MINISTRY ALLOCATION SPURS PROGRESSIVE RT INTO AYAM SAGA FARMING

ALOR GAJAH, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The Progressive Rukun Tetangga (RT) of Kampung Gadek took a bold step last November by venturing into ayam saga poultry farming with a RM35,000 allocation from the Ministry of National Unity.

Progressive RT Kampung Gadek secretary Suhaiti Ariffin said the allocation was used to build coops, purchase chicks, farming equipment and feed, all managed within the Agrofarm Sahabat Gadek area here.

Suhaiti, who also manages Agrofarm Sahabat Gadek, said the project began with 300 chicks and has now entered its third phase since September, with growing demand, especially during festive seasons.

“Unlike most other Rukun Tetangga Areas (KRT) which focus on agriculture, we chose to rear ayam saga developed by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), in collaboration with Agrofarm Sahabat Gadek, which is MARDI’s appointed parent stock breeder.

“Although poultry farming carries risks, we were determined to proceed as ayam saga grow faster and reach higher weights than local breeds, offering better profit potential,” she told Bernama recently.

So far, the RT has sold over 600 ayam saga in various forms, including fresh, smoked, frozen and as chicks, involving 10 active committee members.

The chickens are sold at RM17 per kilogramme (live), RM23 per kilogramme (frozen) and RM15 per packet (smoked), with 15 per cent of the sales proceeds channelled back to the RT.

She said sales are made directly to local buyers visiting the farm as well as through programmes organised by the Melaka Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN) and the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) initiative.

“In addition to ayam saga farming, Progressive RT Kampung Gadek also cultivates brinjal using fertigation methods alongside poultry farming to help boost members’ income,” she said.

Meanwhile, RT Progressive Kampung Gadek chairman Ismail Abdul Latif said the chicken and brinjal farming projects have received continuous support, monitoring and assistance from various government agencies, particularly the state JPNIN, MARDI, the Department of Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture.

He said the initiative has not only improved members’ income but also raised awareness of the potential and demand of the ayam saga industry if developed on a larger scale.

“Ayam saga farming is not without risks, especially disease threats if not properly managed, but Alhamdulillah, it has been running smoothly so far.

“We have also organised training for those interested in learning and have become a model reference for ayam saga farming among other RT areas in and outside Melaka,” he said.

Progressive RT Kampung Gadek is one of six Progressive RTs established in Melaka to empower local communities through eight focus areas, namely, livelihood economy, community security and resilience, leadership, community wellbeing, lifelong learning, environment, cultural heritage and innovation.

-- BERNAMA