FGV solidifies agrifood drive with cash crop projects
KUALA LUMPUR: FGV Holdings Bhd has reinforced its agrifood business after piloting cash crop projects involving pineapple, watermelon, banana and freshwater fish farming.
Group chief executive officer Datuk Haris Fadzilah Hassan said the cash crop projects, carried out by FGV Plantations Malaysia Sdn Bhd, are to optimise the 15,000ha allocated for oil palm replanting each year.
The activities will also preserve soil texture and fertility while improving the control of pests and diseases, he said.
“Apart from the side income benefits during the replanting season, FGV has the opportunity to expand contract farming to meet market demand.
“FGV also involves farmers from the B40 group in the area, and channels assistance to them,” Haris Fadzilah said in a statement yesterday.
FGV said more than 430,000 MD2 pineapple trees have been planted in seven phases at the Maokil 7 Estate in Johor since November 2019.
FGV is targeting to produce 188 tonnes of MD2 pineapples this year.
The project has received support from the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB).
This included the supply of 200,000 MD2 pineapple seedlings through the MPIB Premium Programme.
MPIB deputy director-general (development) Mohd Khairuzamri Mohd Salleh said it has provided pineapple management courses to FGV Plantations staff and monitored the crop development.
Meanwhile, FGV’s Krau 4 Estate in Pahang was selected for its watermelon planting project.
The project began in July last year and produced 43 tonnes of watermelons last November.
The project is likely to be expanded, with watermelon production expected to increase to 80 tonnes in August.
FGV has also worked on planting Cavendish bananas intercropped with coconuts at its Paloh Estate in Johor.
The group aims to produce 150 tonnes of Cavendish bananas a month this year for the local and Singapore markets.
In Sabah, Nipah bananas are cultivated at Ladang Sahabat 21, with an expected yield of 20 tonnes this year.
FGV has also embarked on freshwater fish farming projects with tilapia, silver catfish (patin) and sultan fish (jelawat) at its Nenering 2 Gerik Estate in Perak.
It has targeted a return of RM450,000 for a single harvest every five to eight months.