Azlan Othman & Achong Tanjong

LOCAL farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs are showcasing their products at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Expo 2009 beginning yesterday until Nov 30.

Hj Ilias Hj Matussin from Sahamada Corporation Sdn Bhd, the winner of the Progressive Entreprenuer Award, has penetrated the Japanese market with his ‘Cinta’ sauce and will be market to new destinations possibly in India, Malaysia and Dubai next year. “The Japanese like to use my sauce especially when eating Tahai Fish and hot chili flavours with salad or sausage,” he said.

Hj Illias expressed his gratitude for receiving the award and consideres it a challenge to expand his products while he also plans to introduce ketchup, vinegar and mayonnaise products in the future.

Another entrepreneur, Hj Kahar Hj Tinggal, who is showcasing his aloe vera drink, said it is a good opportunity to introduce such drinks to the locals for only $1 per cup. He planted the fruits at Kg Pengkalan Batu.

While his product has already entered the Sabah market with 4,000 cups delivered monthly, he plans to penetrate the Hong Kong market, possibly in December. His only obstacle now is to own a machine to increase production as currently the drinks are only processed manually at his home.

“Both the locals and Sabahans tend to like my aloe vera as no preservatives are used. Aloe vera can heal wounds, enhance our body’s immune system, reduce stress and fatigue,” he said. Hj Kahar also plans to widen his plantation to a new four-acre site.

An Indonesian worker, Sharijan, who breeds mushrooms and sells it in bulk at Pasar Rani, Sengkurong, said that his superior’s superb agricultural farm has been running the business for about a year. The items used to plant the mushrooms comprise wood dust and corn seedlings.

The expo also serves as a place to introduce new food menus such as local fruit-cake, `Membangan’ and the `Kembayau’ soup, created by Royal Brunei Catering. Both these items are seasonal fruits and only introduced by the RBC restaurants during the fruit season.

Another local company, Bioprop Sdn Bhd, is showcasing their organic fertiliser, which is the first in Brunei using EM (Effective Microorganisms/ Bacteria Friendly) agricultural—technology from Japan.

According to Mohd Jamar Shahzuin Mohd Haji Jaffar, the product (EM- fertiliser) has been tested at a one hectare paddy field in the Tutong District. It has been proven to be effective.

“We planted three seedlings and after a few weeks, it grew and produced five sticks of paddy,” he said. The EM fertiliser is also widely used in other countries including Malaysia. He said the BP-EM fertiliser helps farmers to produce high quality paddy whilst enhancing their productivity. It does not contain chemicals and is not poisonous. The most important part about the EM fertiliser is that it helps maintain the land structure and is easy to use. It is also reasonably priced for farmers. The company’s project is to focus on melon planting after paddy. Members of the public are welcome to visit their booth at the expo.

Another participant, Syarikat Ayahning Hj Jaafar, is showcasing his ‘Double-Layer Mouse Trap’ and ‘mini incubator’.

According to Haji Jaafar bin Awang Besar who manufactures the products, he has been involved in creating the items for 10 years now after retiring from BSP Sdn Bhd. “I created the ideas by myself and never learned from others,” said Haji Jaafar.
The product is not only sold in Brunei but also in Malaysia (Sabah). Haji Jaafar is one of the winners in the 2009 “Cipta Award” for his creations.

According to the entrepreneur, this is a new method to catch more rats in one night, not just one or two but it can hold up to 15 or more rodents in a single double-layer mouse trap. It is easy-to-use with an auto shut door. Rats climb up and are trapped on the second floor, while the rest follow.

Another product on display is the mini-incubator. It is an automatic sensor that can accommodate about 50 eggs. This is also a very popular product, he said whilst adding that it can also be used to hatch swan, chicken and bird eggs. It costs about $100 depending on the size.

Another company that produces locally made handicrafts is May Handicraft Enterprise. Hjh Maymon Hj Mohamad said that the company markets genuine Brunei handicrafts and works of art. She said some of the products have been exhibited and received good response from the Japanese market.

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