KEDA OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEVELOPING 'KEDA FOOD VALLEY'

KUALA NERANG, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) is optimistic about developing a food valley (KEDA Food Valley) within its operational areas to address food security issues and boost the country’s agricultural and food production.

Its general manager, Ismasuhaimi Shariff, said to realise this initiative, KEDA would request a budget of RM12 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the development of 218 hectares of land across several districts within its operational areas.

“This project will focus on developing idle land in major districts such as Padang Terap, Baling, and Sik. We will focus on crops and livestock that have low self-sufficiency levels in the country (SSL),” he said.

Speaking to the press after visiting an organic kampung chicken farm in Kampung Pokok Machang today, he added that another key focus for the agency would be the provision of poultry feed, which has significant potential in the livestock industry. To start, KEDA plans to request RM2 million under the First Rolling Plan (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Ismasuhaimi said that as of this year, KEDA has developed 675 hectares of land for various crops, including rice (484 hectares), bananas (70 hectares), pineapples (33 hectares), corn (22 hectares), watermelon (11 hectares), aquaculture (4 hectares), and cattle farming (2.7 hectares), generating an income of RM10.174 million for the farmers.

“We will also expand into premium foods with high added value for farmers, as well as premium livestock with high market prices, such as organic chicken. God willing, in the future, we will also produce poultry and other ruminant feed, creating a beneficial ecosystem for the entire livestock sector in Kedah,” he said.

Meanwhile, organic kampung chicken farmer Mohd Rosli Hasyim, 56, expressed gratitude to KEDA for providing egg incubator machines and poultry feed processing equipment to help further develop his project.

“I started this organic chicken project six years ago, initially raising just 100 chickens. Little by little, it has grown to 2,500 chickens. My target is 10,000 chickens, but I faced challenges in hatching eggs due to a lack of incubator machines. I really hope KEDA can help so that the project can become more successful,” he said.

Mohd Rosli said that he is currently unable to meet the high demand for organic kampung chicken in the area and requires around 1,000 chicks each month.

In a separate development, KEDA also organised a visit to show support for the fire victims in Desa KEDA Bendang Tok Teri, Naka. The victims, Zamri Zakaria, 56, and his wife Siti Fatimah Saad, 60, lost their home in a fire around 5 pm on Nov 25, the house, which they had lived in for 20 years, was completely destroyed.

According to Ismasuhaimi, to assist the couple, KEDA has provided temporary accommodation near the site of the destroyed house while a new home is being built for them.

"KEDA is currently in the process of investigation and evaluation for the reconstruction of the house, which was almost 90 per cent destroyed, and has submitted a request for the Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera (PPRS).

“The reconstruction project is expected to cost RM79,000. Additionally, we have provided emergency food aid worth RM100, including rice, flour, sugar, coffee, cooking oil, and RM200 in cash. We also provided basic household items worth RM1,700, such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, fans, electric kettles, rice cookers, plates, cups, pots, gas cylinders, sinks, mats, and shelves," he said.

Zamri expressed his deep gratitude to KEDA for providing them with temporary housing and supplying essential goods and hoped the new house will be built with KEDA's assistance soon.

-- BERNAMA