide since the launch of the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Zahari also expressed his appreciation to the Perlis state government for the success of the campaign, which had recorded 1,039,759 trees planted as of May 22, exceeding the initial target of one million trees. – BERNAMA
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Over 83% of Malaysia's PFR under PEFC, places nation in world's top 10
KANGAR: More than 83 per cent of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PRF) in this country have been certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or PEFC scheme to date, making Malaysia among the countries with the largest area of certified tropical rainforest in the world. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the achievement also places Malaysia as the only tropical rainforest country in the top 10 globally in terms of certified forest area, surpassing major tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. 'This achievement not only proves the effectiveness of state policies but also reflects the commitment to enforcement at the local level as well as the continued determination of JPSM (Peninsula Malaysia Forestry Department) in practising the principles of sustainable, responsible and competitive forest management on the global stage,' he said. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year's state-level International Forest Day celebration, at the South Perlis District Forest Office Square, Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here, today. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Meanwhile, Zahari said that four new areas had been gazetted as PFR, making the total PFR area in the state of Perlis to 11,140 hectares last year compared to 10,870 hectares in 2023. 'Congratulations and well done to the state government for this commitment which should be used as an example to other states in increasing efforts to preserve and conserve priceless natural treasures,' he said. He added that 114.72 million trees, comprising 1,972 tree species, had been successfully planted nationwide since the launch of the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Zahari also expressed his appreciation to the Perlis state government for the success of the campaign, which had recorded 1,039,759 trees planted as of May 22, exceeding the initial target of one million trees.
