Negeri sembilan: The Negeri Sembilan Department of Agriculture (JPNS) distributed over 5,000 seedlings of various types to the public over three days during the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 held at Dataran Nilai. JPNS assistant officer Anuar Rizal Abdullah said the seedlings distributed included Musang King durian (D197), Malayan Red Dwarf and Malayan Yellow Dwarf coconuts, rambutan, lime and dokong, as well as 1,000 vegetable seeds such as spinach, chillies and eggplant.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anuar Rizal said they collaborated with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) for this programme, and the response has been very encouraging, with people coming non-stop since Friday. As of the morning of the final day, nearly 4,500 seedlings had been distributed, with Musang King durian seedlings proving to be the most popular, having been snapped up in less than an hour.

The initiative aims to encourage the public to plant trees, promoting greener surroundings and ensuring that every household has at least one fruit tree. The department also provided a QR code scanning facility for the public to obtain further information on planting methods, care techniques, and the benefits of each plant variety.

Housewife Siti Hajar Mat Saman, 61, praised JPNS for its effort to foster public interest in planting. She expressed her gratitude for receiving a coconut seedling for free and plans to grow it in her garden. Similarly, retired soldier Nasri Abdullah, 57, highlighted the benefits of the seedling distribution and hoped for the continuation of such programmes.

The Negeri Sembilan PMR, which began on Friday, features a range of activities aimed at bringing the people closer to government agencies. The programme, themed 'Digital Across Generations, Empowering Communities', is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital in collaboration with the Prime Minister's Office through the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit, with the Negeri Sembilan state government as the host.