BENTONG: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers in Felda Lurah Bilut will benefit from future planting diversification projects.
Farmers’ Organisation Authority (FAO) chairman Datuk Mazlan Aliman said the government was supportive of opening up new opportunities for settlers.
“This strategic partnership with Felda will start with diversification plans by introducing new agricultural products that will be managed by settlers,” he said.
For Felda Lurah Bilut, the partnership had identified three new agro projects such as ginger, vanilla and durian Musa King planting projects.
“Diversification is necessary to ensure a better income for settlers. This strategic partnership will ensure that more projects will be implemented throughout the country with full support from the government,” he said.
He also mentioned that other agro products were also being considered such as pineapples but the choice of fruit will be decided depending on the suitability of the soil in other Felda settlements.
Mazlan was speaking after visiting the settlers together with top FAO and Felda officials as part of the Programme Ziarah Kasih.
Felda director general Datuk Dr Othman Omar said this programme was made possible by the new strategic partnership between both Felda and the FAO.
“This partnership is to help improve the Felda settlers quality of life as well as help open up new business opportunities for settlers,” he said.
Both Mazlan and Omar also visited several settlers' homes during the Ziarah programme.
During the event seeds for the three diversification were given to settlers representatives.
They also gave out cash aid and assistance totaling about RM8,000 to settlers families, the poor, the handicapped and orphans in the community.