FOLLOWING discussions with UiTM Perak branch in February, the head of department of the Perak branch of the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) and her team visited the university’s Seri Iskandar campus.
It was to determine whether the site was suitable for planting MD2 pineapples. The MPIB team was welcomed by UiTM Perak Deputy Rector (Academic) Associate Professor Dr Norhayati Baharun.
Upon deciding that the site was suitable to plant the crop, MPIB allocated RM17,000 — worth 10,000 MD2 seedlings — to UiTM Perak.
In March, the first phase of the project started with students planting 200 MD2 pineapple seedlings, supplied by the state MPIB.
The Department of Agriculture has said pineapple is a major crop apart from papaya, banana, mango, pomelo, watermelon and jackfruit. MD2 has been identified as a suitable fruit crop that can be exported, as well as ensures food security.
Since the demand for MD2 pineapples is high locally and abroad, UiTM Perak decided to venture into planting it.
MD2 pineapples have three grades: A, B and C. The grades are determined by the weight of the fruit, which is between 1.5kg and 2.5kg.
Grade A MD2 pineapples are reserved for the international markets.
MPIB believes that for Malaysia to have a larger share of the world production of pineapples, it needs to produce about 700,000 tonnes this year.
This means that Malaysia needs to groom more industrial planters.
UiTM Perak Rector Associate Professor Dr Md Yusof Hamid and the executive management were supportive of the project.
By sharing agricultural knowledge, especially in planting MD2 pineapples, the university can create more agropreneurs among its graduates. It is hoped that these graduates will add value to the development of agriculture practices.
AMERI MOHD SHARIFF
Head supervisor, UiTM Perak branch, Seri Iskandar campus, Perak