Grape Grower Gives Away Free Cuttings To Spur Community Gardening In Gua Musang

GUA MUSANG, June 4 (Bernama) -- A Tasmanian grape grower in Taman Wangsa Mewangi here is turning his harvest into a means of giving back by providing grapes and cuttings free of charge to the community over the past two years. 

Azizul Rahman Hamzah, 50, said nearly 100 visitors have come to his home to obtain cuttings or grape saplings at no cost, in an effort to encourage more people to take up gardening. 

Azizul, who is a cook, said members of the public are also welcome to pick the grapes themselves, which are grown in his yard and now extend about 10 metres beyond the fence of his home. 

He said the idea of giving away the saplings for free came after realising that they are quite expensive on the market. 

“I bought a Tasmanian grape sapling measuring about 0.6 metres for RM90. Because of that, I decided to share my harvest with anyone interested in growing grapes but may not have the budget to purchase the saplings.

“I also share information about growing grapes on Facebook so that more people are aware and can come to collect the fruit or cuttings according to their needs,” he told reporters when met here today. 

According to Azizul, his interest in grape cultivation began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when gardening became a popular hobby among the community. 

He said after seeing the success of several grape farmers in Rawang, Selangor, as well as in Bachok and Machang in Kelantan, he was motivated to try cultivating the plant at his own home. 

He said the results have proven that Tasmanian grapes can thrive and bear fruit in Gua Musang, despite the common perception that they are only suitable for cooler climates. 

“Over the past two years, the grapevines have borne fruit throughout the year. The grapes take about two months to ripen, and I can harvest up to 20 kilogrammes per season. 

“Many people think grapes can only be grown in cool or highland areas, but the climate in Gua Musang is also suitable for this crop,” he said. 

Azizul said grapevines do not require complicated care, apart from sufficient sunlight and water supply. 

He added that the plants thrive with regular pruning and harvesting, and simple fertilisation methods. 

Sharing his hopes, Azizul said he wants to see more locals take up grape cultivation so that it can become a new identity for the district. 

“I don’t mind sharing my blessings with the community. I hope more people will come to get the cuttings so that we can grow grapes together and create an attractive landscape in Gua Musang,” he said. 

-- BERNAMA