ROMPIN: Felda settlers’ lands will be consolidated and cultivated efficiently on a large scale basis by those experienced in the agriculture sector.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said similar to estates, the 4.5 ha (10 acres) lands owned by each settler would be managed professionally by those experienced in large scale cultivation.
This move, he said, was to ensure various crops could be planted and to generate a steady source of income for the settlers.
Dr Mahathir said since most of the sellers were now aged 60-years-old and above, they might find it tough to change their ways. However, merging the lands would benefit the settlers and ensure a consistent income.
"Combining the settlers' land will ensure they operate on one huge plot of land that will be managed professionally by estate managers. I am confident that the new initiative would help settlers produce more crops and generate additional income from planting crops other than oil palm and rubber.
"For example, when the combined size of the land is between 1000 (404ha) or 2000 (809ha) acres, about 200acres (80ha) would be planted with other crops while the remaining 1800 acres would be oil palm.
“Fruits trees like durian and pineapple can be planted and this will allow the land to be optimised," he told reporters at press conference after opening the national-level Felda Settlers’ Day celebration at Felda Selancar 3, near Muadzam Shah, here today.
Dr Mahathir said Felda settlers would end up facing hardship when they rely on a single crop, especially when the price of the commodity drops, but by diversifying their crops the settlers would be able to earn income on a sustainable basis and this in turn would be able to cushion setbacks.
"We want to avoid planting a single crop and from now onwards it has to be mixed crop. Planting various crops including vegetables and fruits would also allow the country to produce and meet agriculture demands locally. We can also export the surplus," he said.
On the suitable crops, he said the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry would determine suitable types of vegetables or fruits that could be planted in the Felda settlements.