By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, May 19 — A total of 5,490 tonnes of grain corn can be produced annually when the corn planting project in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Langat Selatan, Selangor is completed.
Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) group chief executive officer Dr Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi said the crop harvested from the 283.2 hectares (700 acres) of land in both states could be marketed to local livestock industry players.
According to Negeri Sembilan State Financial Officer cum Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan Inc or MBINS managing director Datuk Mohd Khidir Majid the joint venture (JV) project is able to generate revenue of RM10.7 million a year based on the current market price of the crop at RM1,950 per tonne.
“It is hoped that this project can be utilised in strategic planning, that is related to food security and price control of poultry feed,” he said in a speech at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan for the grain corn planting project yesterday.
The MoU signed by Mohamad Khairil and Mohd Khidir at Wisma PKPS here, was witnessed by Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Khairil said the cooperation was proof of both states’ commitment to stabilising the price of chicken feed and reducing dependence on imported grain corn.
“It is also part of the long-term planning of the Selangor and Negeri Sembilan governments under the framework of the Ehsan Food Prices Intervention Programme,” he added.
