A chilli plant is planted by the community in Taman Mawar, Pasir Gudang. — Filepic
High discipline and commitment are two key factors that must be upheld by participants of the People's Income Initiative (IPR)-Agricultural Entrepreneur Initiative (Intan) Project to ensure that their farming efforts yield satisfactory results.
Participant Mohd Sadi Abd Rahman, 45, shared that while he initially had no knowledge of agriculture, his strong self-discipline saw him through.
Mohd Sadi's eagerness to learn about chilli farming have also paid off, allowing him to now enjoy the income he earns from the project.
The former events crew member said that, before joining IPR-Intan, he had earned an average of RM2,000 a month and faced income instability due to a lack of jobs.
However, he now takes home an average of RM5,000 a month.
"When I first joined the programme last August, I had no experience in agriculture.
"Thanks to guidance from the chilli farming expert, whom we call "cikgu" (teacher), I learnt a lot.
However, all this would not have guaranteed a fruitful harvest without self-discipline," Mohd Sadi told Bernama.
The father of four shared that to become a successful farmer, he needs to be at the farm as early as 7.30am.
He takes a break at noon before returning to the farm from 2pm until late in the afternoon to manage the plot assigned to him.
"Farming requires hard work, time and a high level of dedication, including waking up early, and adhering to the established standard operating procedures,” he said.
Mohd Sadi said that everything, including equipment, pesticides, soil and seeds, is provided by the government through the Kuala Langat Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK).
For Saimah Abdullah, 66, the only woman among the 20 IPR-Intan participants in Putrajaya, the initiative provides the B40 group with opportunities to gain new knowledge and share it with their neighbours.
"It opens up avenues to increase one's income as well as to gain knowledge that can be shared with the community.
"If you are without a job, join this programme to increase your income and remember that the key is to be willing to work hard," said the retired civil servant.
Putrajaya IPR-Intan project leader Luqman Nur Hakim Alias said that 20 participants aged between 21 and 71 from the B40 group were selected to join the fertigation chilli farming project on a 4ha site in Precinct 9 in August last year.
He said 40,000 polybags were planted with the Sakata 461 chilli variety on the site.
During the harvest season, each polybag is expected to produce around 2-3kgs of chillies per season.
"Here, we are taught how to sow seeds, care for the plants, and harvest the produce.
"If it rains during the day, participants are required to come to the farm at night to fertilise or spray pesticides," he said.
Luqman Nur Hakim said that each participant is assigned to manage one plot containing 2,000 chilli plants.
He added that the harvested chillies would be sent to the Kuala Langat PPK collection centre before being distributed to buyers such as restaurants, morning markets and companies that produce chilli sauce.
The Putrajaya IPR-Intan Project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, through the Farmers' Organisation Authority and the Kuala Langat PPK.
