Terengganu approves RM2.33 mil for agriculture

The Terengganu government has approved a RM2.33 million allocation to the Agriculture Department to develop the agriculture sector in the state this year.

State executive councillor for agriculture and agro-based industry Asha'ari Idris said in addition, the Federal government has also allocated RM686,000 to the department for the same purpose.

"The focus of the allocation is to develop the paddy industry, fruits, vegetables and agro-based developments," he told reporters after the award and appreciation ceremony to winners of state level HPPN 2012 here today.

Also present was Terengganu Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP) Shamsuddin Mat Rani.

Asha'ari said the development of fruit industry involved a 435-hectare (ha) area while vegetables and crops will cover 318ha.

He said among the focus of the fruit industry are integration of salak palms, revival of commercial clone plantations, melon fertigation and planting of nangka madu.

Meanwhile, vegetable farming will include open fertigation farming, honey pumpkin and vitato crop.

Asha'ari said the Agriculture Department will also concentrate on agro-based development as part of its agriculture products this year.

"To date, there are 1,010 small and medium enterprises (SME) entrepreneurs who have benefitted from this programme," he said.

Apart from that, the Agriculture Department is also focusing on growing rambutan trees, cocunut project at Kampung Kubang Puyu in Setiu (200ha), mushroom industry and honey production.

He said the agriculture entrepreneurs are given the opportunities to participate in Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM) and incubator projects at PLPP Tok Dor in Besut.

At the ceremony, the winners of the Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day contest received their respective prizes from Asha'ari who is also Langkap state assemblyman.