AGROPRENEUR REAPS SUCCESS WITH FERTIGATION SYSTEM IN CUCUMBER FARMING

Unlike in the past, modern farming no longer demands toiling under the scorching sun, relying solely on physical labour, or getting covered in mud.

For many, farming was never seen as a viable career path — until now.

This shift has transformed the lives of participants in the Kuala Langat Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK), whose cucumber cultivation using fertigation technology has delivered impressive results.

 The outdated perception of farming as merely a ‘village job’ has faded. Today, there's no longer any shame in pursuing agriculture, which is increasingly seen as a viable and lucrative source of income.

Thanks to technological advancements, the sector has embraced various modern techniques—among them, the fertigation method, which has transformed how crops are cultivated.

JUST GIVING IT A TRY

For Mohammad Amril Hussain, 38, agriculture was never his career of choice. However, driven by the need to sustain a livelihood, he took a leap of faith and became an agropreneur six years ago.

Amril successfully runs his fertigation-based cucumber farm in Telok Mengkuang, Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor.

The former takaful (Islamic insurance) consultant shared that what began as a tentative step has since grown into a true passion.

“I worked in takaful for three years. As many people know, the income can be unpredictable—sometimes it rises, sometimes it falls. That uncertainty led me to search for a more stable source of income.

 “Around 2019, I started seeing a lot of agriculture-related programs on TV, which sparked my interest. At the same time, PPK Kuala Langat happened to be offering opportunities for new participants—so I seized the chance,” he told Bernama recently.

He said that although he had no background in farming or prior knowledge of agriculture, he took the initiative to enrol in courses offered by PPK to prepare himself.

Reflecting on his journey, Amril admitted that the first year was challenging as he adapted to life on the farm. But now, he says the old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ holds true after years in the field.

“In the beginning, it was all about learning—how to plant correctly and care for the cucumbers. I gained a lot of knowledge from PPK officers, and they monitored our work closely to ensure a good harvest.

“By the third year, I had gained enough experience to truly understand the ins and outs of cucumber cultivation,” he added.

Today, Amril successfully runs his fertigation-based cucumber farm in Telok Mengkuang, Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor.

USING IoT

Amril shared that the fertigation-based cucumber farming method introduced by PPK has significantly transformed the way agropreneurs like him operate.

Describing agriculture as a field that is rapidly evolving through innovation, he noted that technological advancements have not only simplified farming tasks but also enhanced the quality of crops.

“Fertigation is a modern agricultural technique that benefits plants by allowing fertilising and watering to take place simultaneously.

 “We also integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which enables us to control the fertilisation and irrigation process for cucumbers through a mobile app,” said Amril, who resides in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

He explained that the fertigation system is far more convenient and flexible compared to traditional manual methods, which typically require farmers to spend seven to eight hours a day in the fields managing watering and fertilising tasks.

The use of IoT into fertigation also allows for real-time monitoring of soil moisture and fertiliser needs, ensuring optimal crop care throughout the growth cycle.

In addition to improving efficiency, the system offers broader benefits, including a significant reduction in labour costs, as both fertilising and irrigation can be managed remotely with just a few taps on a smartphone.

“The app we use also enables more precise fertilisation tailored to each stage of plant growth. From seedling to maturity, the fertiliser composition is adjusted accordingly,” he explained.

The cucumbers are harvested twice every two months, with each polybag capable of producing up to five kilogrammes of cucumbers

“Ensuring each plant receives the right amount of nutrients is crucial for achieving uniform cucumber growth,” he added, noting that with this system in place, they now only need to visit the farm about three times a week.

Amril also said that the use of this technology not only boosts crop yield and quality, but also reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases and pest infestations.

GENERATING INCOME

As a participant, Amril was allocated 2,000 polybags for fertigation-based cucumber cultivation.

The cucumbers are harvested twice every two months, with each polybag capable of producing up to five kilogrammes of cucumbers.

“PPK has set its own production targets—participants managing 2,000 polybags are expected to yield a minimum of 10 tonnes of cucumbers.

“Our income is directly tied to the harvest output, and on average, we earn between RM6,000 to RM8,000 per harvest,” he shared, adding that premium-grade cucumbers, which are more uniformly straight, can weigh up to 1 kilogramme per three fruits.

Meanwhile, PPK Kuala Langat General Manager Ahmad Firdaus Abdul Halim said the organisation remains committed to helping participants generate higher incomes from their agricultural ventures.

He noted that the adoption of modern technologies allows farmers to benefit from a more stable income through systematic and efficient farming practices.

Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enable to control the fertilisation and irrigation process for cucumbers through a mobile app.

“This farm spans five acres and accommodates 18,000 polybags. To date, nine participants have successfully cultivated cucumbers using the fertigation method,” he said, adding that the entire farm is fully monitored via IoT technology.

SUPPORTING AGROPRENEURS

Ahmad Firdaus added that PPK Kuala Langat not only provides training and courses for farmers but also plays an active role in helping them market their produce.

“All harvested cucumbers are brought to the PPK Kuala Langat Agricultural Produce Collection Centre (PPHP).

“From there, we assist farmers in securing wholesale buyers and distributing the produce to supermarkets or factories, ensuring the cucumbers are sold at competitive prices,” he said.

 He also noted that PPK receives allocations from the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) to support agropreneurs in upgrading their farm infrastructure.

 “PPK now serves as a centre for agricultural transformation and a reference hub for entrepreneurs and farmers adopting the latest technologies to produce high-quality crops.

"With continuous support, cucumber farming can provide lucrative returns for farmers and indirectly boost the agricultural sector in Telok Panglima Garang," he said.

— BERNAMA