March-April. 2026 | @ AGROBiz

One entrepreneur tapping into this potential is Alif Dzulfarhan Mohamad Shaharudin, who has expanded his maman cultivation from a small garden to a 10-acre agricultural operation, producing hundreds of kilogrammes weekly.

Operating under the name Nourish Farm, Alif, from Semenyih, Selangor, ventured into agriculture after relocating to Batu Kikir in 2013. He initially ran a family-owned ruminant feed factory before shifting his focus to vegetable farming.

“ After the food factory was stable, I got the opportunity to work on government-leased land and started growing several crops such as bananas, eggplants and short-term vegetables.

“ Around 2017, I started focusing on maman crops after seeing the demand for this traditional vegetable being quite consistent, especially among local food entrepreneurs,” he told Bernama recently.

Alif noted that maman has a short maturity period of 23 to 25 days, allowing staged production to maintain a steady supply for restaurants, food traders and wholesalers in Selangor, including Bangi, Kajang and Shah Alam. The farm now produces about 500 kilogrammes weekly, or at least two tonnes monthly.

Maman is sold at RM6 to RM8 per kilogramme, generating RM13,000 to RM15,000 on weekdays, with sales rising to RM30,000 during peak demand periods.

The farm’ s expansion was supported by RM125,000 in financing from Agrobank in 2024, enabling Alif to increase planting from six to 10 acres and upgrade facilities, including an electric water pump that reduced irrigation costs from RM3,000 to RM300 monthly.

He employs five workers and grows other vegetables, such as mustard, spinach and water spinach, in rotation to maintain soil fertility.

“ Without financial support, the process of expanding the planting area had to be done in stages according to one ' s own capital capabilities. If I use my own capital, it may take me a few months to open a new area, but with this financing, I can expand a few more acres in a shorter period of time, thus increasing production,” he said.

FROM GARDEN TO MARKET: Maman, once a local vegetable, is gaining popularity as a commercial crop among food entrepreneurs.

Alif is optimistic about maman’ s commercial potential and plans to develop downstream products such as maman chicken rendang and maman meat rendang to diversify offerings and expand the market.

THE B40 Community Agro Programme for MD2 pineapple cultivation, spearheaded by Aqina Fruits Sdn Bhd( AFSB) in collaboration with Agrobank, is helping low-income farmers enhance livelihoods while supporting Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

AFSB Director Wesley Tan Seah Ging said the programme, which began in 2020, provides local farmers with guidance to become successful entrepreneurs, sustain their income, and achieve financial stability.

The initiative gained recognition at the 2023 JCI Malaysia Sustainable Development Awards, affirming the company’ s dedication to sustainable food production and empowering smallholders to improve their economic prospects.

Ging told Bernama:“ As of December last year, a total of 87 local B40 farmers had been appointed as contract farmers and received financing approval from Agrobank, the development financial institution which manages the fund, while AFSB acts as the project developer.

“ In addition to the B40 participants, the project also opened opportunities to Malaysian Armed Forces( MAF) veterans in 2024 through a collaboration with the MAF Veteran Affairs Department.”

Ging explained that participants receive comprehensive support covering all aspects of farming and financial management, including practical training in crop measurement, fertilisation, foliar applications, record-keeping, and crop buyback arrangements. Monthly meetings review progress and address operational issues.

“ Additionally, there are certified accountants presenting the balance sheet and monthly cash flow statement of each participant, as well as( guidance on) course participation and the procurement of relevant agricultural certifications issued by agencies such as the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board and the Department of Agriculture,” he said.

The programme operates at three sites: Pekoti Timur in Rompin, Pahang; FGV Chuping Agro Valley in Chuping, Perlis; and Beaufort,

Sabah. Several contract farmers have successfully launched independent pineapple businesses while remaining in the programme, and 20 have obtained Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices( MyGAP) certification.

Agrobank president Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin noted

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: Twenty contract farmers achieved Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices( MyGAP) certification under the programme.

that the B40 model collaboration has secured RM24 million in funding. Participants can access up to RM280,000 in financing through the iTEKAD grant, enabling low-risk entry into pineapple farming while boosting national production and empowering skilled agro-entrepreneurs.- @ AGROBiz