THE Plantation and Commodities Ministry plans to seek a bigger allocation under next year's fiscal national budget to boost the multi - purpose sustainability of kenaf.
Originally brought into the country in 2014 from the African continent with the aim to replace tobacco as a cash crop, kenaf has become a viable alternative to the cigarette plant despite the initial resistance from tobacco growers.
It is also a durable plant against climate change and its roots can produce more oxygen if it is grown on a widespread basis.
Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said that kenaf's downstream and upstream activities has now grown to become a RM10 million domestic industry in the first six months of this year, an increase of 69% compared to 2022.
With a tremendous growth potential, Chan said that the ministry will seek more development funds for the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) to generate public awareness about the plant and to boost its research and development.
Already, the plant, which can be rapidly harvested (under three months), is producing material for mattress, biodegradable plastic sockets for electrical and water sockets, animal feed, noise pollution absorbers and biotechnology organic products for slimming, as well as wood furnishings.
"The room for growth is tremendous and given time with support, the LKTN is in the position to fully harness the potential of the plant," said Chan after opening the one day national kenaf conference at Shaftsbury Asteria in Cyberjaya here.
Some nine working papers from the academia and foreign experts were tabled at the conference, which is designed to update its participants on the use of kenaf.
Present were the LKTN board chairman Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah and its director - general Wan Baharuddin Wan Ismail.
Chan said that the 69% market expansion of kenaf made products is an impressive number, since the plant is relatively new on Malaysian soil.
It is largely grown in previous tobacco schemes, namely in Kelantan, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis with plans afoot to expand into Sabah and Sarawak.
With a fast harvesting of just a three - month cycle from growing, cultivating and harvesting, Chan said that kenaf can supplement other food security plants such as padi, greens and tropical fruits.
It is mostly grown in smallholding schemes and in plantations with plans for it to be cultivated at a bigger scale in estate - type schemes. - September 21, 2024.
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