Over 7,000 Free Saplings Distributed At Madani Rakyat

KUANTAN, July 7 (Bernama) -- More than 7,000 tree saplings of various types were distributed free of charge by the Pahang Department of Agriculture to the public during the three-day Eastern Zone MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2024 at Dataran Sayangi Kuantan here since Friday.

Pahang Agriculture Department assistant director Mohd Ismawi Salimin said among the saplings given to visitors were three types of coconut trees, namely pandan coconut, MYD (Malayan Yellow Dwarf) coconut and Malayan Red Dwarf coconut.

Besides coconuts, mester saplings, ginger, premium durians such as Musang king D197 and black thorn D200 were also distributed and according to Mohd Ismawi, durian saplings were the ones that ran out in less than an hour.

"Durian coupons are quickly sold out (to get saplings you need to get a coupon), when in just 30 minutes coupons are already given to visitors to get the saplings for free.

"Visitors have been queuing up to get it because outside, this sapling is sold at RM40 and that's why people are fighting to get it here. During these three days, we only allocated 400 of these premium durian saplings," he told Bernama.

Apart from durian, he said mester saplings were also in high demand with 600 fruit saplings that looked like mangosteen been distributed to visitors.

Not only focused on fruit tree seedlings, Mohd Ismawi said his side also distributed 200 sets of urban agriculture and various types of vegetable seeds for free to visitors.

"The urban agriculture set is just like durian, it runs out quickly, the response is very encouraging. In all of these, the most we bring are coconut saplings because they are also in demand in the market besides durian. Some also asked about coconut tree saplings, but this time we didn't bring them.

"In addition, we also teach them how to plant and how to care for them so that the seedlings and saplings they get are not wasted," he said, adding that the department's purpose in distributing saplings and seeds for free is to encourage them to plant to reduce cost of living.

Considering it as a 'very worthwhile gift', civil servant Norsahida Ab Kadir, 37, said the free distribution of trees by the Pahang Department of Agriculture is the best step to attract young people to plant trees.

"Our family is there to plant a little in the yard outside the house. So, when there is a program like this, I don't want to miss the opportunity to try planting coconut trees," said the mother of four.

-- BERNAMA