PENANG Agrotechnology, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol announced the commencement of onion cultivation in the state as part of the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on imports, particularly following India’s recent export ban on onions to Malaysia.
Despite the initial results showing locally grown onions differing significantly in size compared to Indian varieties, Fahmi remains optimistic.
“While there may be differences in size and taste, we must accept this as Malaysia and India differ in climate,” he said in an interview with Buletin Mutiara at Vitrox Agritech Sdn Bhd.
The current focus of the onion cultivation project, spread over 6 acres of land, is on seed production. This aligns with the government’s long-term strategy to achieve 30% local revenue from onion cultivation and reduce import dependency.
“We will continue to improve cultivation techniques. If there are advanced or more efficient technologies available, we will adopt them in the future,” Fahmi said.
Given Penang’s significant culinary use of onions, ensuring a stable local supply is crucial.
The Penang State Agriculture Department is committed to maintaining competitive prices for locally produced to support entrepreneurs.
In pursuit of this goal, several officers from the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) have been sent abroad to study advanced sowing and harvesting techniques.
Penang continues to research and implement strategies to enhance its agricultural output and food security, aligning with a broader national policy aimed at reducing import dependence and bolstering local production.
Story by Nurul Hawa Farahin Hameddy
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud