Tunas Grow Synergy Turns Small-scale Chilli Farm Into Thriving Business
By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen
KULAI, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- In just two years, Tunas Grow Synergy Sdn Bhd has proven that success in chilli farming is attainable regardless of land size or business experience.
Operating on only 0.61 hectares, its farm in Kampung Ayer Manis, Sedenak, in Kulai, Johor, has achieved impressive production yields, demonstrating that potential for growth lies in innovation and passion, not just in scale.
The farm has more than 8,800 chilli plants of the 461 variety and is capable of producing between 8 and 10 tonnes per production season.
Farm manager Muhamad Faqihiddin Syah Muhamad Khalil, 33, said that the output remains inadequate to satisfy the strong demand in the domestic market.
“High demand has prompted some wholesalers to purchase and collect our entire harvest directly from the farm,” he told Bernama.
Muhamad Faqihiddin said the stability of the business was also supported by market price trends, with the current selling price at around RM6 per kilogramme (kg) and capable of rising to between RM12 and RM14 per kg.
He said the farm’s chilli output was currently purchased by wholesalers in Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
Muhamad Faqihiddin said the farm uses a fertigation system based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allowing farm management to be carried out digitally.
“The fertigation system makes things easier as we do not have to water each plant individually, while also reducing manpower requirements,” he said, adding that the company had received training, grants and equipment assistance from the Johor State Department of Agriculture.
The cultivation method uses 100 per cent cocopeat (coconut fibre), without any soil, due to its ability to absorb and retain water.
Muhamad Faqihiddin said Tunas Grow Synergy, which has four members, had also obtained the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP) certification after samples of its chillies were found to contain no pesticide residues.
However, he said managing a chilli farm was not an easy task, with operators having to contend with pests such as whiteflies and thrips, which could put the plants at risk of dying.
Muhamad Faqihiddin said strong demand and the country’s reliance on imported chillies had created a vast market opportunity for local growers.
In this regard, he said Tunas Grow Synergy plans to strengthen its existing operations before expanding the scale of its farm to meet domestic demand for chillies.
Muhamad Faqihiddin hopes more young people would take a fresh look at agriculture and discard the perception that the sector is not “stylish” or outdated.
He said the agriculture sector had significant potential to contribute to the country’s future food security if pursued with knowledge and genuine interest.
The sector, Muhamad Faqihiddin added, also receives strong government support, including through the Young Agropreneur Grant, which helps youth take their first steps into the agricultural industry.
-- BERNAMA