FGV Holdings Bhd

04/07/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/07/2021 02:10

FGV’s Cash Crop Pilot Projects Produce Results

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 April 2021: FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) through its subsidiary FGV Plantations Malaysia Sdn Bhd (FGVPM) further strengthens its business potential in the field of agrifood through cash crop pilot projects for pineapple, watermelon, banana and freshwater fish farming.

Dato' Haris Fadzilah Hassan, FGV's Group Chief Executive Officer said the cash crop planting projects were implemented to optimise the use of 15,000 hectares of land allocated for oil palm replanting each year. This activity also preserves soil texture and fertility as well as improves the control of pests and diseases.

'Apart from the side income benefits during the replanting season, FGV has the opportunity to expand contract farming activities to meet local market demand. FGV also involves farmers from the B40 group in the area, and channels various support and assistance to them,' explained Haris Fadzilah.

More than 430,000 MD2 pineapple trees have been planted in seven phases at FGV's Maokil 7 Estate, Johor

Starting November 2019, more than 430,000 MD2 pineapple trees have been planted in seven phases at FGV's Maokil 7 Estate, Johor. For 2021, the production target for MD2 pineapples is 188 metric tonnes (MT).

The project received support and advisory services from the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB), including the supply of 200,000 MD2 pineapple seedlings through the MPIB Premium Programme.

According to Mohd Khairuzamri Mohd Salleh, Deputy Director General (Development) of MPIB, the organisation also provides pineapple management courses to FGVPM staff and monitors crop development to support this effort closely.

43 MT of watermelons have been produced in November 2020

As for FGV's Krau 4 Estate in Pahang, the estate was selected for the watermelon planting project starting July 2020 and has produced 43 MT of watermelons in November 2020. For 2021, the project is further expanded and watermelon production is expected to increase to 80 MT this August.

FGVPM targets to produce 150 MT of Cavendish bananas per month by 2021

FGVPM is also working on a Cavendish banana planting project intercropping with coconut plantations at FGV's Paloh Estate, Johor. FGVPM targets to produce 150 MT of Cavendish bananas per month by 2021 for the local and Singaporean markets.

Meanwhile in Sabah, Nipah bananas have been cultivated at Ladang Sahabat 21 and the yield for 2021 is 20 MT.

Apart from cash crops, FGVPM is also working on freshwater fish farming projects such as Tilapia, Silver catfish (Patin) and Sultan fish (Jelawat) at FGV's Nenering 2 Gerik Estate, Perak. FGVPM targets a return of RM450,000 for a single harvest every five to eight months depending on the type of fish farmed.

End