SERDANG, 3 August – The hard work of a group of 6 participants from the Structured Entrepreneurship Incubator Program (SEIP) had been paid off after they had successfully harvested their first batch of 100 kg kulai chilies, cultivated by fertigation method. The SEIP is one of the programs under the Ministry of Higher Education and managed by the Center of Entrepreneurial Development and Graduate Marketability, Universiti Putra Malaysia (CEM UPM). As a part of the program, CEM UPM has made an official collaboration with the Biodiversity Unit, Institute of Bioscience, UPM to acquire expertise and knowledge transfer on this crop technology. Participants were intensively trained on crop technology management and entrepreneurship via lectures and hands-on sessions.  

The project on chili cultivation by fertigation was initiated by Muhammad Arif Ramly in April 2021. According to him, the selection of chili as the project commodity is in line with the current market needs with 30 % domestic production of chili within the country. Kulai chili is chosen because of the high market demand as well as its resistance towards diseases and insects. A total of 1,000 kulai chili seedlings were successfully sown by participants at the research plot area of Biodiversity Unit, Institute of Bioscience. The outcome of this collaboration is very encouraging, with an estimated increment of 1,000 kilograms in chili production by the end of August 2021.

Prof. Dr. Ariffin Abdu, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (HEPA) of UPM, said, the idea of using fertigation system in this project is an appropriate approach as participants are encouraged to utilize this technology in their farm operations, particularly on the aspects of fertilization and irrigation. Since this cultivation system is being controlled automatically, participants would be able to concentrate on their learning without being much distracted by the commitment to the farming routine.

For more information, please contact us. En. Rishzuan Talib, 03-97692175, rishzuan@upm.edu.my; En. Ahmad Hisham Mohd Sidi, ahmadhisham@upm.edu.my; Puan Julia Abdul Aziz: 03-97692198, julia_a@upm.edu.my; Puan Noor Hazwani Abdul Rahim, hazwani_ar@upm.edu.my or Puan Ana Naziah ditalian 03-97692130, ananaziah@upm.edu.my.

Date of Input: 11/09/2021 | Updated: 12/09/2021 | mfareeq