JOHOR will implement a land bank system to revive agricultural land which has been left idle for years with the hope of boosting food production.

The Department of Agriculture has discussed with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Land and Mines Department to identify land suitable for agriculture, poultry and livestock farming as well as aquaculture.

State Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the immediate task of the EPU and the department was to compile data on idle land.

He said the data would include information on land owned by individuals, private companies and the state government.

It would also include reserve land owned by government departments and agencies.
"With the data, we will find ways to lease the land to individuals or companies which want to venture into farming.

"The Federal Government has provided allocations for those who want to develop idle land," he said in winding up the debate on the Sultan of Johor's speech.

Abdul Aziz said the state government had always encouraged the use of modern farming methods, adding that the department had also encouraged the acquisition of new farming technology to boost productivity.

They include the use of better seedlings, effective micro-organism, modern drainage and machinery, and the adoption of good agricultural practices.

Abdul Aziz said the fertigation method as highlighted by Tee Siew Kiong (BN-Pulai Sebatang) required no land but promised a high return.

"This method requires high capital during the initial development.

"Rain shelter and water-dripping systems will be installed in each farm and the fertiliser will be time-released automatically."

Abdul Aziz said there were no plans to use reserve land owned by the Drainage and Irrigation Department for farming because extensive land clearing and ploughing would result in erosion.

He said the department needed the reserve land to carry out maintenance work and to ensure canals and rivers function effectively.