Ketum sale could help improve economy, says exco
ALOR SETAR - The state government's proposal to export ketum leaves should be looked at positively in order to help strengthen the economy, especially for people who live in the rural areas of Kedah.
State Tourism, Arts and Culture, Youth and Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee Exco Mohd Firdaus Ahmad said this would be beneficial if society viewed it in a good way.
“I see that the export of ketum leaves would be a good business for farm entrepreneurs. The maturity period of the tree won’t take too long, the harvesting period could be done gradually and there is no need to wait for the season,” he said during the closing speech in the state legislative assembly sitting on Wednesday.
He said the proposal will improve the economy of the agriculture sector and would open business opportunities for those in the rural areas, by setting up an Act and operating standard procedures (SOPs) for the cultivation and sale of ketum leaves.
He said the state government's intention to commercialise ketum leaves cultivation should be welcomed, since it will provide an additional source of income to entrepreneurs, particularly those in rural areas or those who owned lands.
He added that ketum leaves are in high demand in the pharmaceutical market in the United States and in the Europe.
"A source from RISDA (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority) stated that a total of 600,000 smallholders in Kedah could benefit from an average monthly income of RM1,000 through 10 ketum trees, if the government allowed its cultivation.
