TALK ABOUT BABY CORN

BABY CORN (Zea mays) is a popular in Malaysia and other Asian Regions vegetable that can be consumed cooked or raw due to its sweet and succulent taste. I like baby corn since it was easily available and cheap in Pasar Basar or Pasar Tani (Local Farmers Market). Many people presume that ‘BABY CORN’ are the tiny ears come from dwarf corn plants. Actually as my knowledge in agriculture for almost 30 years know that baby corn is the immature ear of fully grown standard cultivars; ears are harvested two or three days after silk emergence, but prior to fertilization.

Marketing and Promotion of Baby Corn
In Malaysia and many neighbouring country the fresh baby corn sold in the packet with 5-10 pieces or in the husk. It can be marketed directly at farmers markets and to ethnic markets even in Superstore and Hypermarket such as TESCO, JUSCO, GIANT and many other outlets. Most local Thai Food and Local Malay restaurants particularly those specializing in Asian or vegetarian dishes, may also be serving salad or cooked baby corn and interested in purchasing fresh baby corn. Health food stores in big City like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, KK and Kuching are a potential marketing avenue for organically grown ears with proper promotion. Growers desiring to produce and market organic baby corn must first be certified by a Department of Agriculture Malaysia under Sijil Organik Malaysia (SOM).It took about 2 years for new organic farm for certification process and about 1 year for established organic farms.

Market Outlook in Malaysia
Most baby corn sold in the Malaysia are 75% fresh from local farmers and the remaining processed baby corn from China, Thailand or other neighbouring countries. Malaysian prefers the fresh baby corn because of superior taste and texture. The fresh product may provide a marketing advantage over the more readily available canned import. Organic baby corn may also have a marketing advantage, especially in light of the rapid increase in demand for organic products if properly labelled. Total area under sweet corn growing area about 3,500 hectare annually non-seasonal. Farmers from Perlis to Sabah able to produce more than 450 metric tonnes for fresh consumption and if there are SME Industry for canning create more opportunity for farmers to expand the markets.

Considerations of producing Baby Corn
Variety selection. Growing of many common local or hybrid sweet corn cultivars can be used for baby corn production. From my observation as agriculture extension agent in many states, there is no taste advantage in growing a sweet corn variety over other field corn since the ears are harvested before the sugars have an opportunity to accumulate. However according to experience farmers in Muar, Johor who grows sweet corn for more than 15 years, and the sweet corn cultivars tend to be easier to do hand-harvest. The only an important advantage of field corn is the lower seed cost. Grain corn or field corn stalks however tend to have stronger resistance to lodging due to the development of brace roots. Not many farmers grow grain corn in Malaysia due to not economic return. Study by my officer found that the ear quality is more than the yield and should be the primary objective when selecting a variety. Small kernel size, straight row kernel alignment, and tapered tips are preferred characteristics for high quality baby corn. But there are condition where some buyers prefer longer ears especially on local night market.

My observation also found another factor to consider in variety selection is the ease in which the ears can be pulled from the stalk without damaging the leaves and plants. Corn varieties specifically bred for baby corn production are also available. Sweet corn variety almost 100 percent imported hybrid seeds such as Sweet Corn 1000, Sweet Corn 1001, Sweet Corn Yellow 388 and Sweet Corn 926 are among popular variety in Malaysia. Some of these specialty cultivars or hybrid seeds are shorter than traditional types and able to produce multiple stalks and can yield as many as 20 ears per plant. In Malaysia an average of 4-6 ears are harvested each plant. Site selection and planting Corn will do well in all areas of lowland and fertile soil such as in Muar, Johor, Selangor an many other area. I notice that the well-drained soils are essential for good results. Planting schedule all year round without any fear or consideration of monsoon flood for selected upland area. Potential tillage and cropping systems include no-till, low-till, strip cropping, mulch till, living cover crop and intercropping.

Many commercial sweet corn growers in Johor said that baby corn can be produced as either a primary crop (all ears are harvested for baby corn) or as a secondary crop (the top ear is left to mature while subsequent ears are harvested as baby corn). A close plant spacing is used when baby corn is the primary crop. Cross-pollination with other corn varieties in adjacent fields is not a problem for baby corn when it is grown as the primary crop, since it is harvested when immature. However, when baby corn is produced as a secondary crop, crosspollination can be a problem for those ears left to develop fully. In this case, isolation among different cultivars will be necessary. This can be accomplished by physical separation or by making sure there is a minimum of 14 days Difference in the maturities of different types.

Pest management
According to Mr Hassan from Kg Sg Dulang, Pontian, Johor claim that corn earworm is one of the most destructive insects attacking sweet corn. It generally attacks after silking and it may be less of a problem in baby corn. Other insect pests that can cause crop damage include Tropical corn borers, armyworms, Local beetles and flea beetles. Hassan said that by producing baby corn as the primary crop will be able to avoid many of these problems since the crop is harvested so early. In addition Hassan claim that baby corn ears are tightly wrapped inside the husk in which helps protect them from pest attack. Potential disease problems include Stewart’s wilt, leaf blights, rust, and viruses. Good Agriculture Practices that Hassan apply manage to reduce the problems.

Harvesting Baby Corn
From my own observation in commercial sweet corn growers seems that baby corn is hand-harvested 1 to 2 days after silk emergence. It was while the ears are still immature. The ideal ear size is 2 to 4 inches long and 1/3 to 2/3 inches in diameter. This is because ears can quickly become too large and tough to be sold as baby corn. Normally the frequent harvests of every 2 to 3 days are necessary. The harvest period can last 2 to 4 weeks. To maintain ear moisture and quality, fresh baby corn, like sweet corn, is sold in the husk. Ears must be properly cooled immediately after harvest.

Manpower requirement
The production of baby corn needs extra manpower. Labour requirement for baby corn production are not available but as I calculated they should be similar to sweet corn production (20 hours per acre). When baby corn harvest and packing it will be considerably more labour-intensive than the 55 to 65 hours per acre needed for hand harvested sweet corn. Harvest of baby corn is currently done by hand and requires 12 to 18 successive pickings in which will add to the labour requirements. Farmers in Jasin, Melaka employ 2-4 foreign workers to manage baby corn production.

Economic Analysis
The baby corn production requires an initial investments cost include land preparation and purchase of sweet corn seed. The installation of irrigation system would be an additional start-up cost either sprinkler system or other systems. Growers choosing to use a sweet corn variety may incurred somewhat higher seed costs than growers who select field corn for baby corn production. Field corn varieties that produce multiple ears can result in higher yields, presuming the ears are of a high quality. Cost and returns will also be affected by the production method used; that is, whether baby corn is the primary or secondary crop. Potential growers of fresh baby corn areAdvised to locate a market and determine the market value before planting large amounts. Baby corn production is a profitable venture in Malaysia.

By,
M Anem
Like to eat fresh baby corn
Muar, Johor,
Malaysia.

Plants components

PLANTS HAS MANY COMPONENTS AS FOLLOWS:-

LEAVES:

Leaves are where a plant’s food is made by photosynthesis. Leaves take in carbon dioxide from the air, water from the soil and energy from sunlight. Most leaves in green while others in Red, Yellow, pale and many other combination colors. The leaves is the most important plants components to process CO2, water , nutrient and sunlight for food production. The shape, size, numbers, color, function and appearance differ from one plant genus to another.

FLOWERS :

Flowers are the reproductive parts of a plant. A flower’s petals and its scent attract bees and insects to pollinate the flower. After pollination, the petals fall away and seeds develop in the part of a flower called the ovary. The ovary itself usually becomes what we call fruit.

STEMS :

Stems support the upper parts of plants. Water and dissolved nutrients from the soil travel up the stem in a system of tubes. Food from the leaves travels down the stems to the roots. Stems also store food.

ROOTS :

Roots of plants anchor the plants in the soil. Water and minerals are taken from the soil through the roots. Many plants, such as carrots, store food in their roots. 4 Unit 1 PlantsSeeds contain a tiny embryo of a plant inside. The seed halves contain food that supplies energy and materials for growth until the plant grows its first leaves above the ground.

PETALS :

Petals are the brightly colored structures that form the outer part of the flower. Buds are small lateral growths on the stem of a plant. Incompletely opened flowers, buds are not yet at full growth and development.
Nodes are thickened or swollen enlargements of a plant (as on the trunk of a tree).

STIGMA :

Stigma is a portion of the pistil that receives the pollen grains.
Anther is the part of the stamen in seed plants that consists of microsporangia, develops and contains pollen and, though sometimes sessile, is usually borne on a stalk.

SEPAL :

Sepal is a protective structure (like a petal) that covers the flower bud.
Pollen is a fine dust that on germination produces a tube that goes into the ovary.

MOLD :

Mold is a plant that does not produce its own food, growing directly on its host.

SLIME MOLDS :

Slime Molds are naked creeping vegetative masses that live on hosts. Slime molds produce large flowing masses that join together and develop spores.

SPORES :

Spores are minute unicellular resting bodies that can produce a new vegetative individual when conditions become favorable.

RHIZOMES :

Rhizomes are elongated tube-shaped stems or branches of a plant that produce shoots above and roots below the soil and from which a new plant can begin to grow.

ALGAE :

Algae are unicellular vegetative and animal-like bodies. They produce chlorophyll
that determines the plants’ colors of green, brown, red.

FUNGI :

Fungi are aquatic and terrestrial vegetative structures living on dead or decaying matter, or in symbiotic association with each other, usually for mutual benefit.

FUNGUS :

A fungus has the form of a tubular branched filament that branches increasingly, intermeshing into irregular networks. Some filaments pack together in dense orderly patterns producing, for example, mushrooms. Like molds, fungi have the ability to produce spores and to disperse them for greater distribution.

LICHENS :

Lichens are symbiotic associations of algae and fungi.

Plant components are normally consists of Leaves, Stems, Fruits, Flower, Seeds, Roots and the whole tree structure. More to study the plants components in the next article.

Thanks.

By,

M Anem

Perak

Malaysia

Ledang MP Visits

MP Ledang YB Hj Hamim Samuri arrived at the Tangkak Agriculture Office for one Day Technical Visits with me as District Agriculture Officer. A simple briefing was given by KPPK Shida about the whole agriculture development in the constituency. This area is purely active in agriculture sector with largest durian producers in Johor, Largest lowland Leafy vegetable farm in Malaysia located at Sengkang in one place, Poultry production and 5 paddy schemes in the coastal area.

The first stop an Mr Nasir Catfish Breeding farm located 10 km from our office. The farm was an intergrated project with banana crop, Local Goats, Catfish rearing and catfish fries production. He able to produce about 5,000 - 10,000 catfish fries in a month depending on the markets demand. All 3 of the group members started this project 5 years ago with the assistance from District Fisheries Department. The catfish fries priced at RM 0.20, RM 0.30 and RM 0.50 based on the fries size and marketed in Melaka, Muar, Segamat and Batu Pahat.

Our second technical visit is Salted Duck Project about 600 meter from the first project. The farmers started this project 7 years ago with total population of 200 - 300 ducks in a cycle. The production capacity of salted eggs range between 100 - 300 eggs per months. The technology of making salted eggs based on the technical training given by DVS office. The ex-farm price of the salted eggs between RM 0.30 - RM 0.40 per eggs.

We move to the commercial vegetable farmer by the name of Mr Murad at Kg Paya Mas, Tangkak. He is an active farmers which able to manage 14 hectare of vegetable farms with about 22 workers with 8 different location. This plot he grows cucumber about 3 hectare of mineral soils he rented for RM 400.00 per hectare. He produced 2.5 mt of cucumber from this plot daily with a reasonable ex-farm price this week range between RM 0.40 - RM 0.60 per kilogram. I advice him to get more extra workers for harvesting the second plot nearby. MP Hamim support his application for exra manpowers. Mr Murad also planting Bitter Gourd (Peria Katak), Long Beans, Angle Loofa and Chili. My estimates shows that the net income between RM 6,000 - RM 12,000 monthly.

Kg Bekoh Baru, Tangkak is a traditional village with rubber, vegetables, oil palm and tropical fruit as the main commodities. DOA introduced the orchard replanting program with the introduction of new cultivar 'Tekam Yellow Jackfruit' to 6 farmers in the village. The 2 months old tree (Photo above) shows a vigorous growth which was inter cropped with casava, sweet potato and some vegetables. This cultivar claims to be a suitable crop in this area for fresh market.

The Kambing Boer Project at Kampong baru, Ulu Bekok was initiated about 5 years ago. MP Hamim said he was surprised with the expansion of Boers Goat performance and profitability. Breeder Goat sold at premium price to new operators interested in goat rearing. The farm follows Good Husbandry Practices and very clean. The farmers manage to produce compose from the goat activity.

Food processing are one sector actively participated by women folks in Ledang Constituency. Our DOA reports about 64 food processing project able to produce more than RM 6.4 million annually involved 72 participants. The project at Kg Melayu Sagil produce Kerepek Ubi, Kerepek Keladi and Kueh Cakar Ayam. The production activity increase tremendously during Muslim Festival Hari Raya Puasa.

The Calamansi (Limau Kasturi) project located at Kg Solok about 8 km from the previous location. About 3 hectare of peat soil was planted with Calamansi aged 2-3 years owned by Mr Amir and Mr Abu. He use to plat about 7,200 tree together with banana and Lime Citrus. Ex-farm price about RM 0.80 - RM 1.20 per kilogram depending on the season and market demand. He harvest every 3-4 days with about 200 - 400 kg per harvest. The use of compost, organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer able to increase productivity. There is no irrigation system in this farm.

Tangkak is the most popular area in Malaysia producing high quality durian (Durio zibethinus ). Muar District has the largest durian area in Malaysia with 7,048 hectare (7% of national size) with total production of 20,235 metric ton in 2010. Few popular clones from this area are D24, D99, D197, D88 and Munthong. The Tangkak Agriculture Station provide durian technology to the surrounding farmers with Good Agriculture Practices. FAMA Tangkak provide excellence service in 'Quick Freeze Fresh Durian' for international market and export. This center also provide local 'Durian kampong' for flesh processing facility. Tons of frozen durian exported to Hong Kong, China and few other country during peak season. This area supported 6,024 hectare of durian farm at Jementah , Segamat (Border to this constituency).

YB Hamim was given a chance to ope fresh durian using special 'Durian Opener' tools introduced by DOA Muar. I shows to him how confortable using this equipments to open throned durian. He able to open 12 fruits in 10 minuted in which normally took about 20 - 35 minutes by manual system depending on durian clones. He said it was the first time using such friendly tools to open fresh durian.

There are about 120 pieces of durian fruit provide for 25 of us in the visiting team from 16 selected clones in Tangkak Agriculture Station. Thanks to previous ex-officer who planted and provide my generation harvest and consume the best durian. At the end of the day YB Hamim really thanks to me and the staff of one Day Technical Visit in his constituency. He said the agriculture development in his area are significantly progressive with my leadership. He would like to see in other portion (West and South Region) in the next visits. Few months later he sent me a congratulation letter of me being promoted to Putrajaya.

Thanks to YB and all of my staff. Sayonara . . .

By,

M Anem

Tangkak,

Ledang, Johor

(A memory for MP Ledang)

Mushroom Visits

Fresh Mushroom (Pleurotus cajor-saju ) collected for local market priced at RM 5.00 - RM 6.00 per kilogram e-farm from Kg. Parit Simpang, Muar, Johor. retail price about RM 6.00 - RM 10.00 per kilogram. The grading and packing done manually with 300 gram to 500 gram per pack.

The farmers prepare for grading and packaging at the farm. Average weight recorded from this farmers about 180 - 220 gram per bag. They are using rubber wood dust as the main media and other mixed components are paddy husks, lime, microbes and rice brands. One structure 30 feet x 80 feet able to store 45,000 - 50,000 bags.

Harvesting of fresh mushroom scheduled every day about 30 - 50 kilogram based on market demand and production schedule. The AA grade (10%) and the A grade (45-60%) and B Grade (15-20%) harvested together with the off grade. In my observation the use of beneficial micro-organism able to prolong the freshness and improve the mushroom quality. Few microbes local product such as EM Power, BMO, IMO-5 Active was used by the farmers.

Technical know how and extension services to mushroom growers improve the farmers skill to control diseases such as Backworm Attack, Green Fungi, Rats and eradicate serious contamination. My experience shows that during long dry period the attack of backworm are serious. To control the attack I advice the farmers to improve sanitation surrounding and the use of diesel spraying in strategic location. During wet season ability of fungi attack controlled by physical and chemical application.

The relative humidity plays an important role in mushroom production system. High temperature and low humidity affect the size of mushroom. Higher of structure and proper aeration system able to reduce the heat with a micro-jet mist installed within the structure. Some farmers installed fan to remove hot air trapped inside the structure.

Mushroom Project in Pagoh Area considered one of the most active area in fresh mushroom production. Anchor Company by the name of C&C Mushroom Sdn Bhd support the growers with the raw material supply, buy back contract farming and processing activity. This company managed to process local mushroom with 'Vacuum Fry Technology' under 'Frulli Fresh' brand and exported to more than 15 nation. There are potential of mushroom farming in this area with the completion of Kompleks Pertanian Pagoh that able to provide more technical research and extension services to the growers.

By,

M Anem

Muar, Johor

Malaysia

NTF FOR SALAD

What is Nutrient Thin Film Technology?

Salad (Latuca sativa) under Asteraceae family is ready for market at MAFC Farm Cameroon Highland. The fresh produce under Nutrient Thin Film Technology or NTF system recently introduced in Malaysia for commercial salad production. Other popular variety grown in Malaysia are Butter Head, Chinese Lettuce, Crisphead, Looseleaf, Romanine and Summer Crisp.

Wrapped salad with this plastic film after the grading process in the farm. The outer leaves was removed and than spray with clean treated water to retain freshness. It must arrive to the wholesale market as soon as possible. The ex-farm price about RM 3.00 - RM 5.00 /head depend on the size, appearance, uniformity, color and season. Mostly eaten as raw salad, Fast Food Industry for Burger (Mc Donald, KFC and A&W) in major big city.
Foreign workers at the harvesting activity. The right timing for harvest are based on the days after sowing in the nursery. Most of the produce are for fresh production. Most salad seed in Malaysia are imported fr on Europe and China.

The Netted Rain Shelter Structure protect the crop from rain and the attack from pests and diseases. The control environment allows most salad grown in Cameroon Highland suitable to grow throughout the year either dry of wet season.

The Nutrient Thin Film Technology (NTF) is a control system which is compatible to all irrigation and fertigation system. In this system a thin film of nutrient solution flows through plastic lined channels, which contain plant roots. The walls of the channel are flexible and this permits them to be drawn together around the base of each plant, excluding light and preventing evaporation. Nutrient solution is pumped to the higher end of each chamber and flows by gravity past the plants roots to catchment, the pipes and a sump. The solution is monitored for replenishment of salts and water before it is recycled. Capillary material in the channel prevent young plants from dying out and the roots soon grow into a tangled mat.
The main advantage of NFT system is that it requires much less nutrient solution. It is there fore easier to heat the solution during winter to obtain optimum temperature for root growth and to cool it during hot summers in arid and tropical regions, thereby avoiding the bolting of lettuce and other undesirable plant responses

The tray of NTF arranged parallel about 2.5 feet above the ground for suitable in planting, crop managements and harvesting activity. Each hole able to grow single plants.
The NTF technology was suitable for fertigation under the Greenhouse System. The costs depends on the material used in this system. For further inquiry of this system , please visits the website related to this technology. There are many farmers in Cameroon Highland use this technology for salads production. Many outside lowland farmers may be never knows about this technology.

By,

M Anem

Visit Cameroon Highland

Pahang

NTF For Salad

Liquid (Non aggregate) hydroponics Systems

The 'Iceberg Variety' Salad (Latuca sativa) under Asteraceae family is ready for market at MAFC Farm Cameroon Highland. The fresh produce under NTF system recently introduced in Malaysia for commercial salad production. Other popular variety grown in malaysia are Butter Head, Chinese Lettuce, Crisphead, Looseleaf, Romanine and Summer Crisp.

Wrapped salad with this plastic film after the grading process in the farm. The outer leaves was removed and than spray with clean treated water to retain freshness. It mut arrive to the wholesale market as soon as possible. The ex-farm price about RM 3.00 - RM 5.00 /head depend on the size, apperance, uniformity, color and season. Mostly eaten as raw salad, Fast Food Industry for Burger (Mc Donald, KFC and A&W) in major big city.

Foreign workers at the harvesting activity. The right timing for harvest are based on the days after sowing in the nursery. Most of the produce are for fresh production. Mosts seed are imported fron Europe and China.

The Netted Rain Shelter Structure protect the crop from rain and the attack from pests and diseases. The control enviroment allows most salad grown in Cameroon Highland suitable to grow throughtout the year either dry of wet season.

The Nutrient Thin Film Technology (NTF) is a control system which is compatible to all irrigation and fertigation system. In this system a thin film of nutrient solution flows through plastic lined channels, which contain plant roots. The walls of the channel are flexible and this permits them to be drawn together around the base of each plant, excluding light and preventing evaporation. Nutrient solution is pumped to the higher end of each chamber and flows by gravity past the plants roots to catchment's pipes and a sump. The solution is monitored for replenishment of salts and water before it is recycled. Capillary material in the channel prevent young plants from dying out and the roots soon grow into a tangled mat.
The main advantage of NFT system is that it requires much less nutrient solution. It is there fore easier to heat the solution during winter to obtain optimum temperature for root growth and to cool it during hot summers in arid and tropical regions, thereby avoiding the bolting of lettuce and other undesirable plant responses

The tray of NTF arranged parrarel about 2.5 feet above the ground for suitable in planting, crop managements and harvesting activity. Each hole able to grow single plants.

The NTF technology was suitable for fertigation under the Greenhouse System. The costs depends on the material used in this system. For further inquiry of this system , please visits the website related to this technology. There are many farmers in Cameroon Highland use this technology fo salads production. Many outside lowland farmers may be never knows about this technology.

By,

M Anem

Cameroon Highland

Pahang

Sweet Jambu Air Madu

Talk about New Jambu Air Merah Variety?

The matured Jambu Air Madu (Euginia aquea) plucked from 7 years old tree at Kg Relau, Asahan, Jasin, Melaka own by Mr Liow. The fruit selected from 3.5 hectare orchard farm. Average weight each fruit between 150 - 200 gram. I suspect it was a selection from E3 Clone (Red Jambu Air).

The cut fruit is crispy, sweet (10 - 14 Brix) and succulent with attractive red skin color. It was remain fresh for 4-6 days without any cool storage.

Packaging the Jambu Air Madu in the boxes with a layer of old newspaper. There are 3-4 layer arrangement in the box with average of 25 - 40 fruits per box. The fruit arrangement was up-side down to maintain the quality. The ex-farm price about RM 4.00 - RM 5.00 perkilogram. The fruit graded according to their size, appearance, skin color, uniformity and freshness. Most of the outlet market located along the PLUS Highways and retail at RM 10.00 - RM 12.00/kg.

The packaging house for cleaning, grading and packing the fresh fruit Jambu Air Madu from farm located next to the frm. The owner claim that this variety are seedless variety and firm flesh with longer stalk. The numbers of fallen fruit is very low throughout the season. The use of micro-jet sprinkler system ensure the consistant water supply eah tree.

The fruit almost ready for harvest and wrapped with 2 layer of plastic and old newspaper inside. This wrapping techniques to ensure the best skin color. The use of Yara Mila fertilizer and organic manure ensure of fruiting capability 4-5 times in a year with an average of 40-50 fruits each tree/season. He remove other fruits to maintain quality and fruit size each season.

The clean and well managed farm following Good Agriculture Practices, All the fallen leaves was manually collected and processed for compost. The grass was cut manually by machine and never spray any weedicide in this farm. So the farm considered as Organic Farm by defnation. The 5 years old tree are vigirous with shiny leaves and well pruning acitvity.

The fruit wrapped for few weeks before harvest. A single tree may produce between 40 - 10o fruit bunch during peak season but only half are remain. The topping pruning is applied after harvest to maintain the height of the tree for harvesting activities.

Mr Liew (Black T-shirt) explain to a group of DOA Putrajaya Official during Farm Visits lead by me last months. He won first prize during MAHA 2010 exposition Jambu Air Category on the Tropical Fruit Competition. Any body interested to visit this farm can contact DOA Putrajaya or DOA Jasin.

By

M Anem

Chief Delegation

Melaka

Malaysia

Langkawi Pitaya Farm

Fresh fruit from the farm ready for tests. The sweetness about 12-13 Brix upon tested. The red flesh priced at RM 4.00 per kilogram (Grade A), RM 3.00/kg (Grade B) and RM 2.00/kg (Grade C). The lower grade was not for sale and consumed free for visitors in this farm. The Double or Triple Grade (AA or AAA) was for the gods For his family to sembahyang).

This is the large pitaya fruit from his farm weigh about 1 kg per fruit. This fruit is for own consumption and about 5% from the total production.

A basket of ripe pitaya fruit ready for grading. One basket consists about 15 - 25 fruits depend on size and grades.

Mr Lim inspect the fruit grades after harvest. About 30% are Grade A, 45% are in Grade B and 25% in Grade C.

Almost matured fruit for harvest. The size small due to the long drought in Langkawi Island for almost 3 weeks without rain and hot. The canal that provide water for irrigation almost dry for 2 weeks.

The netting structure raised to reduce the effect of heat in hot and dry weather this months. Without this netting system about 15% of fruit face a cracking problems. It may due to lack of water content and hot sunny day.
The white flower after pollination process completed. The flushing of white flower will ensure of the fruit production.

The Langkawi Pitaya Farm are located about 20 minutes drive from Kuah Town own by Mr Lim and his family. Department of Agriculture Langkawi provide technical assistance in controlling the attack of Ervinia spp problem in this farm by introducing Good Agriculture Practices. But the farmers claim to get assistance from an expert from Pulau Pinang with priced about RM 1,500 per package to control the rot disease with microorganism.

By

M Anem

Visit Langkawi

Malaysia

Preparing Farm

How did I manage to harvest sweet GU8 (Kampuchea Guava) from my farms?.. It was 18 months ago when we started to open new guava farm at Sekijang, Segamat, Johor together with 8 other Group of selected farmers. This is the happiest moment for plucking the first guava fruit from the immature tree that we planted 18 month ago. It was a sweet, crispy and tasty fruit and we enjoy our success in growing 25 hectares of guava farm mixed with other vegetable and short terms crops.

Mr Jailani and Mr Razik upon harvesting the 500-600 gram per fruit ready for grading and cleaning process. He was offered a RM 0.70 - RM 0.90 per kilogram of fruit ex-farm (Inclusive transp[ortation costs to ablut 30 km distance to the collection center at Segamat Town). The amount harvested alternate days about 1.2 - 2.5 metric ton.

The seedling about 3 months old planted at 6 m x 6m planting distance to provide about 270 -300 plants per hectare. The seedling was inspected bu Department of Agriculture Officer Mr Mohd Anim and his team from suspected possible disease and pests. No soil was allowed together with the seedlings to ensure of non-existence of Nematode problems.

Ploughing with 70 hp tractor to ensure proper land preparation as recommended within Good Agriculture Practice System. The cost about RM 450 per hectare and the whole area need 5 days to complete land preparation. The installation of irrigation system with mainline HDPE piping system and secondary piping system completed soon after land preparation.

My team from Agriculture Office inspect the soil suitability study and the irrigation plan and their design. The 56 hp Hyundai waterpump are calculated capable of supplying clean water from Segamat River for guava and vegetable crops.

Down stream was a river sand activity that cause some issue to our pump house and the waterpump. The water lavel become low and dirty due the the sand mining activity. The farmers group complained to local authority about this issue but as usual...no action was taken for many months. It was a disturbance in farmers mind every day.

This is the RB Machine to collect sands for commercial use. The price per lorry about RM 100-RM 150 at location and upon reach to construction site priced about RM 300 - RM 450 per lorry. It was the story of last preparing farm 10 years ago...

By,

M Anem

Segamat