Settlers: Government should consider livestock rearing as alternative

ROMPIN, July 7 (Bernama) -- The Felda settlers hope the government can consider the livestock industry as an alternative for them if they (settlers) are not to depend solely on rubber and oil palm.

Terengganu’s Kampung Felda Jerangau Barat community management council chairman Ngah Zakaria, 57, said that the livestock industry, whether cattle, goat or chicken had good market and value.

“Breeding livestock also do not require a large area… a small area in the plantation is enough for a chicken coop or a stall while the cows can be allowed to graze in the plantation area.

“If I have to choose, I would prefer livestock breeding compared to vegetable or fruit farming which require certain skills and equipment, as well as needing more attention,” he told Bernama here today.

He was met at the 2019 National Level Felda Settlers’ Day celebration at Felda Selancar 3 here, today which was opened by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who also launched the Settlers Development Programme (SDP), which is the new business model of Felda.

Through the SDP, the government aspired to merge the Felda plantations to become larger estates to generate a better income for the settlers, as well as enabling the land to be cultivated with other crops to reduce dependence on rubber and oil palm.

However, a Pahang, Felda Triang 1, settler Salmah Mohd Nordin, 56, feared that the start up capital for the new venture would be susbtantial as it would entail planting a crop on a large scale.

“Nowadays, the settlers are not as well-off as before because the prices of the commodities have dropped. So, I feel it is tough for most people if they have to cough up their own money for the new venture.

“Perhaps, the government and the Felda management need to look at this closely. All these while, we are synonymous with rubber and oil palm, so to change… this will surely need time new knowledge,” she said.

A Terengganu Felda Kertih 3 settler, Ahmad Sulaiman, 63, hoped that the Felda management would provide give a clearer explanation of the implementation of SDP so they would comprehend its essence and it would not be distorted by irresponsible parties.

Meanwhile, a Pahang, Felda Wilayah Mempaga, second generation settler, Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Taib, 27, said that, among the assurances that the government had to give before implementing the SDP, was the market for the new crop.

“There are buyers for the oil palm fruits even though the price is fluctuating. This, to a certain extent, allows the settlers to earn a monthly income, even though there are times that we suffer losses.

“To cultivate something else, we have to explore new markets but most of the other crops produced already have their own suppliers. So, it would probably be difficult for us to penetrate these markets,” he said.

-- BERNAMA