GUA MUSANG: His efforts at cultivating "kelapa pandan" trees since the Movement Control Order (MCO) three years ago are now yielding remarkable returns for the former Nenggiri State Assemblyman as he now produces 100 bottles of "air nira" (coconut sap drink) daily.
Ab Aziz Yusoff, 63, said he planted over 100 coconut trees since the MCO three years ago.
He said the "air nira" produced in his plantation near Kampung Lepan Jaya received high demand from the residents around this area.
"The taste of 'air nira' pandan differs from regular coconut as it has that pandan flavour. Undoubtedly, its taste is more delightful compared to regular coconuts.
"In the process of obtaining coconut sap, a bit of the end of the coconut flower is cut using a sharp knife to extract the sap, which is collected using plastic containers tied to the end of the flower.
"Small pieces of 'cengal' wood roots are sun-dried and then put into the plastic containers before being tied to the coconut flower. The collected sap is filtered several times to ensure no dust or small insects," he said when met at his plantation in Kampung Lepan Jaya here, today.
Ab Aziz said that up till now, he and his family had been cultivating the coconut trees on 0.8 hectares of land.
"Me and my family members including my wife, son-in-law, and an assistant, who is a local villager, take turns every day to carry out the process, including tapping the trees.
"Insya-Allah (God willing), the production of coconut sap will not only be available during Ramadan but every month as it is a source of income from the plantation," he said.
According to Ab Aziz, the "air nira" is processed and filled into bottles every day before being delivered to customers.
He said the drink is sold at RM5 per bottle.
"The demand for 'air nira' during this Ramadan is encouraging, with some enthusiasts buying 10 bottles to store and drink every day.
"The drink stored in the refrigerator can last for several months and can even reach up to a year," he said.