MARUDI: Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak (UPMS) has conducted a Knowledge Transfer Programme with the pineapple farming community in Marudi, supported by the Knowledge Transfer Grant Scheme for Industry and Community Network (KTGS-JINM).
The programme focuses on aspects of farm financial planning and agri-business management strategies, led by Project Leader, Dr Shairil Izwan Taasim.
According to Dr Shairil, the main objective of the initiative was to share knowledge and empower the local community to compete more sustainably in the agricultural sector.
This programme aligns with the university’s aspiration to transfer academic knowledge and expertise to the community, thereby contributing positively to the community’s standard of living.
“The knowledge shared is not limited to agriculture, but also includes management, marketing, and potential area development,” he said in a press statement on Thursday.
The programme involved a close collaboration with local pineapple farm operators which was led by Isaac Kui.
The hands-on approach with the community allowed for a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by small-scale farmers, which in turn enabled practical solutions to be proposed.
In addition to focusing on efficient farm management and crop recordkeeping, participants of the programme also learned the potential of developing pineapple farms into agro-tourism destinations.