The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), in collaboration with the Segamat District Office (PDS), organised the ‘Jom Tuai Cili’ to mark the successful harvest of ECERDC’s high-impact programme aimed at alleviating poverty. The first harvest cycle of ECERDC’s chilli fertigation was held at the project site of Agromix Farm in Mukim Sermin, Segamat on 18 February.
Present at the event were the Johor State Executive Councillor for Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development, YB Dato’ Zahari Sarip, the Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC, YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, as well as honourable guests from the Ministry of Economy, the representative of State Executive Councillor’s Office for Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development, Segamat District Office, Johor State Department of Agriculture, Segamat Information Office, Segamat Public Works Department, and other agencies involved in this chilli fertigation programme.
ECERDC also highly appreciates the support of Segamat District Agriculture Department and Johor State Agriculture Department, as well as the close cooperation of the Segamat District Office with ECERDC to ensure the success of this project. Today’s harvest proves that many economic models can be applied to help the B40 and hardcore poor and to contribute towards the national agenda of strengthening the nation’s food security.
- YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC
Chilli is a high-value crop for cultivation as it is one of the vegetables and fruits that have not reached 100% Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) in 2022 recording only 29.7%. The national direction for this subsector has been outlined to prioritise increasing the yields of crops that have yet to reach 100% SSL to support the nation’s food security agenda.