Zahid: South Kelantan 'food valley' can tackle national food security issue

The South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) has the potential to become a major domestic food producer through the “Kesedar Food Valley” programme to tackle food security issues and boost the production of agriculture and food in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Rural and Regional Development Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Kesedar’s efforts in using over 900 hectares of land for new crops in Gua Musang should become the new benchmark for government agencies.

Three main projects introduced by Kesedar under this programme are a new cash crop, beef cattle farming and rural agrotech, he added.

"A study on agriculture development is underway and is expected to be completed by the middle of this year, and Kesedar is also working on several strategic collaborations with industry players.

“To start off this effort, Kesedar is developing 22 hectares in Manik Urai Agrotech, Kuala Krai, with crops like corn, MD2 pineapple, coconut, pumpkin, red chilli as well as permanent crops such as durian and dokong (a type of langsat),” Zahid told reporters after a working visit to Kesedar in Gua Musang yesterday.

Also present was Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Rubiah Wang.

Beef cattle farming

Zahid (above) said Kesedar is also planning 60 hectares for the Robusta coffee crop, in partnership with Nestle Malaysia under the NESCAFE Grown Respectfully programme.

"In 2022, Kesedar spent RM900,000 through its subsidiary Kesedar Dagang Sdn Bhd (KDSB) to start beef cattle farming, an effort that began in 2020.

"KDSB is now conducting integrated and feedlot beef cattle farming at a 150-hectare area in Sungai Asap and Chalil Kesedar with a meat production capacity of 170 tonnes of fresh beef a year.

"This is a good effort to ensure the food supply in the country is adequate and that market prices are affordable, which will help the country to strengthen its food security,” Zahid added.

- Bernama

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