Biokenaf Generates Over Rm50 Mln Sales, Creates Over 50 Job Opportunities
JELI, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The commercialisation of BioKenaf products, developed through research at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), has successfully generated over RM50 million in sales and created more than 50 job opportunities for the local population.
Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said this achievement demonstrates that university research outcomes can be translated into economic opportunities, providing direct benefits to the community.
She said this success also highlights the significant potential for developing local commodities through research, the application of technology, and strategic collaborations between universities and the industry.
“This achievement demonstrates how university research outcomes can create economic opportunities for the community,” she said when officiating at the Agriculture Expo 2026 (AGX’26) at the UMK Jeli campus here today.
BioKenaf is one of the UMK research outcomes showcased at the carnival, an initiative led by Dr Maryana Mohamad Noor, who also serves as the director of AGX’26.
Noraini said the development of products based on local commodities must be further strengthened to enhance product value-add and expand market access, in line with the goals of the National Agricommodity Policy 2021–2030 (DAKN 2030).
She noted that collaboration among researchers, government agencies, and industry players is essential to ensure that research findings can be commercialised, thereby creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop new products, expand their businesses, and increase their income.
Regarding the development of the kenaf industry, she mentioned that the collaboration between UMK and the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) could help strengthen research, cultivation, and the development of downstream products based on this commodity.
According to her, kenaf has a maturity period of 120 to 150 days, with growers potentially earning between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per hectare each season.
She said the LKTN also provides technical guidance and support through its kenaf development programmes, including the Cluster Farm Programme, which offers a one-off incentive of RM3,800 per hectare to eligible growers.
Noraini noted that the rising demand for kenaf products could create more opportunities for growers to supply raw materials; this, in turn, would facilitate the growth of downstream industries, ultimately contributing to an increase in the growers' income.
Meanwhile, at a press conference later, she said kenaf is not only capable of being processed into beverages like tea, but also serves various industrial purposes, ranging from the production of oil and soundproof building materials to the manufacturing of mattresses and mushroom cultivation blocks.
Noraini said the potential for downstream kenaf products must be expanded through promotional efforts and public outreach, aimed at fostering a better understanding of the plant’s added value.
She noted that research conducted through a collaboration between UMK and the kenaf industry has successfully yielded various downstream products that could help increase the income of entrepreneurs.
“Among the uses for kenaf is the production of composite fibres for soundproof building materials, as well as raw materials for mattress manufacturing, a process currently being utilised by a factory in Terengganu.
“The plant also has the potential to be used for producing kenaf oil and mushroom cultivation blocks, thereby paving the way for a wider range of products derived from this crop," she said when discussing the potential of kenaf and efforts to increase public awareness regarding the crop.
-- BERNAMA