Jasin: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) has allocated RM364,200 to implement the Ayam Saga Farming Project in two villages here to improve the residents' socio-economic status through the transfer of agricultural and livestock technologies. MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani announced that the project, part of the MARDI Adopted Village programme, underscores the agency's commitment to ensuring that developed technologies are directly utilised by the community.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ayam Saga Farming Project serves as a crucial meat source for communities in the district. It aims to ensure that technologies developed by MARDI extend beyond laboratories and research farms, reaching the people and impacting their daily lives. Dr. Mohamad Zabawi expressed hope that the MARDI Adopted Village programme's implementation in Kampung Chinchin Hulu and Kampung Chinchin would benefit the local community through the sharing of knowledge, technology, and expertise developed by researchers.
He shared these insights while speaking to reporters at the launch of the MARDI Adopted Village programme and Ayam Saga Farming Project, officiated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security's political secretary, Yuhaizad Abdullah, at the Kampung Chinchin Hulu community hall. The event also marked the handover of 'touch point' contributions to 20 residents of Kampung Chinchin Hulu and Kampung Chinchin, along with the symbolic handover of Greenkit technology. This innovative self-watering pot, developed by MARDI, uses a capillary irrigation concept to facilitate sustainable and efficient cultivation of vegetables and herbs.
Further elaborating, Mohamad Zabawi highlighted that a key component of the programme is the Ayam Saga Farming Course, involving 20 selected participants who each receive assistance worth RM18,210. This assistance includes the provision of coops, 100 Ayam Saga chicks, feed, equipment, vaccines, and disinfectants. MARDI has also allocated RM30,000 for training and monitoring to ensure the project's success.
He also mentioned the introduction of a premium ayam kampung (free-range chicken) breed developed by MARDI, suitable for small-scale farming as a source of meat and eggs. This breed has the potential to generate additional household income.
Additionally, MARDI has allocated approximately RM30,000 to upgrade surau facilities in the two villages under the Adopted Village programme.