KUALA LUMPUR (BERNAMA) – Agrotech Farming and Trading Sdn Bhd (Agrotech Farming) is keen to bring and implement an innovative, cost-effective organic farming in Malaysia through a joint-venture agreement (JVA) with one of the biggest agricultural cooperatives in India.
Its advisor, SR Naga, said indigenous technologies such as vermicomposting and anaerobic composting to nurture the plants and soil was proven to aid crops to produce better yields in India and this would be able to help improve the country’s food security if it is implemented here.
The JVA was inked in India on January 28, between Agrotech Farming Advisor SR Naga and chairman/founder of Venkateshwara Co-operative Power and Agro Processing Ltd Shivaji Dole.
Besides introducing eco-friendly fertilisers and pesticides using the technology, the JV also allows the company to directly import the crops from India.
“With export approval (granted) in India specially for our company to import (produce) at lower cost and guaranteed quantity, this can help reduce the burden and help the country to get sufficient supplies for the local people,” said SR Naga.
If the project is successful, SR Naga said it is expected to provide a lot of job opportunities, including for the students and retired military. personnel.
“Basically they support us, they like this entire idea and model of the project we are getting into, so what they want right now is to proceed with the project. Of course, here again we are looking at two areas, first to have our own land for the plantation and to perform a test run, and at the same time, work with the local farmers”, he said.
Besides introducing eco-friendly fertilisers and pesticides using the technology, the JV also allows the company to directly import the crops from India.
“With export approval (granted) in India specially for our company to import (produce) at lower cost and guaranteed quantity, this can help reduce the burden and help the country to get sufficient supplies for the local people,” he said.
If the project is successful, SR Naga said it is expected to provide a lot of job opportunities, including for the students and retired military personnel.
“We will equip them with training, and we’ll join hands with some renowned institutes which will certify them once they are qualified and we would also allocate certain space in our land to train them to be agropreneurs,” he said.
“They have government-linked companies (GLCs)…of course, we are also in negotiations with them. They’re prepared to help and work together with us. So we have to do it accurately. We need to have an understanding, we cannot afford to fail in this project,” he said.
Besides introducing eco-friendly fertilisers and pesticides using the technology, the JV also allows the company to directly import the crops from India, which are currently in demand in Malaysia, for example, onion and other food necessities from the farms in India under the incorporated company.
“We are ready to work and support the local wholesale importers for a cost-effective pricing, directly dealing with our farms (in India). This way, it will be (more) affordable for our consumers.
“With export approval (granted) in India specially for our company to import (produce) at lower cost and guaranteed quantity, this can help reduce the burden and help the country to get sufficient supplies for the local people,” he said.
