Gopeng: The Onion Pioneer Entrepreneur programme, administered by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), has shown promising results through its strategic collaboration with local farmers, particularly in onion cultivation. A notable participant in Perak has reported significant progress.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Samsul Kamal Buyong, a 56-year-old farmer, joined the programme in 2024, utilizing a one-hectare former mining site in Gua Tempurung, Gopeng. He allocated approximately 0.5 hectares for cultivating BAW 1 and BAW 2 onion varieties, provided by MARDI. The land's suitability, especially its effective drainage system and absence of waterlogging, was a key factor in his selection for the programme.
Kamal emphasized his selection was influenced by his agricultural experience and commitment to adhering to MARDI's standard operating procedures and technologies. His project, supported by 15 workers, aligns with agronomic methods and technical monitoring set by the institute. Currently, the onion crop is 45 days old, with the first harvest expected in mid-January, predicting a yield of three to four tonnes.
He stated that the project's success highlights the commercial potential of onion cultivation in Malaysia, even on former mining land, when managed with the right technology and practices. Despite the challenges of the monsoon season, Kamal remains optimistic about the crop's progress, attributing it to guidance from MARDI officers.
Kamal, from Gopeng, also grows other vegetables like kangkung and sawi to maximize land use and secure sustainable income. MARDI director-general Datuk Dr. Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani noted that Kamal's success reflects the institute's effective technology transfer to local farmers.
Dr. Zabawi affirmed MARDI's commitment to enhancing the Onion Pioneer Entrepreneur Programme through ongoing research, technology transfer, and technical support. This approach aims to ensure sustainable, competitive onion cultivation that meets domestic market demands and potentially expands into export markets.