Kluang:Former factory worker Mohd Rosli Jumain has found success in the Program Inisiatif Pendapatan Rakyat-Inisiatif Usahawan Tani (IPR-INTAN), earning nearly RM3,000 a month since leaving his factory job of 20 years.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Rosli, 45, previously earned about RM1,700 a month as a general worker at a factory in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, often relying on overtime for additional income. Two years ago, he decided to join IPR-INTAN to cultivate chilli plants using fertigation, despite having no prior agricultural experience.
With support from the Department of Agriculture, IRDA, the Economy Ministry, and the private sector, Mohd Rosli has been able to market his chillies locally and in Singapore. He manages a nearly 1.2-hectare plot under a five-year contract, producing over one tonne of chilli each month by staggering the planting across plots to ensure continuous harvests.
Each chilli plant typically produces for six months before needing replacement, and his crop is currently in its third round. The project also provides participants with training in modern cultivation, agriculture, management, and marketing.
Mohd Rosli expressed that the increased income has eased his family's financial burden, validating his decision to leave his previous employment.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah, during a visit to the Kluang Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM), noted on Facebook that the IPR-INTAN project, in partnership with Chin Sam Chiap Sdn Bhd, seeks to enhance income for low-income groups through productive economic activities. The 2.8-hectare project focuses on chillies grown via fertigation and leafy vegetables like mustard greens, lettuce, and spinach, aiming for RM2,000 monthly income for each of its 25 participants.
As of August 31, the project has yielded 99,864.1 kilogrammes of chilli and 339,749.9 kilogrammes of leafy vegetables, generating RM1.618 million in total revenue. The initiative's success is measured not only by production and sales but also by participants' skill development and entrepreneurial growth.