MD2 Pineapple Gives Agripreneur Sweet Taste Of Success

By Muhammad Basir Roslan

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Hasnul Amri Jamaluddin joins a growing number of young agripreneurs who are capitalising on booming consumer demand for the MD2  pineapple (Ananas comosus) variety.

Hasnul Amri, 27, who hails from Johol, Negeri Sembilan, left his desk job as a researcher to focus on the MD2 hybrid's  cultivation given that it can potentially generate revenue of up to RM80,000 for each acre (0.4 hectare).

His farming journey took off after he acquired an 8-acre piece of mineral land sited on a hillslope, and later converted it into an orchard for the cultivation of the MD2 variety, which is expected to bear fruit this May.

In addition to reaping lucrative returns, growing pineapple is very easy as the crop requires a few maintenance, he said, noting that the fruit can produce  a variety of other products such as juice, which is popular among the people.

There is also a huge market potential for fresh pineapple in this country, especially when it is easily available throughout the year, he told Bernama when met recently.

INTEREST IN  AGRO BUSINESS

Agripreneur Hasnul Amri Jamaluddin received assistance in the form of pineapple seedlings from the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) during the first cultivation phase in March last year.

Hasnul Amri said before becoming an agripreneur, he was a researcher at the Ministry of Health after completing his studies at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia in 2018.

 “... I was more interested in business and agriculture. As such, I made a decision to venture into pineapple cultivation," he said, adding that he pursued his passion in the field with the help of his uncle. However, he said, before opening his pineapple farm, he equipped himself with the relevant knowledge on agriculture and pineapple in particular.

Hasnul Amri shared a selfie he took at his pineapple farm in Johol, Negeri Sembilan.

Hasnul Amri said, he received 24,000 pineapple seedlings from the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) and started planting 13,000 trees under the first phase in March last year, with   RM45,000 capital for each acre.

"Pineapple trees have a maturity period of nine months, which is suitable for flowering activities.  

“This process is carried out in stages for production control. As a whole, harvesting of the crop can be carried out within a period of 14 months after planting," said Hasnul Amri, who plans to have up to 100,000 trees on his farm in the near-term.

INNOVATIVE

Several workers repairing the seedbed at the pineapple farm owned by Hasnul Amri.

While waiting for the trees to bear fruit, Hasnul Amri did not sit on his laurels, as he shifted his focus on his pineapple juice factory in Shah Alam, Selangor.

He gets his supply of good quality pineapples from other farm operators to produce pineapple juice under Johol Pine brand which made its debut end of June last year.

“To date, we have sold about 3,000 bottles of fresh juice with total revenue of about RM24,000," he said, adding that he only uses premium AA fruits, weighing two kg and above," he said.

Johol Pine juice brand uses premium AA pineapples weighing 2 kg and above only.

He said the fruit selection is handled with care to ensure its naturally sweet and refreshing taste is maintained.

"I do not use any additive or artificial flavour in the juice," he said adding that he plans to produce sambal hitam nanas in the near-term.

At the same time, Hasnul Amri who is a registered pineapple entrepreneur with MPIB, advised those interested in venturing in the field to adopt the planting methods based on the technology recommended by MPIB to ensure good quality fruits are produced within a certain period.

CONTINUOUS ASSISTANCE

Siti Hajar Ramlee.

Meanwhile, MPIB Director for Negeri Sembilan and Melaka Siti Hajar Ramlee said, various types of assistance are extended to pineapple entrepreneurs based on the programmes prepared by the board.

They include High-Value Pineapple Crop Strengthening Programme, whereby assistance is in the form of 42,000 suckers for one hectare, as well as agro input assistance in the form of nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium (NPK) fertiliser based on the farm size.

"Applicants must be Malaysian citizens with sole ownership of the pineapple plantation, with valid land ownership status as well as minimum one acre of land," she said.

Participants of the Pineapple Plantation Integrated Project will receive assistance in the form of agricultural input grants comprising 8,000 to 10,000 suckers per acre, while for participants under the Young Agropreneur Programme, grant assistance will be given in the form of products (with a maximum value of RM20,000 for each individual).

"Applicants must be individuals aged between 18 to 40 and have just started the crop cultivation project.  They must also attend a technical training programme organised by the department/agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) or recognised by MAFI," she said.

MPIB, she added, also held regular courses for entrepreneurs and further information are available on MPIB website  (www.mpib.gov.my) or MPIB's official social media on Facebook.

INDUSTRY'S POTENTIAL

No artificial flavour is added in Johol Pine juice which is produced from pineapples using planting methods and technology recommended by MPIB.

​​​​​​​Siti Hajar also said opportunities abound for further expansion of the domestic market as there is not much competition from foreign pineapple producers.

"For overseas markets, demand for fresh pineapples from China alone is 100 containers a month. The pineapple industry has gained a foothold in several markets such as the Middle East, Singapore and Japan, in addition, new markets in Europe will propel the Malaysian pineapple industry to new heights.

"This is because various products can be produced from just one pineapple fruit. Among pineapple-based products are pineapple crackers, pineapple sauce, pineapple coffee, juice/drinks, jam, pineapple tart, while non-food products include paper, silage, cosmetics and pineapple fibre thread.

"The pineapple fruit is a rich source of vitamins C, B and bromelain enzyme. The MD2 variety is sweeter than other varieties,  its pulp sweeter, less fibre and contains vitamin C four times more than other types of pineapples. Given these attributes, we are confident that the pineapple industry especially MD2 will continue to grow by leaps and bounds," she added.

Translated by Salbiah Said

BERNAMA