Teknologi Pulau (KTP). A university focusing on tourism is being developed near the western coast of Pantai Acheh. The town has several major banks, Indian Muslim restaurants including at least three Indian- Muslim Nasi Kandar outlets operating around the clock, two 24-hour convenience shops, at least three petrol stations, several clinics and various shops. The northwestern coast of the Penang Island is considered the fruit bowl of Penang, which features fruit plantations and spice gardens. Fruits include durian, rambutan, langsat, duku, mangosteen, nutmeg, clove and star fruit. Balik Pulau is famous for its durian plantations, which include the ‘ang heh’ (red prawns) and ‘holo’ (gourd like) variety. A lot of people visit Balik Pulau just to taste durian. Balik Pulau is also famous for its ‘laksa’, which is a spicy fish soup with noodles. Promoting Sustainable Livelihood An action research project promoting sustainable livelihood is being implemented in Balik Pulau. The area has a number of banana plantations but it has one major pest problem, specifically, constant attacks from the panama disease or scientifically known as Fusarium wilt. The introduction of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) as bio-control plants can reduce the attack of Fusarium wilt. There are 13 villages involved in the project (Figure 1). Corporation, which uses the Islamic Manufacturing Products (IMP) certification. The IMP is not only about producing halal products but it is an “index” to produce “Halalal Toyyiban” (permissible and good) goods and services. A halal product is chosen because of its potential as a promising and profitable business. The project aims to link the community with the herbal company; create a One Stop Centre and Cooperative for the collection of the torch ginger and banana for marketing purposes; and train and motivate the farmers and villagers in downstream activities of torch ginger and banana as the main high value end products. Methodology The action-oriented research project is long term, cyclical and continuous. The process starts with a preliminary survey to identify participants. This is followed by setting up a field trial intercropping torch ginger and banana plot in USM to test the best distance, understand the disease, treat the disease, and determine soil and hydrology factors. The project employs intercropping at six meters between the banana trees and torch ginger at three meters with the banana. A waterway is also built to create sufficient drainage for the banana plants at 1.5 meters between the plants (Figure 2). Figure 1. Map of Penang showing the 13 participating villages. Figure 2. Intercropping method of banana and torch ginger. The project is driven by partnership between the academe, through Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the private sector, through Sidratul Interested participants are identified through dialogue, consultation and benchmark data collection of existing activities (banana and torch ginger smallholders, acreage of plantation, species planted, current markets and price, among others). ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 129
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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