A PILOT project to boost Felda settlers’ incomes in Selangor by planting pineapples did not bear fruit because the soil in the settlement was not suitable for the crop, Felda said in a statement issued today.

According to Felda, the project – to plant MD2 pineapples as a supplementary crop – did not get off the ground because it did not receive the necessary approvals to use settlers’ land in Felda Sg Tengi.

The project had also been proposed before Felda had started its Settlers Development Programme (PPP) in July this year, which was supposed to oversee projects such as this.

The PPP is supposed to oversee all economic activities for settlers to create a complete eco-system for all planting and livestock activities.

This includes everything from identifying strategic locations for these projects to allocating resources, to marketing their harvests and produce, Felda said.

“For the Felda Sg Tengi project, it had been announced by the Farmers’ Associations Board (LPP) before the PPP initiative was crafted,” the statement said.

“However, after conducting soil tests in Felda Sg Tengi, it was found that the soil was not suitable for pineapples.

“Felda also did not agree to this project, which involved settlers’ land usage prior to their consent.”

In The Malaysian Insight’s October 28 report, Felda groups questioned why the pineapple project did not take off, despite a high-profile launch by advisor to the government Daim Zainuddin.

The project was highlighted as an example of the Pakatan Harapan government’s RM6 billion plan to turn Felda around after mismanagement by the former Barisan Nasional government.

LPP chairman Mazlan Aliman said the pineapple board and the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry had also been ready to assist the pineapple project.

In the statement, Felda explained that the administration had allocated RM250 million over four years for initiatives under the PPP.

Development programme projects have already been launched in the Felda Bukit Rokan settlement to breed rabbits and in Felda Sg Behrang to plant MD2 pineapples.

“Felda is also in talks with players in the local and international food industries to source suitable technology and to create supply chains to market its products.”

“The new technology is to increase production, while the supply chain is to allow the harvests to be marketed locally and internationally.”

Meanwhile, Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said he will seek an explanation from Felda concerning the project’s delay.

“If it is true that the project is delayed, we will ensure that all decisions that we make will be translated into action,” he told reporters in the Parliament lobby.

In April, Azmin tabled a white paper in the Dewan Rakyat, which outlined plans to rescue Felda. – October 30, 2019.