KUALA NERANG: The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) is optimistic about developing a food valley, known as KEDA Food Valley, within its operational areas to address food security issues and boost the country’s agricultural and food production. Its general manager, Ismasuhaimi Shariff, announced plans to request a budget of RM12 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the development of 218 hectares of land across several districts.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the project will focus on developing idle land in major districts such as Padang Terap, Baling, and Sik. The initiative aims to enhance the cultivation of crops and livestock that currently have low self-sufficiency levels in the country. Speaking after visiting an organic kampung chicken farm in Kampung Pokok Machang, Ismasuhaimi Shariff highlighted that another key focus would be the provision of poultry feed, with plans to request RM2 million under the First Rolling Plan (RP1) of the 13MP.
Ismasuhaimi noted that KEDA has alre
ady developed 675 hectares of land for various crops, including rice, bananas, pineapples, corn, watermelon, aquaculture, and cattle farming, generating an income of RM10.174 million for local farmers. Plans to expand into premium foods and livestock with high market prices, such as organic chicken, are also underway. KEDA aims to create a supportive ecosystem for the livestock sector by producing poultry and other ruminant feed.
Meanwhile, organic kampung chicken farmer Mohd Rosli Hasyim expressed gratitude to KEDA for providing egg incubator machines and poultry feed processing equipment, which have been instrumental in developing his project. He started with just 100 chickens six years ago, and his farm has since grown to 2,500 chickens. However, he faces challenges in meeting the high demand for organic kampung chicken due to a lack of incubator machines.
In a separate development, KEDA showed support for fire victims in Desa KEDA Bendang Tok Teri, Naka. The victims, Zamri Zakaria and his wife Siti Fati
mah Saad, lost their home to a fire. KEDA has provided temporary accommodation and is investigating and evaluating the reconstruction of their house, submitting a request for the Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera (PPRS).
The reconstruction project is expected to cost RM79,000. KEDA has also provided emergency food aid and basic household items worth RM1,700. Zamri expressed his gratitude to KEDA for their support and hoped for the timely construction of their new home.