MELON FARMERS - AT IJOK HAPPY

While looking for an alternative source of income from his oil palm plantation, former oil and gas consultant-turned-farmer Hanifah Mokhtar decided to try his hand at growing rock melons at Ijok, Selangor. Mr Hanifah aged 72 years old, who started cultivating rock melons as a hobby is planning to turn his village into a hub for rock melon farming. He hoping to turn this place (Ijok) into a hub for rock melons in which cultivated via fertigation and hydroponics systems. He said the farm at Ijok that was a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur claimed as the best location for rock melon lovers to choose the fresh fruits. Learning from trial and error and with the help of the Google, his rock melon farm in Bestari Jaya has now spread over one hectare of his oil palm plantation. He said that he started farming using the fertigation method in 2016 with chillies. However later he developed an interest in rock melons, which he said were much easier to farm in terms of harvesting and maintenance. This blog "Anim Agriculture Technology" I rewrite an article regarding a successful local farmers growing melon.

Normally for rock melons, he only have to wait 60 days to harvest the fruits and here on his farm he can produce up to 10,000 rock melons. Currently he cultivated 12,000 Sakata Rock Melon hybrids in which the seeds imported from Japan. He said the Sakata rock melon hybrid yields quality fruit as it was more resistant to pest and fungus, and the plant was healthier and stronger. He also ventured in hydroponics farming with his friend Mustaqim Qamaru Zaman, by setting up a different farm namely HMA Hydrofarm within in the same area. This method they can increase the harvest cycle to five times a year compared to the fertigation method which only allows four cycles as said by Mustaqim. He said the hydroponics system required less manpower and was easier to manage. Currently in the farm has about 8,000 rock melon plants. The rock melons are sold at RM6 per kg to suppliers and walk-in customers. They hoped to share his knowledge in growing rock melons to interested parties as there was potential for its growth. Thankyou!..

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(1 Rabiul Awal 1442H).