ID :
24655
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 17:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24655
The shortlink copeid
FELCRA TO SET UP FIRST SEED FARM
SUNGAI SIPUT (Malaysia), Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) Berhad will set up its first seed farm to supply up to 2.2 million seeds for the agency's 262,000ha oil palm plantation nationwide.
Chief executive officer Mohd Nasir Baba said the 80ha seed bank at the
Felcra Nasaruddin in Seri Iskandar here would be able to reduce the annual seed
purchasing cost of RM2.86 million (US$814,613)by between 15 and 20 per
cent.
The percentage would increase by up to 80 per cent in the next five years
when the farm is fully operational, he added.
Currently, he said, Felcra was purchasing seeds from Felda, Sime Darby,
Golden Hope and IOI Plantation at RM1.30 each.
"Felcra has received the approval from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB),
the advisor for the agency. So, Felcra will start training its officers in seeds
production next year," he told reporters after attending a "Hari Raya"
celebration to mark the end of fasting month) organised by the northern state of
Perak regional Felcra Tuesday.
In other development, Mohd Nasir said Felcra would hold sessions with the
participants nationwide to explain the recent decline in the price of the
commodity, which would affect their dividend payment.
He said the agency had no control over the price, especially with the
rising costs and demands from the workforce.
"We are concerned that the participants would have a very high expectation
when the price of the commodity rises. For example, the price reached RM600
(abour US$171) per metric tonne in early last year, but fell to RM380 (US$108)
last week.
"In this uncertain economic situation, the price may fall further and the
participants should know the problem that comes with it," he added. (US$1=RM3.5)
Chief executive officer Mohd Nasir Baba said the 80ha seed bank at the
Felcra Nasaruddin in Seri Iskandar here would be able to reduce the annual seed
purchasing cost of RM2.86 million (US$814,613)by between 15 and 20 per
cent.
The percentage would increase by up to 80 per cent in the next five years
when the farm is fully operational, he added.
Currently, he said, Felcra was purchasing seeds from Felda, Sime Darby,
Golden Hope and IOI Plantation at RM1.30 each.
"Felcra has received the approval from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB),
the advisor for the agency. So, Felcra will start training its officers in seeds
production next year," he told reporters after attending a "Hari Raya"
celebration to mark the end of fasting month) organised by the northern state of
Perak regional Felcra Tuesday.
In other development, Mohd Nasir said Felcra would hold sessions with the
participants nationwide to explain the recent decline in the price of the
commodity, which would affect their dividend payment.
He said the agency had no control over the price, especially with the
rising costs and demands from the workforce.
"We are concerned that the participants would have a very high expectation
when the price of the commodity rises. For example, the price reached RM600
(abour US$171) per metric tonne in early last year, but fell to RM380 (US$108)
last week.
"In this uncertain economic situation, the price may fall further and the
participants should know the problem that comes with it," he added. (US$1=RM3.5)
