Over 3,000 Seedlings, Vegetable Seeds Given Away At Melaka PMR 2025
JASIN, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- More than 3,000 seedlings and vegetable seeds were distributed free of charge to visitors in conjunction with the Melaka edition of the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025, held over three days at Politeknik Merlimau, Jasin, here.
Melaka Department of Agriculture officer Dayang Aszuanty Yusof said the initiative was carried out by the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), in collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), to encourage the public to engage in home-based farming activities.
“The distribution is free for visitors who attend, but they must fill out a coupon provided to redeem a seedling or seed pack prepared throughout the programme.
“For today’s (Saturday) distribution, we have prepared more than 1,300 seedlings and vegetable seeds, including pandan coconut, guava, pomelo, starfruit, water apple, mangosteen, durian, mango, and various vegetable seeds such as cabbage, brinjal, red spinach, and green spinach,” she told Bernama.
Dayang Aszuanty said that on the first day yesterday, a total of 500 seedlings, including Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) coconuts, starfruit, and pomelo, as well as 300 packs of vegetable seeds, were distributed to visitors who redeemed their coupons.
“The distribution will continue tomorrow (Sunday) with a larger quantity in conjunction with the PMR Melaka highlight event, involving about 1,800 seedlings and various vegetable seeds,” she said.
In addition to the free distribution, Dayang Aszuanty said the Melaka Department of Agriculture also set up a technical exhibition and provided agricultural consultation services, giving visitors the opportunity to obtain information and guidance related to farming activities.
“Visitors can get free advisory services from our technical officers, including registering as farmers in their respective districts. The exhibition also helps the public identify the best methods to start small-scale farming at home,” she added.
One of the visitors, Suhaili Halim, in her 30s, said she was excited to receive a free seedling during the programme.
“I’ve always loved planting local fruits, so when I saw there was a seedling giveaway, I took the opportunity to get a pomelo seedling,” she said.
She said such initiatives not only encouraged public interest in agriculture but also motivated people to make use of their home spaces for planting.
The Melaka MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 runs from Oct 17-19, featuring various community activities, government agency exhibitions, and welfare initiatives for the benefit of the state’s residents.
-- BERNAMA
