MELAKA, June 22 – The state government received an additional allocation of RM21 million from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to upgrade six projects in the state to intensify the agrotourism industry in Melaka.
State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the projects in question include the Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm (MTFF) in Sungai Udang getting RM7.5 million, Ikan Kelah fish farm pond in Brisu (RM1.5 million) and Malacca Marine Park, the redevelopment of deer farms and cattle grazing farms in Sungai Rambai with each getting an allocation of RM2.5 million.
“Upgrading work on all six projects is currently underway and it is expected to be completed in stages by the end of this year or early next year.
“This is expected to have a big impact on the Melaka agrotourism industry, in addition to boosting the state tourism sector and improving the economy for the people and industry players,” he said after officiating at the 2024 Melaka Agrofest held at Dataran Sejarah in Ayer Keroh being held for three days from Friday.
In another development, Dr Muhamad Akmal said the state government will collaborate with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to train 100 Melakans in the rock melon (cantaloupe) fruit industry through the ‘Melon to Million’ programme under a special KPKM allocation.
He said under the ‘mentor-mentee’ concept, the programme not only trains participants to become successful rock melon entrepreneurs for free but will also pay them an allowance, supply seeds and equipment to prepare the land for fruit cultivation.
“The training will be conducted in collaboration with rock melon entrepreneurs from Selangor and from the 100 participants, the best 10 will be selected to become contract farmers to cultivate the fruit expansively.
“They will be given land to grow the fruit and given aid in various aspects including (the state) buying back the harvested melons for marketing,” he said.
