NEGERI SEMBILAN: The Negeri Sembilan Agropolis Development has made significant strides with the development of 1,431 hectares of land and a total allocation of RM16.5 million from 2021 until September of this year. State senior executive councillor Datuk Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Pertang) announced that during this period, the project yielded 212,617 tonnes of food crops, including fruits, vegetables, industrial crops, and rice valued at RM815.94 million.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jalaluddin noted that 1,590 beneficiaries from the second core development in the Negeri Sembilan Structure Plan have observed the project’s substantial contributions to the state’s economy. He shared these insights during a session at the Negeri Sembilan State Assembly, in response to a query from assemblyman Datuk Mohd Razi Mohd Ali (BN-Sungai Lui) regarding agricultural development achievements in the agropolis area.

Jalaluddin highlighted that the development of this agropolis, encompassing areas such as Jempol, Tampin, Re
mbau, and Kuala Pilah, also supports rural community development by enhancing economic infrastructure in a systematic approach. Furthermore, in Budget 2025, the state government has earmarked RM8.63 million for implementing eight food security initiatives, including crop and livestock subsectors, while strengthening the agropolis development through the preparation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (MP13) document for 2026 to 2030.

In another matter, Jalaluddin, who also serves as the State Rural Development, Plantation and Commodity Action Committee chairman, addressed a proposal regarding the cultivation of sea coconuts. He explained to P. Gunasekaran (PH-Seremban Jaya) that the agronomy and climate of the country are unsuitable for commercial cultivation or as an alternative food source for this high-value crop, given the difficulty in replicating the original soil conditions from Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.