Saturday, December 20, 2008

KELANTAN SET TO BECOME TOP LEMON GRASS PRODUCER

KOTA BAHARU, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Kelantan may become the country's top lemon grass producer when a joint-venture project, Ladang Rakyat Herbs Sdn Berhad, a subsidiary of Perbadanan Pembangunan Ladang Rakyat Negeri Kelantan, and Eratrans Resources Sdn Bhd, starts producing yield in June next year.

Perbadanan Pembangunan Ladang Rakyat Kelantan executive chairman Apandi Mohamad said Eratrans Resources will supply the agriculture inputs such as farm tools, fertilizer and weedkillers while the corporation will provide the land and workers comprising local youths.

"Every participant will be given RM200 monthly allowance and the amount will be raised to RM800 when the lemon grass matures in June next year," he said after an agreement-signing ceremony witnessed by Perbadanan Ladang Rakyat Negeri Kelantan chief executive officer Dr Nazmi Ghazali Azmi.

Apandi said they expect to harvest RM16,000 worth of lemon grass for every 0.4 hectares and will be sold to herbal entrepreneurs in the country.

The RM4.3 million project, covering 180 hectares, encompasses 45 state constituencies in Kelantan. Ten farmers will be involved in every constituency.

Eratrans Resources managing director Azman Maarof said the market for lemon grass was wide open and "we expect to market the first yield in June next year."

"There is good market for lemon grass and many herbal entrepreneurs have asked for supply from us," he said.

Azman said every farmer will be taught the right way to plant lemon grass and to take care of the crop until harvest.

"The farmers will be given incentive allowance while waiting for six months to harvest the yield. The money is to spur them to work hard to increase the yield," he added.

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