The Kelantan Department of Agriculture has developed 3,332.92 hectares of previously idle land between 2006 and 2024, with total allocations exceeding US$5.5 million.
State Agriculture, Agrofood Industry and Commodities Committee chairman Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said the state government allocated around US$2.65 million to develop 2,332.57 hectares, while the federal government contributed over US$2.9 million for an additional 1,000.35 hectares.
"These idle lands, either privately owned or leased, have been cultivated with permanent crops such as coconut, durian, and limau madu, as well as cash crops like watermelon, pineapple, chilli, cucumber, corn, melon, and various vegetables," said Saripudin.
He explained that the minimum area eligible for development under the State Agriculture Department's allocation is 0.4 hectares, with funding set at approximately US$5,200 per hectare.
Saripudin added that the development incentives cover infrastructure components such as site clearing and preparation, purchase of inputs, mechanisation and agricultural equipment, and the establishment of irrigation and drainage systems.
"The Kelantan State Agricultural Development Corporation is developing Agrovalley Rong Chenok in Pasir Mas, covering over 109 hectares, to undertake agricultural activities such as hydroponic vegetable farming and chilli cultivation using fertigation technology.
"For the 2025–2026 plan, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has approved several allocations to further enhance agricultural activities in Agrovalley Rong Chenok, including the cultivation of livestock feed crops like Napier grass, as well as fruit crops such as honey melon and banana," Saripudin added.
He also said the Kelantan Agricultural Group Berhad has developed agricultural projects on land owned by the Kelantan Islamic Foundation to enhance the value of idle land through group farming projects involving local farmers around Tanah Merah.
"Meanwhile, Kelantan Biotech Corporation Sdn Bhd contributes to the food agriculture sector by promoting and marketing high-quality banana seedlings produced using plant tissue culture technology to farmers," he said.
Source: Bernama
