ID :
21883
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 14:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/21883
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WORM FERTILISER TO BOOST AGRICULTURE YIELDS IN M'SIA'S ECER
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Worm farming for fertiliser projects to boost agriculture yields is being pioneered in Malaysia's East Coast Economic Region (ECER), starting with the Pahang state Farmers Organisation Authority.
Some 1,000 farmers from the Kuantan Farmers Association will be involved
with the initial project, ECER said in a statement Monday.
In addition to increasing yield and enhancing soil quality, ECER said the
use of worm fertilisers reduces the need for chemical fertilisers and help
growers tap into the growing demand for organic food.
Worms are also a green solution to food waste as they are efficient
digesting machines that eat over half their body weight in organic matter daily,
leaving behind nutrient rich worm castings (poop) which are completely natural
at low cost.
According to ECER, apart from quality yield, worm fertiliser produced by
earthworms will increase soil aggregate stability, aeration and reduce
erosion.
Its broad base of nutrients adds beneficial organisms, nutrients and
minerals sustain healthy plant life and stimulate growth, it added.
Aiza Agro Sdn Bhd, a company breeding and selling worm fertilisers in
Pahang, said it has seen more fruit and vegetable farmers making a switch due to
worm fertilisers' potency and lower procurement costs.
"Worm fertilisers cost less than chemical fertilisers as the growers only
need a third of the normal amount of chemical fertilisers. Farmers also need to
apply fertilisers less frequently," Aiza Agro managing director Zamsulidayat
Ismail said.
He said worm fertilisers cost less at an average of RM3,500 (US$1,029) per
tonne compared to chemical fertilisers at RM4,000 (US$1,176) per tonne, adding
that less water is required and plants become more disease-resistant.
Zamsulidayat said the company is planning to open worm farms in Terengganu
before year-end.
It has started three worm farms in Kuantan, the capital of Pahang state, as
demand for worm fertilisers is growing and more farmers in the east coast
venture into organic farming.
The ECER is a new economic development corridor launched last year which
covers the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the north of
Mersing in the state of Johor.
-- BERNAMA
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Some 1,000 farmers from the Kuantan Farmers Association will be involved
with the initial project, ECER said in a statement Monday.
In addition to increasing yield and enhancing soil quality, ECER said the
use of worm fertilisers reduces the need for chemical fertilisers and help
growers tap into the growing demand for organic food.
Worms are also a green solution to food waste as they are efficient
digesting machines that eat over half their body weight in organic matter daily,
leaving behind nutrient rich worm castings (poop) which are completely natural
at low cost.
According to ECER, apart from quality yield, worm fertiliser produced by
earthworms will increase soil aggregate stability, aeration and reduce
erosion.
Its broad base of nutrients adds beneficial organisms, nutrients and
minerals sustain healthy plant life and stimulate growth, it added.
Aiza Agro Sdn Bhd, a company breeding and selling worm fertilisers in
Pahang, said it has seen more fruit and vegetable farmers making a switch due to
worm fertilisers' potency and lower procurement costs.
"Worm fertilisers cost less than chemical fertilisers as the growers only
need a third of the normal amount of chemical fertilisers. Farmers also need to
apply fertilisers less frequently," Aiza Agro managing director Zamsulidayat
Ismail said.
He said worm fertilisers cost less at an average of RM3,500 (US$1,029) per
tonne compared to chemical fertilisers at RM4,000 (US$1,176) per tonne, adding
that less water is required and plants become more disease-resistant.
Zamsulidayat said the company is planning to open worm farms in Terengganu
before year-end.
It has started three worm farms in Kuantan, the capital of Pahang state, as
demand for worm fertilisers is growing and more farmers in the east coast
venture into organic farming.
The ECER is a new economic development corridor launched last year which
covers the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the north of
Mersing in the state of Johor.
-- BERNAMA
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