KOTA BARU: Mohamad Zulfazli Mohamad Arifin, 28, is reaping a lucrative income from growing cucumbers.
He ventured into cucumber farming in 2018, cultivating 1,000 baby cucumber plants through fertigation on 0.3ha of land in Kampung Kubang Palas, Banggu, here.
At that time, he had left his job as a logistics employee in a company in Singapore and couldn't find a job in Malaysia.
"I was drawn to farming by the success of a schoolmate, Mohd Fadir Fuzai, who was getting tens of thousands of ringgit growing cucumbers. I planted the crop myself with my savings of RM15,000."
Zulfazli, who is a Bachelor of Maritime Operation Management graduate of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, said the venture paid off with an initial income of RM20,000.
"The cucumbers were sold for RM2 to RM3 per kg."
He started growing other crops, such as petola (luffa gourd), chili and bitter gourd by seeking guidance from farmers, as well as attending courses offered by the Agriculture Department.
The second of six siblings said he could harvest as much as 400kg of cucumbers daily, assisted by 10 workers.
"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), my farm is growing. The farm size has increased to more than 2.2ha, some of which is leased from locals for RM300 to RM700 annually."
He said sales had been affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but he managed to market the crop outside Kelantan, especially at the Selayang Market and Klang in Selangor, while also producing snacks for sale.
"My wife, Aina Fatini Md Rizan, 24, produces sambal bilis and fried bitter gourd for sale. I also plan to make pickled cucumbers to prevent dumping of excess harvest." --Bernama