LAHAD DATU: Two sons of settlers in Felda Sahabat near here have proved that there is money to be made through integrated cattle rearing and dragon fruit cultivation by taking advantage of the opportunities provided by Felda.
Felda provided land as well as advice and guidance on how to successfully carry out integrated cattle rearing to Bakri Pawerdi, 34, and on dragon fruit cultivation to Mohd Fadly Sultan, 30.
Because of that and the determination of these two young men they are able to earn RM78,000 to RM1 million a year.
Mohd Fadly has been growing dragon fruit since 2011 and to date 5,000 trees have been planted on seven hectares of land provided by Felda at Felda Sahabat 1, Kampung Anjung Teduh.
According to him, he chose to plant dragon fruit as its market is still new and the fruit can also produce many downstream products.
He said at present, there were 2,000 fruit trees in his field producing one and a half tonnes (1,500 kilogrammes) a month with a gross income of RM12,000.
The dragon fruit is in high demand and is currently being marketed in this district, in Tawau, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu, he said during a visit by Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Senator Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin to Felda Sahabat near here, recently.
Mohd Fadly said besides his determination, the dragon fruit cultivation was successful due to the opportunity given by Felda in providing the site and giving full support.
As such, he is confident that the Settlers’ Development Programme (PPP), which will be Felda’s focus this year, will enable more children of settlers to venture into agriculture and livestock activities.
“The PPP aims to create additional income streams for the settlers so that they no longer have to depend entirely on oil palm,” said Mohd Fadly who has four employees among the youth in Felda Sahabat.
Meanwhile, another settler’s son Bakri rears beef cattle in Felda Sahabat 2, Cenderawasih which is now one of the main suppliers of beef cattle in the state.
According to Bakri, he started the integration of cattle farm with oil palm cultivation in 2004 with 20 cows and currently has 3,350 cows.
He chose to rear cattle because of the high demand for cattle from his farm which is not only a major supplier in Sabah and for Sarawak, but even for the neighbouring country of Brunei.
“This success is due to the encouragement and support provided by Felda especially giving permission for free grazing area for the cattle as well as the advice and guidance provided,” said Bakri who received the ‘Usahawan Penternak Jaya’ award in conjunction with National Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen Day 2017.
He said as many as 600 to 1,000 head of cattle a year could be supplied from his livestock farm with a gross income of RM1 million a year.
Bakri’s integrated cattle ranch also provided employment opportunities to 52 workers, who were among the settlers and youths in Felda Sahabat.
In the meantime, Bakri believes Felda’s implementation of the PPP will not only help settlers’ children in the process of increasing their income, but also provide opportunities for other settlers who are currently working on integrated cattle farming on a small scale. – Bernama
