By Aida Aziz
TAPAH: Tapah Prison has become the second location for the Urban Agriculture Program, which was initially launched at Rumah Seri Kenangan Seri Iskandar in February.
According to the Chairman of the Perak State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture, and Food Industry Committee, Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, approximately RM20,000 is allocated for each program in the involved districts.
He further stated that the program will also be expanded to other districts in the state progressively.
“After the pilot project, this program is now being extended to Tapah Prison, focusing on watermelon cultivation.
“The farming project uses the fertigation method on 2.47 hectares of land, involving more than 1,500 plant seedlings.
“The state government believes that every individual, including those serving sentences, deserves the opportunity to improve their lives,” he said.
He made these comments after officiating the Urban Agriculture Program at Tapah Prison.
Also present was the Director of the Perak State Prison Department, C Charin Promwichit.
He added that the initiative aims to provide useful agricultural skills to the prison inmates.
“At the same time, it gives them the opportunity to rebuild their self-confidence, strengthen discipline, and pave the way for a better life after their release,” he said.
He is optimistic that this urban agriculture project will have a positive impact not only on the community but also on the 4,000 inmates and 500 staff at the prison.
“I understand that Tapah Prison is also involved in the government’s initiative with the implementation of the Upskilling Agro-Mas Peka Madani 2024 program.
“This program focuses on cassava, Matag coconut, horn bananas, and oil palm cultivation over an area of 45.6 hectares,” he said.
Mohd Zolkafly further informed that the Urban Agriculture Program involving fragrant watermelon cultivation at Seri Iskandar in February has successfully yielded results.
“A 75-day planting cycle allows each plant to produce two fruits weighing 2 kilograms (kg).
“With a yield of 160 kg per cycle and market prices ranging from RM10 to RM15 per kilogram, this program not only boosts productivity but also creates economic opportunities for participants,” he added.
