Materia Medica Malaysiana

Herbs to help increase income of Felda settlers

Felda plans to develop 20,000ha of marginal land in its schemes to cultivate herbs.
The land mainly located in deep valleys and swamps had been left idle for many years as it was unsuitable for oil palm.
Felda chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yusof Noor said Felda hoped to tap the big money in the industry which was estimated to be worth RM20 million.
"If the land is found suitable for herbs then it will provide a new source of income for Felda settlers," he said at a Hari Raya function here today.
A pilot project on herbs is being carried out in Felda Tekam, Jerantut in Pahang since early this year.
Around 200 herbal species, including the Tongkat Ali, Kacip Fatimah and Dokong Anak were planted on the 80ha land at the Felda scheme.
Another 120ha of marginal land at other Felda schemes in Pahang have also been identified as suitable for herbs.
A factory will also be set up soon at Felda Tekam to process the herbs into herbal remedies and fragrances.