Fertigation In Malaysia

Fertigation technique has gain great popularity in the Malaysian agriculture. Places like Cameron Highlands, Johor, Selangor, Perak and Pahang is saturated with farmers who used this technique. Most of the crops that is planted among others are melons, strawberries (mostly in Cameron Highland), capsicum, tomatoes, chillies, etc. New and modern approach is also added in the fertigation system in order to get the highest return. Some of them are the 'Autopot fertigation system' which is now used mainly in Sweet Melon fertigation plantation. This technique are very different from all other hydroponic systems

such as NFT and drip to waste where the accurate dose of nutrients can be achieved. Delivering accurate nutrients to the plants without the salt build up problems many hydroponics experts expect. There is no run-off and no flushing is needed. The yields are good and the flavour of the melons is consistently outstanding. The sweetness measures an average brix reading of 14. The fruit are uniform and free from blemishes. The Autopot System is becoming very popular now in Malaysia even though the set up cost is huge. This shows that more and more Malaysians have a good faith in this technique. As a proof, we can see so many

greenhouse structures in many parts of Malaysia now, even alongside the North-South highways. Malaysian goverment are also very supportive in this area. The good example are the Department Of Agriculture of Malaysia and Malaysia Agriculture, Research and Developement Institute or MARDI. They provide free training and courses for those who interested in venturing into this field. Some of the courses are as such:

i) Agriculture Certificate
To produce skilled personnel in agriculture at operational level to fulfill th

e need for the government and the private sectors.
To develop and produce for future agriculture entrepreneurs.

ii) Agriculture Incubator Training
To provide skilled training and exposure to commercial farming operation to entrepreneurs and young farmers for 8 months.

iii) Entrepreneur Development Center
To provide hands-on training on commercial food production methods that meets the Good Manufacturing Standards (GMP) and the Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) for 6 months