MELAKA, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government is offering opportunities to individuals interested in the agricultural sector to utilise idle government land by cultivating pineapple or other crops through applications under the Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) Scheme.
State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman Datuk Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the move aims to empower the people's economy and increase Melaka’s agricultural output, with low rental rates for a period of three years.
“If there are residents who know of state land not being used, they can provide this information to the Department of Agriculture or the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM).
“The state government will assist in the application process to get TOL land so that idle land areas can be utilised and may yield results for the people and the state," he said.
Akmal said this to reporters after officiating the Melaka Pineapple Technology Transfer and Crop Management Programme, which was also attended by LPNM director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M Salleh at Bukit Katil here today.
He said this effort was in line with the rapid growth of the pineapple cultivation industry in Melaka, which recorded a 143 per cent surge in the last five years, making the state one of the highest growth states in the country.
“This surge proves the state government's seriousness, with the support of the federal government, in developing the pineapple industry as a viable sector.
“Additionally, Melaka is also among the first states to practice the 'Plant Once, Harvest Thrice’ concept at the Jasin Correctional Centre, serving as an excellent example for other states in increasing agricultural yields and added value," he said, adding that the current pineapple planting area in Melaka comprises 125.70 hectares.
Meanwhile, he said LPNM received an allocation of RM300,000 under the Food Security Strengthening Programme 2025: Optimising Land Use, in collaboration with the Melaka state government.
-- BERNAMA
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