LKTN targets to grow 20 hectares of kenaf in Melaka

MELAKA, Jan 29  -- The National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) is targeting to increase kenaf cultivation in Melaka this year to 20 hectares from 9.7 hectares last year.

LKTN Melaka officer Kamaludin SK Maidin Abd Kadir said this would be implemented through the Bioretting Smallholders scheme which is offering crop incentives of RM2,385 per hectare.

"Under this scheme, growers who cultivate their farms individually can cultivate kenaf on a land area of up to 5 hectares and if undertaken by a group the land area should be 10 hectares and above.

"In addition there is also the in-situ processing incentives whereby kenaf processing facilities are  offered  on loan and the buyback arrangement through contract farming," he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.

He said kenaf cultivation activities started in Melaka on a small scale in  2010 and the first pilot project in the state was implemented in 2019 involving 13 hectares of land which resulted in production of 98.461 tonnes from 9.2 hectares of land, amounting to RM49,230.50.

"However, in 2020, the land cultivation area decreased to 9.7 hectares where the yield was 68,243 tonnes from 7 hectares, giving a return of RM34,121.50 to the participants," he said.

Last year 16 participants registered with LKTN and the agency is in the midst  of gathering details of those who will joining the programme this year, he added.

-- BERNAMA