N.SEMBILAN PINEAPPLE PROJECT TO BOOST YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE - EXCO

SEREMBAN, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- The Negeri Sembilan state government will roll out a pineapple cultivation project for youth in the first quarter of this year, aimed at boosting young people’s participation in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture, Food Security and Cost of Living Committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, said the state government had, as a first step, identified 12 groups aged 45 and below to participate directly in the pineapple planting industry.

He said the first phase of the project would involve 17,000 MD2 pineapple seeds, which would be distributed to each selected participant at a total cost exceeding RM270,000.

“The participants will be selected in the first quarter of this year, involving (representations) from every state constituency in the state.

“Officers from the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) are providing full support in plantation management, including best agricultural practices, to ensure higher quality and competitiveness of the produce,” he said after officiating the Negeri Sembilan Pineapple Plantation Technology Transfer and Management programme at Klana Resort Seremban today.

Also present was LPNM chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali.

Jalaluddin said the first phase of the programme would serve as a benchmark before it is extended to more youth in the next phase.

He said the state government also planned to establish a pineapple production hub in Juasih, Kuala Pilah, as the area has the largest pineapple output in the state, followed by Rembau and Jelebu.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Umar said that last year, pineapple cultivation and production in the state saw a 165.87 per cent increase in planting area over the past five years, bringing the total to 220.43 hectares involving 278 registered entrepreneurs.

“This shows that pineapple is not just a commodity crop but a growing economic resource that is increasingly gaining popularity among the people of the state,” he said.

--BERNAMA