Kampung Paloh, Tanah Merah to be a corn valley - MOA sec-gen

TANAH MERAH, Aug  3 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry plans to turn the maize farming project in Kampung Paloh in Tanah Merah as a corn valley, in efforts to step up corn production in the country.

Its secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan said the village was seen to have the potential to be developed as a corn valley as 54 farmers are working on the 32-hectare project site under the supervision of the Tanah Merah Area Farmers Organisation (PPK).

"In achieving this goal, the ministry is urging young people to be involved as currently those participating in the project are the elderly group.

"We also plan to produce corn juice from the lower quality maize crops and commercialise the product as a way to cut down losses," he told a press conference after launching the Kampung Paloh Sweet Corn Farming Project here today.

Mohd Sallehhuddin said this year alone the project had generated RM960,000 in revenue.

"We are currently improving on the existing irrigation system as farmers are having difficulties in watering the crops during the hot season.

"We hope the state government will cooperate in helping to expand the area so that it could be transformed as Kelantan’s corn valley," he said.

Mohd Sallehhuddin added that to improve on the quality of the crops, the ministry was collaborating with various departments including the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Department, Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP) and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).

In addition he said MOH was planning to produce livestock feed which were previously mainly imported from abroad.

-- BERNAMA