Exploring Kenaf Plant's Economic Potential

By Zabidi Ishar BESERI (Perlis) (Malaysia), March 12 (Bernama) -- Kenaf is a plant that is grown for its fibre and promising potential commercial applications in a variety of industries. The Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) has been entrusted with exploring kenaf's potential as a new Malaysian export commodity. Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L), which originates in Africa, reaches a height of five to six metres within eight months after planting, and its fibre serves as the bio-composite material in the construction, furniture, paper, textile and even automotive sectors, and it is also used to feed grazing animals. The plant grows in areas where temperatures range between 10-50 degrees Celsius, especially on loose soil or sandy areas with a pH 6-6.8, and in regions with monthly rainfalls of between 100 mm-125 mm. KENAF AS A COMMODITY The plant's stalk produces two types of valuable fibre, the outer layer and the core. The outer layer is often used to make paper, while the core, which is white in colour, is similar to hardwood fibres and often used to create very durable materials. In 2008, the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry noted that kenaf could serve as a new commodity plant for rural dwellers and Beris was identified as one of the suitable locations for cultivating it. Further, the board, being well aware of the plant's potential, worked on ways to transform rural farmers into kenaf entrepreneurs. The board's chairman, Ismail Kassim, recently took a group of reporters to visit the Kenaf Seed Processing Centre here, where he noted that the board had set the goal of commercialising kenaf on a global scale. "The board is also working with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) to carry out verification trials on the new kenaf seed, the KB6 in Bukit Tangga, Kedah and has been working with Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University since August 2011 to produce kenaf F992 seeds," he said. In 2006, 7,190 kgs of kenaf seeds were produced and this number has been increasing annually with the output in 2011 reaching 151,250 kgs. KENAF SUITABLE FOR PERLIS AND KEDAH As Kedah and Perlis undergo an annual rain period, both states are suitable for planting kenaf for its seeds. Ismail explained to the reporters that the cultivation of kenaf promised high returns and could help rural farmers overcome poverty, as farmers can earn a net profit of RM2,000 to RM3,000 for each hectare of kenaf they plant. "Therefore, the important thing is to produce high quality kenaf and this calls for research by LKTN," he said. Kenaf is easy to plant and farmers only need to practice the 3T system - which, in the Malay language, stands for plant, look after and harvest. "LKTN is ready to help farmers plant kenaf and market their harvests," he said. He highlighted that, currently, kenaf seeds were mostly imported from developed states such as China, Mexico, Australia and the United States. ENLISTING GRADUATES The board's director-general, Ahmad Loman, when met at the kenaf seed farm at Kampung Pering, Kodiang, Kedah, said he hoped more farmers would venture into planting kenaf. "As, for example, at this plantation we encourage farmers to cultivate kenaf as an extra crop and also encourage graduates to participate," he said. Ahmad noted that for 2012, the board had set a target to plant kenaf on 3,000 hectares of land throughout the nation, especially on idle land. A Universiti Putra Malaysia graduate, Imran Fahmi Tajul Ariffin, 25, noted that kenaf has resulted in lucrative returns for him. "We have to be committed in this undertaking, and I believe that this is the profitable plant of the future," he said. Imran Fahmi hoped that more graduates who do not find employment would venture into kenaf cultivation. Another kenaf entrepreneur, Abdullah Hashim, 57, said he hoped that the Kedah state government would allocate more land for cultivation. "I have been cultivating kenaf since 2006 on 12 hectares of land that I'm renting and I'm really satisfied because of the high yields. That is why I want more land for cultivation," he said. KENAF'S HUGE POTENTIAL Ahmad said the board viewed kenaf's potential favourably, especially when renowned automotive manufacturers, such as Toyota and Honda, have been trying out kenaf and other fibers in the manufacturing of vehicle bodies. "Toyota had created an experimental model for a hybrid car with the body made from kenaf and other fibres, and we hope that local automotive companies like Proton and Perodua will look into this," he said. He noted that the Kenaf and Tobacco Board planned to hold discussions with local automobile companies regarding its use in their auto bodies. Ahmad added that though it might take time for kenaf to establish itself as a viable material for different uses, its fibres stand out from the rest of the plant family. (US$1=RM3.01) -- BERNAMA