Bintulu, 4 July 2022: A total of 19 students from Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Management (BSPMP) Semester 6 Session 2021/2022 and 16 students from Bachelor of Industrial Chemical Sciences (BSKP) Semester 2 Session 2021/2022 who attended the Agriculture and Human course (PRT2008) had conducted a study visit to the MARDI Bintulu Farm located at KM 55,  Bintulu-Miri Road. The management of this study programme was guided by six lecturers, namely Dr. Ribka Alan (PRT2008 Course Lecturer, BSPMP), Dr. Juniza Md Saad (PRT2008 Course Lecturer, BSKP), Dr. Omar Faruqi Marzuki, Dr. Nurul Nadwa Zulkifli, Dr. Yasmin Yaccob and Dr. Nurul Hidayu Mat Jusoh. At as early as 7.00 am, all students and lecturers who participated in the tour had gathered at Dataran Blok C, Kolej Sri Rajang, UPMKB and distributed breakfast. The bus carrying the participants departs at 7.45 am and the journey to MARDI Farm takes 40 minutes. The main purpose of this visit was to promote active learning on campus especially for the PRT2008 Agriculture and Human course. Students can generate knowledge on Malaysia's agricultural practices and recognize the role of government agencies directly in the empowerment of the agricultural sector.

Upon arrival at MARDI Farm, the students were greeted warmly and briefed by MARDI officer, Mr. Marcado Saran Dunya. He explained a little about the establishment of the station in MARDI, Bintulu which has been operating since 2008. Mardi's land area is 788 hectares where this area is used to produce various types of crops such as durian, jackfruit, cempedak and newly cultivated crops are coffee. In addition, MARDI is also working on kelulut honey. The best produce from this cultivated crop will be sold to the public and some of the products are used for research purposes. In addition, Mr. Marcado also explained the development that is currently in the making of the MARDI administration building as well as quarters for the use of MARDI officers.

The second briefing session was delivered by Encik Muhammad Fariq Hamzah who presented on the Young Agropreneur Programme offered by MARDI and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI). According to Mr Fariq, MARDI has partnered with other agencies to provide the Young Agropreneur Grant to any entrepreneur who registers. This grant is dedicated to young people who are 18 to 40 years old and have a whole business. The scope of business given priority is such as the crop industry, the kelulut industry and the food industry. However, the grant is only limited to 5 individuals in one state within a year. He also said that the grant assistance provided is not in the form of cash but in the form of goods needed by the dealer. Under the Centre for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneur Development there is also a sangkut Training which is only for individuals involved in food processing. The attachment training is a paid food product processing technical training held at the MARDI technology testbed and this training is held one day only.

After the briefing, the students were served a brief banquet by MARDI. The visit led by Mr. Marcado Saran Dunya and accompanied by Encik Noor Hafidz Bin Abdollah and Encik Ahmad Zaki Suhaimi began with a visit to the tuber planting area by fertigation. The tubers that MARDI is working on fertigation are sweet potatoes. In addition, the students also have the opportunity to see the durian trees that are flowering and are expected to bear fruit at the end of the year. MARDI is working on several types of durians such as D99, Musang King, D24, and many more. Students also visited the planting site of jackfruit and cempedak trees. There is also a variation of the combination of jackfruit and cempedak called Nangcem. The jackfruit tree is producing fruit and the fruit produced is estimated to weigh up to 30-kilograms each. Only the best fruits will be sold on the market. The closing ceremony was held briefly at 12 noon.

Thank you and appreciation to MARDI, Bintulu under the management of Encik Abu Bakar Azman Bin Abdul Hamid for accepting the visit of the students who took the PRT2008 course as well as giving high cooperation and commitment in the success of this program. It is hoped that networking efforts between universities and external agencies whether government or private can be continued to strengthen the nation's human capital.

Date of Input: 12/07/2022 | Updated: 12/10/2022 | lanz