Helping Tobacco Industry

Source from:  nst.com.my DEWAN RAKYAT, 04/29/2005

Chok Suat Ling, Shamini Darshan and Jason Gerald THE Government has to consider all aspects before introducing the kenaf plant to be integrated at tobacco farms in the country. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said it was pointless to introduce kenaf to tobacco farmers if there was no demand for it. "We have taken measures to ensure there is a market for kenaf. To date, we have identified two factories, one in Kuantan, Pahang and another in Kuala Lumpur interested in buying kenaf produce," he said. Peter Chin said this in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin). To the original question by Datuk Che Min Che Ahmad (BN-Pasir Puteh), Chin said the Government, through the National Tobacco Board, has identified several suitable crops to be integrated with tobacco. "This is to ensure the income of tobacco farmers is not badly affected due to the drop in global demand for locally-grown tobacco leaves. "The integrated crops will not only enable tobacco farmers generate additional income but it will also maximise the usage of land." Enditem