THE National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) recently held a roadshow to mark Merdeka while promoting the benefits of kenaf as a sustainable and commercially viable crop.
Led by chairman Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah, the team travelled 389km from Perak to Penang to spread awareness of kenaf while instilling patriotism.
The roadshow stopped at Tadika Kemas in Batu Gajah, Tanah Merah, Kelantan, where it distributed hampers and the Jalur Gemilang to children. It also stopped at the National Fisheries Development Board facility in Batu Maung, Penang, where the team handed out flags and held a football match.
Wan Rahim highlighted kenaf's potential as a sustainable alternative to plastic products in the fisheries sector, particularly for floating pontoons, in line with European Union green regulations. He also spoke about the use of kenaf in the construction sector to create lighter, cooler homes, addressing climate change concerns.
The board is working with a pet food production plant in Sungai Dua, Penang, to incorporate kenaf into pet food products. The plant, which functions as a one-stop veterinary centre, distributes RM300,000 worth of pet food monthly, using kenaf as a key ingredient.
The LKTN aims to expand kenaf cultivation, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak. Wan Rahim emphasised the need to shift from tobacco farming to kenaf, which is better suited to the tropical climate and offers significant environmental and commercial benefits. – August 26, 2024.
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