Kenaf growing to go on large scale

ROMPIN, Oct 18 -- Growing of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) for its fibre, currently carried out on a small scale, will be boosted to a large scale to facilitate its commercialisation, in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said the plant had a big potential of giving high returns to the growers, mostly comprising smallholders and paddy farmers, with the government providing various incentives to increase the income of this group.

“For its large-scale cultivation, the plan is to create cluster farms of 20 to 50 hectares in size, developed independently or through cooperation between the government and private sector.

"There should also be collaboration with regard to research and development so as to increase output and create value-added products for the kenaf industry.” 

Wee said this at a media conference after visiting the kenaf-growing areas around Pekan and the Kenaf Processing Centre (PIK) in Tebu Hitam, here. Also present during the visit was state Tourism, Culture, Environment,  Plantations and Commodities Committee chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin. 

He said that in Pahang, the growing of kenaf involved 641 hectares of land and 509 farmers, making the state the biggest producer of dried kenaf amounting to 6,000 tonnes worth RM3 million per season this year. 

The PIK Tebu Hitam, set up to process kenaf, can produce 350 tonnes of the fibre worth RM0.7 million per year.

Kenaf (also known as Deccan hemp and Java jute), mainly used in the pulp and paper industry, and as sound absorber, chipboards and livestock feed, also has the potential of meeting the demand of the local construction industry, estimated at RM10 million per year, besides for export.

-- BERNAMA