A Perak farmer’s onion crop on former mining land shows promising results under MARDI’s Onion Pioneer Entrepreneur programme, with harvest expected this month.
IPOH: The Onion Pioneer Entrepreneur programme continues to demonstrate its effectiveness through strategic collaboration between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and local farmers.
Farmer Samsul Kamal Buyong, 56, began participating in the programme in 2024 on a one-hectare former mining site in Gua Tempurung, Gopeng.
About 0.5 hectares of the land is allocated for cultivating BAW 1 and BAW 2 onion varieties supplied by MARDI.
Samsul Kamal said he was selected based on his agricultural experience and willingness to fully comply with MARDI’s standard operating procedures and technologies.
His project involves 15 workers and follows the agronomic methods and technical monitoring stipulated by the institute.
The onion crop is currently 45 days old and is expected to be harvested for the first time in the middle of this month.
An estimated yield of between three and four tonnes is anticipated from the initial harvest.
Samsul Kamal said the achievement demonstrates the potential for commercial onion cultivation in Malaysia, including on former mining land.
“Although this is my first experience growing onions on a commercial scale and I am facing the monsoon season, with guidance from MARDI officers, the crop’s progress so far has been very encouraging,” he said.
The Gopeng-based farmer also cultivates other vegetables such as kangkung and sawi to optimise land use and ensure sustainable income.
MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said Samsul Kamal’s achievements reflect the success of the institute’s technology transfer to local farmers.
He said MARDI remains committed to strengthening the programme through continuous research, technology transfer, and technical guidance.
The goal is to ensure onion cultivation can be carried out sustainably, competitively, and meet domestic market needs.
Mohamad Zabawi added that the programme also holds potential for future penetration into export markets.
