Farmer, MARDI Collaboration Effectiveness Proven With Onion Pioneer Programme

IPOH, 2 Jan (Bernama) -- The Onion Pioneer Entrepreneur programme implemented by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) through strategic collaboration with local farmers continues to demonstrate its effectiveness, with positive progress, particularly in onion cultivation, made by a programme participant in Perak.

Samsul Kamal Buyong, 56, said he began participating in the programme in 2024 on a one-hectare former mining site in Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, with about 0.5 hectares allocated for the cultivation of BAW 1 and BAW 2 onion varieties supplied by MARDI.

The suitability of the land, particularly its good drainage system and lack of waterlogging, was also among the main criteria for his selection as a programme participant.

“I was selected based on my experience in agriculture as well as my willingness to fully comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technologies set by MARDI,” he said in a statement issued by MARDI today, adding that his project also involves the support of 15 workers and is carried out in accordance with agronomic methods and technical monitoring stipulated by the institute.

The onion crop is currently 45 days old and is expected to be harvested for the first time in the middle of this month (January), with an estimated yield of between three and four tonnes, he said.

Samsul Kamal said the achievement clearly demonstrates the potential of onion cultivation to be developed commercially in Malaysia, including on former mining land, provided it is managed with the appropriate technology and agronomic practices.

“Although this is my first experience growing onions on a commercial scale and I am facing the monsoon season, with guidance from MARDI officers, the crop’s progress so far has been very encouraging,” he said.

Samsul Kamal, who hails from Gopeng, also shared that in addition to onions, he cultivates other vegetables such as kangkung and sawi to optimise land use and ensure sustainable income.

Meanwhile, MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said Samsul Kamal’s achievements reflected the success of the institute’s technology transfer to local farmers.

He said MARDI will continue to strengthen the Onion Pioneer Entrepreneur Programme through ongoing research, technology transfer, and technical guidance to ensure onion cultivation can be carried out sustainably, competitively, and is able to meet domestic market needs.

“MARDI remains committed to strengthening this programme through continuous research, technology transfer, and technical guidance to farmers so that onion cultivation can be carried out sustainably, competitively, meet local demand, and potentially penetrate export markets,” he said.

-- BERNAMA