Sungkai, Perak. Best known for the hot spring and water park!
This is a semi-government farm established through a program called New Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM).
NAAM is a newly launched program (less than 2 years). The purpose is to assist Indian youth through entrepreneurship, business financing and human capital development. The ultimate goal is to boost Indian youth economically in next five years.
Chili farming project under NAAM.
A government supported farm sure is different from private owned farm, it looks well organized and nice.
I talked to the boss in the office, Mr. P (he's 58 this year). I thought this program is supposed for the youth?
After introducing ourselves to each other, we went for a tour around the farm.
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Here is the basic information of the farm:
Type of crop: Chili
Acreage: 10
Planting method: Polybag (cocoa peat) + fertigation system
Basically to plant a chili, it needs two and a half month.
One month in nursery
One and a half month in polybag
You may harvest the chili for 3-4 months (total 120 tonnes for 10 acres if the yield is good)
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Why Chili? Basically two reasons:
- Malaysia are short of chili, but we consume large quantity of them.
- Chili are high in market price (RM 5-8 per kg / USD 1.34-2.14 per kg)
Just look at the typical Malaysian food!
Spicy is our life, we can't imagine life without chili.
Q: Why does Malaysia short of chili?
A: Because planting chili is risky! They are very sensitive and vulnerable to disease and pests (No one wants to be in debt, right?)
The scary disease - chili leaf curl
Chili leaf curl - causes heavy
losses in the yield and quality of fruits. In the initial stages of
growth resulting in no fruit formation. In case any fruit is formed that
remain deformed and undersized.
Mr. P said, out of 10 farmers, only 1 would plant chili, which is why we depends on import of chili from neighbor country, especially Thailand.
Good guy Thailand, saving us from chili shortage.
However, Thailand not only able to provide quantity, they also sell at cheaper price. But it comes at the cost of not-so-safe-to-eat chili. Their regulation on pesticide control is weak.
Uhm, not so good guy...?
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Out of topic post:
His spoken English is really good, I am really surprised when he said that he only studied until grade 5 (11 years old) due to economic restriction. This is how bad the economy of Malaysia at 70s... Not many people have the opportunity to study, be thankful already if you can finish your high school.
However, he did not bow down to the harsh situation. He self learned by reading newspaper. He had to do many part time at the same time. Eventually, he managed to push himself up. Now he is able to send all his kids overseas to study in university.
Salute to this man, seriously.
Much are learned from him today, appreciated.
See you guys! ;)
The
newly-launched New Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) will assist
Indian youth in the country through entrepreneurship, business financing
and human capital development - See more at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/26/naam-to-help-indian-youth-economically/#sthash.y8XRctyt.dpufN
The
newly-launched New Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) will assist
Indian youth in the country through entrepreneurship, business financing
and human capital development - See more at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/26/naam-to-help-indian-youth-economically/#sthash.y8XRctyt.dpuf
New
Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) will assist Indian youth in the
country through entrepreneurship, business financing and human capital
development - See more at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/26/naam-to-help-indian-youth-economically/#sthash.y8XRctyt.dpuf
New
Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) will assist Indian youth in the
country through entrepreneurship, business financing and human capital
development, - See more at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/26/naam-to-help-indian-youth-economically/#sthash.y8XRctyt.dpuf
New
Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) will assist Indian youth in the
country through entrepreneurship, business financing and human capital
development, - See more at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/26/naam-to-help-indian-youth-economically/#sthash.y8XRctyt.dpuf
New
Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) will assist Indian youth in the
country through entrepreneurship, business financing and human capital
development, - See more at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/26/naam-to-help-indian-youth-economically/#sthash.y8XRctyt.dpuf
New
Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM) will assist Indian youth in the
country through entrepreneurship, business financing and human capital
development, - See more at:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/26/naam-to-help-indian-youth-economically/#sthash.y8XRctyt.dpuf
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