The National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) is targeting 2,500 hectares of kenaf plantation throughout the country with a production of 10 tonnes per hectare by 2026.
Its chairman Datuk Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah said the planting process would involve smallholders, private companies, and cooperatives.
He said LKTN, in an effort to expand kenaf crops, has also taken the initiative to develop the kenaf industry in Sabah and Sarawak this year with an area of 100 hectares in the two states.
"This effort is driven by the industry and regulated by LKTN through public and private strategic collaboration through the development of cluster farms until reaching an area of 2,500 hectares by 2026.
"This is in line with the framework for the development of the plant-based fibre industry as outlined under the National Agricommodity Policy (DAKN 2030) which aims for up to 80 percent of the sector to be industry-driven while the rest is supported by small kenaf farmers who are more structured through cooperatives by 2030,” he told a media conference after an event in LKTN headquarters here.
Commenting further Wan Abd Rahim said that so far this year there are 623 kenaf growers across the country with a total area of 744 hectares compared to the target in 2023, which is 1,146 hectares.
Wan Abd Rahim said LKTN is also currently actively implementing various research and development activities as well as strategic collaboration with various parties to increase product innovation to meet current market needs.
"The demand involves various domestic and international manufacturing sectors such as building materials, pulp, biodegradable, livestock feed and kenaf bio-composite products," he said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency