Kelantan: The onion cultivation project in Kelantan is making steady progress, with the first harvest expected to yield 18.4 tonnes of produce within the next two weeks, according to the Kelantan Agriculture Department.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the department’s director, NorBahani Zakaria, stated that the crop at the Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM) in Telong covers 4.6 hectares and comprises the ‘Baw 1’ and ‘Baw 2’ shallot varieties. The pilot project, which began last June, is being carried out by 10 operators using conventional methods and hanging fertigation.

NorBahani mentioned that the onion crop took around two months to mature and that the yield so far has been encouraging. “Today alone, the operators harvested 250 kg of onions. We expect the yield to increase and reach the 18.4-tonne target by month-end,” she told reporters during the Onion Harvesting Ceremony for the Kelantan State-Level Onion Cultivation Project at TKPM in Telong.

She further explained that the first harvest would be directed to the local market, including supermarkets, with the Kelantan Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) determining the price according to current market rates. The project is set to be extended to other districts, including Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, and Jeli, covering 30 hectares statewide, aiming for a total harvest of 100 tonnes by the end of the year.

NorBahani highlighted that the upcoming expansion will involve over 50 operators from other districts. She emphasized that the joint effort by the state and federal governments through this onion cultivation project is anticipated to boost local onion production, strengthen the country’s food security, reduce dependence on imported onions, and open up economic opportunities for agricultural entrepreneurs in Kelantan.