SejaTi MADANI: Farm Mechanisation Project Boosts Productivity For Felda Chiku 7 Settlers

GUA MUSANG, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The Development and Security Committee (JKKR) of Felda Chiku 7 has generated nearly RM4,000 in monthly income through a farm mechanisation project utilising tractors under the Sejahtera Komuniti MADANI (SejaTi MADANI) initiative.

Head of Felda Chiku 7 settlers, Razali Awang Mohamed Hanapiah, 65, said the project has created opportunities for residents to strengthen their supplementary income and improve farm productivity, supported by an allocation of RM100,000 provided about six months ago.

He said the adoption of modern technology has proven highly effective, and the initiative is projected to generate up to RM48,000 in annual income if optimised effectively.

“We received an allocation of RM100,000 to purchase two Kubota tractors to ease labour demands and save time in farm operations, including transporting oil palm fruits and seedlings, digging holes, and levelling the land.

“…to further boost income, we rent out the tractors to interested parties, with the revenue redistributed to members through welfare initiatives, community enrichment, and development programmes at Felda Chiku 7,” he told reporters during a visit to the settlement today.

Settler Noor Asmani Jusoh, 63, said the farm mechanisation project is vital, particularly since the majority of residents in the settlement are elderly.

“For instance, today we used the tractor to transport more than 100 celagi fruit tree seedlings as part of a village landscaping improvement project.

“By using this machinery, labour-intensive and time-consuming tasks are now much easier and faster. I am grateful to the government for launching the SejaTi MADANI initiative to support the community,” he said.

Felda Chiku 7 manager, Mohd Qasidinoor Mohd Asri, 40, said the farm mechanisation project will be closely monitored to ensure that the allocated funds are used optimally.

“SejaTi MADANI encourages settlers to create supplementary income streams instead of depending solely on government financial aid. We hope this initiative will continue to expand in the future,” he said.

--BERNAMA