PASIR PUTEH, Oct 29 (Bernama) — The government encourages the country’s B40 and asnaf (tithe) groups to venture into the agricultural field, namely growing pineapples, either individually or in groups to generate income.
DeputyAgriculture and Food Industries Minister II Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said this was because the monthly income of pineapple growers could reach as high as between RM5,000 and RM8,000 per hectare based on the high demand from overseas.
“The country’s pineapple export is expected to grow at a rate of five per cent annually following the increased demand for fresh pineapples and canned pineapple products.
“As such, we encourage the B40 and asnaf groups to venture into the field of agriculture because we will provide them with training on planting methods and free pineapple stalks for planting,” he said.
He told reporters this after the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) of Kelantan’s “Eat Fresh Pineapple” Promotion at the Pasir Puteh District Council Hall here today, which was also attended by LPNM deputy director-general (operations) Onn Abdul Shukur Tahiruddin.
Meanwhile, Nik Muhammad Zawawi said that for the pineapple industry in Kelantan, a total of RM10,000 had been given to five participants under the Pineapple Planting Technology Transformation and Management Project.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency