Farm Biosecurity

Was doing so field work in Sabah and had the opportunity of meeting some people in Ministry Of Agriculture. This topic Biosecurity pops up we had a short discussion on this.

What is Biosecurity (Farm)?
 Biosecurity is the management of risks to the economy, the environment, and the community, of pests and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading.
We as a farmer, it is our responsibility to set up measures designed not only to protect our property from the entry and spread of pests, diseases and weeds but also spreading these to our neighbors.. Farm biosecurity is our responsibility, and that of every person visiting or working on your property.

If a new pest or disease becomes established on your farm, it will affect your business through increased costs (for monitoring, production practices, additional chemical use and labour), reduced productivity (in yield and/or quality) or loss of markets. Early detection and immediate reporting of an exotic pest or disease increases the chance of effective and efficient eradication.

Management of Biosecurity risk had always been in place and MOA had taken the initiative to tighten and enforce these measures. We had been shown items that had been confiscated and had starting to quarantine the whole farm, pending investigation. 

Govt taking stringent steps to prevent entry of diseased produce

Had time to drop by Sabah Tea garden form a break. Had Tea, Fritters and Ice cream.

It feels good to be back in the field.
#TreatTheSoil #BioSecurity

Agro Technology Park, MARDI Langkawi.

Took Airasia to Langkawi last week, it cost us $50 for 2 person, return, all in, and took the opportunity to visit MARDI Langkawi. It cost only $5 (Malaysian, show MyKad) for a guided tour with tropical fruit tasting.

Interesting highlight is the insect/ pest management and the 'slow releasing' fertilizer. By attracting the males insect with a sticky trap, the population shall dwindle. Fertilizer are pack into old packing bags and this create a 'slow release'.
The Secret of the Giant Star Fruit.

This is done with a camera trick with the photographer holding the star fruit closely to the camera to create a giant effect.
There is a fish pond, harvesting the water from Gunung Raya via gravity feed.

  Some water breakers are put on the water way to improve oxygen. The level of the pond can be controlled by the inlet and over flow outlet and divert back to the river. The water is so cool and clear.

Jack fruits and Dragon fruits.
We also took the opportunity to visit some Rubber trees plantation in Langkawi.

For older Rubber tress, they are practicing double tapping. Some tap on two areas and some tap twice a day, once early morning and another tap in the evening.

Was so happy to see these clones rubber trees that is being harvested at a young stage. Hopefully ours can start to harvest in 3 years' time.