Communication in Agriculture Extension

Communication is a basic necessity in agriculture extension activity. What is Communication?..... many people said that communication is very easy and simple that is TALKING ONLY but actually it is more than that. Communication is an art to transfer information from one sources to other target through various means. Information can be sent through various way such as Voices, Sign, Colour, Appearance, Movement, Temperatures, Wave length and other forms. Talking is a communication from one person to another persons is commonly understood about communication through Verbal Communication. Communication can be original ability but mostly can be trained professionally through Communication Skill Training Program. Proper training can improve communication skill with ability to influence people. Good speaker such as Adolf Hitler, Soekarno, Muamar Gadafi, Ahmedinejad is a charismatic born speaker and many people can accept his speech during that era.

For extension agent they need to be excellent in communication skill. He must be able to Speak, Read and Write fluently in their own language or local dialect or medium. they has to meet farmers according to the farm visit schedule and must be able to talk about agriculture technology and wise knowledge in farming activity. Extension agent should be able to translate any issues raises by farmers and provide them with alternatives of solutions. Discussion among farmers and entrepreneurs carried out in positive manner so that the community will benefit equally. Each farmers allowed to throw-out their ideas and give them chance to talk positively. Extension agent than extract all ideas and guide them to a communal accepted solution.. that is an excellent communication skill in extension.

By,

M Anem
Senior Agronomist and 

Communication Speaker.

Extension agent visit Tagal Fishing
project at Ranau Sabah.
Malaysia.
(Updated on 15 January 2015)

FARM RECORD KEEPING

Direct selling fresh from the farm. Keep any record?

Do you know what is Farm Record Keeping?
Farm record keeping is an activity to record all farming activities so that the farmers can analyse their profit margin. Farm Record Keeping is one important component in Farm Management Practices. Ability of farm managers and Commercial Farmers to record either by manual or computerised method analysed towards year end or periodically. Farms Inputs Record is to write all input used in the farm such as Fertilizer Usage, Chemical, Weedicide, Seed, Planting Materials, Organic Manure, Plastic Silvershine, Basket, Nylon and many others.

The data recorded in a farm Input Record Form indicated by Date of Purchase, Amount used, Input Balance and Price of Inputs. Farm Labour Record keeping is to record all cost of manpower to do all farm activities from land preparation to harvesting up to grading and selling the product. It's unit was mandays ( 1 mandays equivalent to 8 working hours to do one activities) and the cost per mandays depending on the area i.e normally about RM 20.00 per mandays in Malaysia. There is Farm Family Labour and Hired Labour in Farming Activities to be recorded. Yield Production Record Keeping is one important record to write all yield from the farm and indicated by Date Of Harvest, Amount Harvested (kg), Price per unit (RM/Kg) by grade and marketing outlet. Its is important to record by each commodities separately.

Me Deliver farm Management Lecture at Kg Ba' Kelalan, Interior Sarawak

Each crop cycle must has one record keeping system especially for short-term crop such as vegetables. For perennial crop the recording activities less due to nature of activities. Farmers can tabulate all farm records after one cycle or one season and start doing Farm Financial Analysis. Cost of Production calculated by dividing amount of production (Total Farm Yield) by Total Amount of Cost of Production and if the value is RM 0.60 means the cost of production for one kg is 60 cents (Farmers has to sell the produce more than 60 cents to make a profit). Farmers analyze their Gross Profit Margin by deducting Total Farm Income (Yield x Price) and Total Cost of Production (Costs of Inputs/Cost of Labour/ Other miscellaneous Cost). If the value is NEGATIVE means farmers are Losing and if the Value POSITIVE means farmer is gaining or make profit.

Farmers can calculate Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) by dividing Total Gross Income by Total Costs of Production to indicate every one unit (RM1.00) the farmers invested how much is the return, if the value is RM2.15 means that every RM1.00 farmers spent it will give a return of RM1.15 extra as a profit. Other method to do farm analysis is to count Payback Period whereby how long the activities to be carried out so that the activities results profitable ventures in the units of Months or Years. Net Present Values (NPV) is other method to analyse farming activities. It uses special formula in a Farm Cashflow for each commodities. Microsoft Excel Programme has a VPV Formula in the cashflow system and very useful.

For further information of Farm Management Subject please refer to my Lecture.

By,
M Anem
Senior Extension Specialist
Malaysia

Malaysian Giant Prawn

The Malaysian Giant prawn as exotic for local dish .

Malaysian Giant Prawn (Udang Galah - Sepit Biru) or botanical name as Microbrachium rosenbergii found in major Malaysian River as one of the exotic prawn. It sized as maximum to 3 feet in arm length and up to 1.2 kg in weight. Normally local fisherman used manual fishing technique to catch this Malaysian Giant Prawn using traditional "Alat Memancing Udang". I experienced to catch udang galah at Sg Endau River in Mersing, Johor few times. The prawn has maximum size to 1 feet length of the blue arm (Sepit Udang Biru). From my experience catching Udang Galah at Sg Endau was very challenging due to its strength using small boat.

We use small sampan with 5 hp engine boat and has to locate several points to ensure better catch. Normally we use 4 - 6 fishing unit with "Local Cacing"as a bait. The udang Galah is very tricky when we pull out from the water because it must be slowly pulled-up. Upon reached water surface is the most critical part as the prawn hardy trying to escape... so it's all the best experienced in fishing Udang Galah.


The writer with Pak Halim at Sungai Endau, Mersing, Johor to catch Giant Prawn.

The price of Udang Galah ranged from RM 35/kg to RM 50/kg depending on the season and size of the prawn. It is the best to eat if we fry upon catching with better sweet taste. Normally after 20-30 small udang galah in one area its only an get one pieces of Giant Udang Galah. Other place to catch Local Malaysian Giant Prawn (Udang Galah) such as Sg Rompin, Sg Muar, Sg Rembau, Sg Perak, Sg Kuantan and few others. Those who interested to catch Malaysian Udang Galah must read the information about udang galah before try to start fishing!
GIANT PRAWN...KNOWN AS UDANG GALAH...
FRESH PRAWN...EXPENSIVE AND EXOTIC...


By
M Anem
Kaki Pancing.
Endau, Mersing,
Johor, Malaysia.

EXTENSION WITH MS IS0 2001

Visiting Agent with District Officer giving technology advice to farmers in fertigation project.

Department of Agriculture State of Johore is the one and the only Department of Agricukture in Malaysia certified with Malaysian Standard (International Standard Organization) in Extension Service ("Khidmat Pengembangan Perladangan Komersial") to-date. The certification was started in 1998 with MS ISO version 1996 and now with version 2001 whereby next year with version 2008. It involves 4 Main Procedure and 12 Supportive Procedure with one Modified Manual Quality. I experienced in MSO KPPK from the begining until now for more tha 14 years. Auditing and validation process for our MS ISO by SIRIM QAS (a company under SIRIM International).

Main ISO content is the extension system following standard procedure that 5 steps for implementation include Preparing Business Plan, Preparing Annual Extension Programme, Extension Implementation system and Extension Monitoring System. Among sub-activities in the extension to be implemented was Farmers Training, Farm Visit, Demonstration Plot, Farmers Visit, Farm subsidy and input assistence.

The system audited by Internal Auditor every periodical time and than audited by External Auditor every year normally by QAS Auditor (SIRIM). The main Quality Procedure were changed accordingly (minor improvement procedure) that appproved under MKSP Meeting. We the officer in the department proud of what we have done for the past 10 tears doing MS ISO in extension service.

The certification ceremony launcged by Stae Caunsellor and SIRIM at Puter Pan Pacific Hotel. All 8 districts and Headquarters implement KPPK for extension services. Gap Analysis for farmers income is one factors suditors like to examine. The 2 monthly meeting and MKSP Meeting organised monthly meetings.

By:

Mohd Anin

Muar

Crop Demonstration Plot

AN IDEAL DEMONSTRATION PLOT UNDER STRUCRUTED GLASS HOUSE AT SEGAMAT, JOHOR PRODUCE QUALITY AND QUANTIYEGETABLES.

Crop Demonstration Plot is an area selected by the DOA (Dept of Agriculture) within the farmers farm which fall under certain criteria. This plot will be used as a training ground for other farmers to see the relevant technology introduced such as Planting System, New Crop Variety, Fertilizer and method of application, New Chemical and the Usage, IPM, farm management and others. Agriculture Extension officers will supervised the selected farmers to follow Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) procedure so that the plot is presentable to others. The farmers are willing to follow and able to communicate very well with some basic knowledge or experienced in farming activity.

Agriculture Extension Services by Department of Agriculture recognise Farm Demonstration plot as a way to transfer agriculture technology to the clientelle especially in food crop production so that the produce must be best quality and safe to eat. Most popular comodities determined under this concept are Leafy vegetables (Spinach, Brassica, Kailan, Kangkng), Cash Crops (Yam, Tapioca, Maize) , Paddy and selected tropical fruits (papaya, pineapple, avio etc). DOA also provide some assistance to the farmers in the forms of Technical Training, Basic Crops Inputs and advisory services.

It is good if the sorrounding farmers come freely to see and having hands-on training on the Crop Demonstration Plot. In Muar District about 12 Crop Demo Plot implemented this 2009 which involved various project such as Paddy (Sg Balang, Sawah Ring, Teluk Rimba, Kesang Gate), vegetable (Kg Sagil, Kg Sengkang, Kg Paya Mas, Kg Seri Jaya), Mas Cotek (Pt Jamil), Papaya (Kg Muda Jaya Pagoh) , Nilam (kg Jorak) and Pineapple (Kg Semerah baru, Kg Air Hitam).

By

Anim,

AO Muar

SUBECT MATTER OFFICER in EXTENSION

SMO's and farmers gathered at Pisang Tanduk Farm in Pontian, Johore.
This project impact project mainly to develop GAP system in problem soil.

What is SMO?

SMO is a short form for Subject Matter Officer.

Subject matter Officer is a group of senior and experience officer in their own category to be referred as a source of agriculture technology and teach extension agent.

Agriculture Extension Services in Department of Agriculture Malaysia is an activity to transfer technology from sources to extension agent and later to farmers as main clientele. Farmers ranged from commercial farmers, medium category, small farmers, subsistence farmers and agencies. In delivery system Subject Matter Officer (SMO) in the Technical Branch will teach extension agent every two week in special selected agricultural technology. All SMO has to undergo special training how to gather information and teaching skill. Most of them are graduate and gain focus training to a certain skill.

An annual training program for SMO and Extension Agent conducted at Agriculture Training Center or District Office. SMO has to teach and show hands-on training following Training Cluster (Crop, Agrobase Industry, Farm mechanization, Soil Management, Crop Protection, Enforcement Act etc). The training program organised by District Agriculture Office under SPTP Training Program 6 monthly. Training module by SMO follows Formal Lecture and Hands-On Training.

SMS (Subject Matter Specialist) are much better categories in Extension Service Concept. The SMS's is a specialist in certain field in deep and so all expert. For example in mushroom technology, SMS of mushroom are competent to talk about abalone mushroom and all matters about mushroom such as the economic analysis, diseases, pests, Good Agriculture Practices, Operation costs and others. He must attain professional training and experience in mushroom project or activity for many years.

By

Mohd Anim

DOA Johor

Industri Asas Tani Muar

Projek Industri Asas Tani (IAT) Jabatan Pertanian Johor bagi Daerah Muar terdiri daripada pelbagai kluster Produk iaitu Produk Makanan Ringan, Produk Hasilan Kelapa, Produk Jus, Produk Hasilan Soya, Produk Kerepek, Produk Kuih Tradisional, Produk Pes, Produk Hasilan Laut, Produk Kek dan Bakeri, Produk Makanan Sejukbeku dan sebagainya. Usahawan yang aktif sentiasa diberikan khidmat pengembangan melalui pegawai-pegawai IAT/PKT Daerah dan Kursus-kursus Teknikal secara berjadual. Selain daripada bantuan peralatan dan mesin usahawan juga di bantu dari segi peningkatan kualiti produk dan promosi produk serta pencaarian luang pasaran. Aspek-aspek Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) dan HACCP serta persijilan HALAL MALAYSIA menjadi sasaran setiap usahawan. Mereka diberikan pengetahuan tentang Analisa Untung Rugi Projek serta membuat anaalisa sensitivity pprojek.

Terdapat seramai 128 usahawan di Daerah Muar/Ledang yang telah berdaftar dengan Pejabat Pertanian Muar sehingga Tahun 2008 dengan jumlah nilai pengeluaran sebanyak RM 7.85 juta setahun. Mereka dipantau aktiviti pengeluaran oleh Pegawai2 IAT Jabatan Pertanian dengan menggunakan Borang SKU 1 hingga SKU 7 yang mencatitkan segala produktiiviti setiap usahawan yang di bimbing. Antara peserta yang berjaya mencapai pengeluaran melebihi RM100,00 sebulan adalah seperti Aini Ayub (Panchor - makanan sejuk Beku), JT Sinaran Bukit Gambir - Pes Makanan), UNS Enterprise (Sg Sudah- Mas Cotek), Nasuha Enterprise (Herba), Tudin Enterprise (Kundang Ulu -Sos Cili Cendawan) dan En Alip Samsuddin (Produk Hasilan Laut). Produk mereka merupakan produk yang berkualiti, Pembungkusan yang menarik serta melepasi ' sensery Test' Jabatan Pertanian Malaysia.

Mereka juga berdaftar dengan Portal Agribazaar (http://www.agribazaar.com.my/) untuk memudahkan peluang pemasaran melaui internet. Pembeli, pengedar dan peminat boleh berhubung dengan Pejabat Pertanian Muar/Ledang untuk keterangan lanjut senarai pengusaha IAT di alamat :

Pejabat Pertanian Muar

314, Jalan Kamariah,

84000, Muar, Johor.

(Tel: 09-9522845)

Membuat kuih cakar ayam dan Produk mee siput simbol IAT Muar

Berminat nak melawat?

Contact DOA Muar 07-9522845

INTERGRATED FARMING

Goat Barn at Muar with more than 450 heads.

Integrated Farming is a mix of Crop, Animal husbandry , Aquaculture and Processing of agricultural waste. It will optimise farm resources to a better profitable activities. Farmers need all suitable agriculture knowledge and appropriate technology for integrated farming. The best combination of activities depend on the ability of the farmers to manage the project and location suitability. For crop or animal husbandry combination there was no special location required as per aquaculture project. Aquaculture needs special area with excellent water supply in and out so that the fish cultured able to grow accordingly.

The most common integrated farming in Malaysia today's was rearing cattle or goat under palm oil plantation. The project was implemented by private sector, estate sector, small farmers and other entrepreneurs. The cattle rearing by Guthrie Plantation, SEDC , FELDA Schemes, FELCRA and other plantation seems to be very promising. Total Farm Management system has to be practiced so that the available grass formulated enough for cattle to graze with about 4-6 heads per hectare for matured palm oil plantation. Electric Fencing was used as the control boundary in cattle rearing under palm oil area.

Fish pond with fresh water fish project also integrated with food crop to maximised farm production. Fresh water fish such as Tilapia, Pacu, Carp, Catfish, Rohu, Patin, Ornamental Fish among the best fish in Malaysia. Food crop such as Tapioca, Yam, Lemon Grass, Herbs, Banana, Leafy Vegetables popular to grow around ponds. The Carp Fish suitable for growing grass as their feed. Pellet normally used as commercial feed for fresh water fish in Malaysia.

The ideal integrated farming was a combination of Cattle or Goat with fresh water fish in few ponds surrounded with food crop project. There was a complete feeding cycle between all three categories. The crop harvested and produce leaves and by product utilised for animal feed or fish (Carp).

The introduction of Beneficial Micro-organism (EM) with the usage of commercial inputs will ensure a suitable environment for optimum farm production.

Visit of DOA Official to Banana Farm at Muar.

In Johore about more than 100 integrated farming has been identified with a combination of crop cultivation , goat rearing and aquaculture is common. Mr Ahmad from Kg Pinang Seribu, Muar is one of the farmer deal with goat rearing ( 850 head) with catfish (8 canvas unit) and grown orchard (Banana, Durian, Duku and Guava) earn about RM 2,300/net/month. Department of Agriculture provide extension services to him following Extension SPTP system.

By
Mohd Anim
DOA, Muar

Graha Patriotika

Graha Patriotika at Tanjung Kling , Melaka was known as A Leadership Training Center in 1986 - 1996. This center trained more than 10,000 official for 5 days each batch and last long for 10 years. I am one of the facilitator and trainer together with 30 others personnel. Our special guest speaker was Dato' Mohd Zam Abdul Wahab (State Secretary). Those who still remember the training would has a sweet memory . . . EVERYBODY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHANGE FOR A BETTER LIFE.

Foto above: The group after each session training in front
of Graha Patriotika Tg Kling, Malacca in 1991

Our facilitator after training session (Seen there areMohd Anim, Razak, Samingan, Pakir, Sharabudin and Yati).

MOHD. ANIM

MIADP/DOA

SOCCER TEAM IN 1983

SOCCER IN 1983 IS POPULAR DURING EARLY DAY IN MALACCA, I REMEMBER OUR TEAM MATE ALWAYS HAS A FRIENDLY MATCH AND IT WAS A NICE MEMORABLE TIME...
ANY CORLICKS IN THIS TEAM PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!

The team at Sg Udang Football Club, Malacca in 1983.

Me and Mr Nasir during "Treasure Hunt Motorist" at Air Keroh, Malacca.

Mr Nasir now a Celcom (I met him 4 years ago)

TRIP TO GUA MULU, SARAWAK

IN 1996, WE WENT TO MULU CAVES IN INTERIOR SARAWAK.
IT WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST CAVE IN ASIA IN WHICH SEVEN (7) BOEING 747 CAN PARK INSIDE.... AT EVENING THERE IS A UNIQ "BAT DANCING" FOR MILLION OF BAT GOING OUT...
THE MEMORY OF 13 YEARS AGO...

At the center of Mulu Caves... A lot of Guano.

Fly back to Miri Airport by Twin Otter Plane.

STUDENT TIME!

Group Farming GPC !0 at Farm in 1978.

Hello Friend !

All graduate from UPM 1977-1982; Bsc Agric Science.
This is the memory of us... Above is the 8 student during Farm Practical nearby the serdang Lake (seen are 8 of them - kamil, mansor, Jalil.Siva, Goh (late muhamad ) etc)
After 27 years of graduation ...
Where are we now,
Hope for GOOD HEALTH, HAPPY and CHEERFULL!


Modd. Anim Hosnan
Muar, Johor

Our 2nd year UPM student visitParlementary Session in 1979!All look like a handsome student. Che Mat, Omar, Rani, Hamid, Borhan, Me,Idrus and Goh

Victory Day 2009!

AO received the award from the ministers in 2008 and later in 2009 as National Champion

WHAT A VICTORY DAY!


A Victory Day for Agriculture Officer Muar/Ledang, Johor 2009:

This year is the victory Year for District Agriculture Office Muar and Ledang Johor due to the National, State and District Champion Competition. The AO received award from Minister of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry at MOA Putrajaya on 17 August 2009. The award consists of certificates, Medal and Cash Money from organizers. On top of that the winners was send to Thailand and Myanmar. The competetion was an annual activities conducted by Department of Agriculture under supervision from MOA and it's components.

Champion of Johor State Quality day Competition on:

1. Best Extension Agriculture District Office 2009 (3rd for national)
2. Best Extension Area 2009
3. Best Service Area 2009 Competition
4. Best Group Farming 2009 (1st for National)
5. Best Gropu Farming State Level 2009
6. Second in Office Lanscape Competition 2009
7. Second in Agrobased Industry 2009 (State Level)
8. Best Idle Land Pproject Dev. Programme

Won Champion for two continuous year in Pertandingan Kelompok Jaya Kebangsaan
2008 and 2009.... Never happen to any disrict! in DOA Malaysia.

WHAT A SUCCESS AND VICTORY!

By

M Anem

DOA Muar

Go to Pinatubo!

Group members visit Visa Barangay, Near Pinatubo Mountain.

The Pinatubo mountain . . .Just Exloded!

LOS BA NOS, MANILA 1990

• First time I attend International Course in Manila (UPLB)
• Duration for 10 days with 21 others
• Participants from ASEAN and China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal
• Course on "Data Management on Rural Development"
• 22 participant from 12 countries
• Any friend still remember , please contact ,Thanks

Visit Manila with Jeepney in 1990 (19 years ago)

SEMAUL UNDONG CENTER, SEOUL, KOREA

Participant visit Traditional Village in Korea. Still remember cowlicks?

• Attend Semaul Undong Course at SUC, Seoul, Korea
• 12 days visited 12 city . . . Samsung City, Hyundai, Ulsan ...
• 4 days Official Training with Local Leaders
• Is there any cowlicks in this photo still around?

At semaul Undng Center, Seoul, Korea in Autumn 1991.

REFRESHING COURSE BY IAC, AT LOS BANOS, PHILIPINES

This course cunducted at UPLB, Manila from 3-14 Nov 2003.
Participant from 12 countries froam ASEAN, ROC, Taiwan dan others
Lecture and Field Trip to various location
Stay at SEARCA Center.
Leisure at Waterfall.

TRAINING AT VIENTIANE, LAOS


This training for ASEAN member countries conducted and organised by JICA and ASEAN Secretariat.
Conducted at Hotel in Viantiane
Resource person from Japan, Sri Lanka and Locals.
Expose participant to agriculture agrobase potential and standards.

PROJEK KHAS PAGOH,MUAR,JOHOR

Bangsal Cendawan di Kg Sg Raya, Pagoh yang di biayai Projek Pagoh.

Projek Khas Pertanian Pagoh, Muar

Projek Khas (PK) Pertanian Pagoh merupakan satu dari Lima Projek Khas di bawah Kementerian Pertanian Malaysia selain daripada PK Jeli, PK P. Pinang, PK Luar MADA dan PK Sik. Projek ini menjalankan aktiviti pertanian seperti Tanaman, Ternakan, Ternakair, Pengembangan, Industri AsasTani dan Pemasaran Produk. Kos Projek dari 2005 hingga 2009 bagi PK Pagoh bernilai RM 20 juta melibatkan Jabatan Pertanian, Jab. Perkhidmatan Verterinar, Jab Perikanan, FAMA, LPP, MARDI dan LPNM serta agensi sokongan lain. Peruntukkan dari Kementerian Pertanian ini di uruskan oleh satu Jawatankuasa Pemandu yang di pengerusikan oleh Menteri Pertanian Malaysia.

Urusetia JKuasa Teknikal memeriksa semua permohonan projek sebelum di sokong unt uk kelulusan. Skop Projek ditentukan oleh Kementerian termasuk kos untuk bahan input projek, Kos Infrastruktur, Kos Latihan dan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia.

Projek Cendawan Tiram antara kejayaan ketara dengan 20 projek dan kapasiti pengeluaran sebanyak 320 mt setahun selain daripada Projek IAT dengan pengeluaran RM 1.2 juta setahun. Projek Cendawan yang dihasilkan mendapat sokongan daripada satu Syaikat 'Anchor Company' iaitu C&C Mushroom iaitu yang membeli secara kontrak dengan harga RM4.00/kg. Ternakan Lembu Daging dan kambing bebiri di Padang ragut Lubok bakul dan Estet2 Sawit mempu mengeluarkan daging sekitar 102 mt sebulan. bagi prodk IAT telah di jenamakan "JAJAN"dan bagi produk segar telah dijenamakan "PAGOH FRESH" dimana banyak dipasarkan di sekitar Muar dan R & R Pagoh.



AO Muar beri taklimat

semasa pelancaran

PBU Pagoh oleh Menteri Pertanian

Pembinaan Kompleks PBU Pagoh bernilai RM 21 juta seluas 25 ekar mampu memberikan peluang untuk para Usahawan menjalani Latihan Keusahawanan pada tahun 2010. Kompleks ini juga mempunyai Bazaar Pemasaran FAMA serta Pusat pembungkusan FAMA dan Pusat Makmal IAT dan Makmal Cendawan, Rumah Kaca dan makmal Nenas. Komponen lain dalam PBU ialah Projek TKPM Fertigasi Pagoh (RM 1.5 juta) serta Projek 'Fishprotech" ikan burundi oleh LKIM bernilai RM 10 juta.

By

AO Muar

Johor

PEGAGA - Khasiat Tradisional

Pegaga (Centella asiatica) atau juga dikenali sebagai pokok antanan (Dipanggil 'pennywort' dalam Inggeris) adalah sejenis pokok ulam dari keluarga Mackinlyaceae yang terdapat di Malaysia serta di negara-negara ASEAN lain. Tumbuhan ini merupakan tanaman jenis herba dan ulaman yang mengandungi khasiat yang penting. Tiada catitan rasmi keluasan tanaman pegaga di Malaysia tetapi penulis menganggarkan lingkungan 40-70 hektar CHE. Tanaman ini kebanyakannya ditanam dalam pasu atau keliling rumah dan hanya sebahagian kecil petani menanam secara komersil di kebun sayur. Artikel ini mempaparkan dalam "Anim Agro Technology" mengenai tanaman pegaga sebagai sejeni tanaman herba yang mempunyai pelbagai kegunaan terutamanya untuk kesihatan.

Beberapa kajian mengenai tanaman pegaga telah dibuat oleh saintis2 di Malaysia mengenai khasiat pegaga. Tanaman ini merupakan sejenis tanaman renek yang mempunyai daun berwarna hijau dan dikatakan sangat mudah menyerap air dan bahan galian. Kajian menunjukkan jika pegaga ditanam dikawasan yang tercemar (terutama dengan logam berat) akan menyerap bahan tersebut dan tidak sesuai untuk dimakan. Pegaga mudah ditanam diatas tanah atau pun di dalam pasu atau kontena dikeliling rumah. Kaedah penanamannya juga mudah iaitu dengan benih keratan batang.

Kajian mengenai kandungan pegaga yang di jalankan oleh beberapa penyelidik mendapati setiap 100 gram pegaga mengandungi 87.7% air, 2.0% protin, 6.7% Kaarbohiderat, 0.2% lemak dan 1.6% Serat. Zat lain yang terdapat dalam pegaga seperti Vitamin A (0.4 mg), Vitamin B1 (0.09 mg), Vitamin B2 (0.19 mg), Vitamin B3 (0.2 mg) dan Vitamin C (1.6 mg) setiap 100 gm pegaga. Pegaga juga kaya dengan bahan galian seperti Kalsium (171.0 mg), Ferus atau Zat Besi (5.6 mg), Sodium (21.0 mg), Pottasium (391.0 mg) dan Posforus (32.0 mg). Pegaga juga mengandungi komponen PECTIN yang sangat penting dalam sistem imunisasi badan manusia. Terdapat 4 jenis asid penting dalam jus pegaga iaitu Asid Asitik, Asid Medekasic, Asid Mendekasida dan Asid Terunasid yang perlu untuk kesihatan badan manusia.

Terdapat beberapa jenis pegaga di Malaysia seperti berikut:

a. Pegaga cina atau pegaga nyonya
b. Pegaga Daun Lebar
d. Pegaga Kelantan
e. Pegaga Renek
f. Pegaga Salad
g. Pegaga Gajah
h. Pegaga Brunei

Pegaga tumbuh di kawasan tropika yang terbuka dan tumbuh melata di padang rumput, kebun, ladang, tepi jalan dan sebagainya. Di negara lain seperti Indonesia, jenis-jenis pegaga yang ada adalah daun kaki kuda, tikusan, pani gowang, pegagan. Ianya di tanam atau tumbuh secara liar dan digunakan sebagai ulaman dalam makanan harian. Pegaga mempunyai daun berbentuk separa bulat atau oval yang tepinya ada bentuk. Batangnya menjalar dan mempunyai ruas-ruas yang akan mengeluarkan akar setiap ruas apabila berada diatas tanah. Akar pegaga merupakan akar cetek yang perlukan kawasan agakl lembab untuk tumbuh subur. Pokok pegaga di tanam dengan keratan melalui kaedah Vegetatif.

Tanaman dalam pasu atau bekas keliling rumah menggunakan media tanah yang dicampur dengan baja organik. Penanaman diatas batas sesuai dengan jarak 30 cm x 50 cm dan pastikan batas diberikan baja asas organik. Benih tanaman menggunakan keratan batang sepanjang 6-10 cm dan sebaiknya mempunyai akar untuk mempercepatkan pertumbuhan. Penyiraman dengan air bersih adalah perlu. Pembajaan disyorkan menggunakan baja organik (Baja Tahi ayam atau tahi kambing) tetapi baja tambahan dengan baja NPK 15:15:15 sebanyak 10-15 gm sepokok untuk kesuburan daun adalah perlu untuk menjamin kesuburan. Pengalaman saya di Melaka mendapati petani menggunakan baja organik dan baja Foliar (Baja daun yang disembur pada daun).

Kawalan rumai dibuat dengan cara manual iaitu dengan mencabut dengan tangan. Penanaman diatas batas yang subur biasanya tidak membenarkan rumpai untuk tumbuh (Rumpai berada ditepi2 batas atau laluan antara batas). Elakkan sama sekali menggunakan racun rumpai (Jika nak guna sebelum nenanam seperti Racun Rumpai Pra-Cambah).Tanaman pegaga tidak mudah diserang perosak dan penyakit. Pegaga sesuai dituai 3-4 bulan selepas ditanam untuk mendapatkan khasiat yang optima. Daun pegaga boleh dipetik 1-2 bulan selepas ditanam untuk dijadikan ulam. Penuaian dijalankan dengan mencabut keselruhan rumpun pokok dan dibersihkan dari tanah. Jika untuk jualan ulam boleh dihantar terus ke pasar dan jika untuk di proses boleh dihantar kekilang memproses pegaga.

Pegaga Segar dimakan segar sebagai ulam dan juga kini telah ujud industri memproses pegaga untuk dijadikan makanan kesihatan. Kandungan Pectin dalam pegaga telah dibuat kajian klinikal sememangnya terbukti meningkatkann imunisasi badan dan menyebabkab awet muda. Pegaga di proses untuk dijadikan Teh Pegaga, Jus Pegaga (Foto sebelah), Pil Pegaga, Komestik Pegaga dan sebagainya di Malaysia. Jika di kaji ianya akan banyak lagi pproduk2 baru yang boleh di cipta dan dipasarkan dipasaran dunia.

Khasiat Pegaga memang kaya dengan pelbagai zat makanan seperti protein, gentian, zat besi, vitamin A dan C. Amalan memakan daun pegaga dipercayai boleh mengekalkan awet muda serta mengelakkan masalah kegemukan.Pegaga banyak terjual di pasar terutamanya di pasar tani dan sering dimakan sebagai ulam. Daun pegaga juga boleh dibuat tonik untuk menyihatkan badan dan mengurangkan panas badan.Di India, pegaga diguna dalam perubatan tradisional sebagai tonik yang dapat menguatkan daya ingatan dan mengubat penyakit nyanyuk. Dalam perubatan tradisional Cina, pegaga digunakan untuk antaranya untuk mengubati selsema, sakit kuning dan penawar untuk keracunan cendawan dan gigitan ular.

Antara khasiat lain pegaga adalah:
a. penawar alahan
b. banti kanser
c. melawaskan air kencing
d. penawar batu karang
e. penawar kencing berdarah
f. penawar ulser
g. merangsang peredaran darah
h. merawat cirit birit
i. mengurungkan tekanan darah


Penanaman ulam pegaga patut digalakkan dikalangan penduduk dalam bandar dan luar bandar sebagai Tanaman Ulaman. Kaedah penanaman dan penjagaan adalah mudah selain daripada dapat bekalan pegaga yang segar. Saya suka makan pegaga sebagai ulam dengan sambal belacan atau di buat "Urap Pegaga". Urap pegaga dibuat dengan menyediakan ramuan terdiri dari cili api, bawang merah dan bawang putih (Goreng dahulu), ikan bilis , garam serta sedikit gula yang ditumbunk dalam lesung batu. Gaulkan ramuan tersebut dengan kelapa parut dan kemudian dipanas sekejap atas api. Pegaga yang dihiris halus digaul dengan ramuan tadi. Menambakkan lagi keenakan Urap masukkan daun cekur yang dihiris halus. Dah siap...dimakan dengan nasi panas yang lembik... SELAMAT MENCUBA!


Related articles:
1. Ulam Raja (Klik disini)
2. Selom (Klik disini)
3. Ulam Tenggek Burung (Klik disini)
4. Maman (Klik disini)
5. Pucuk Gajus (Klik disini)

TANAM ULAM....PILIH PEGAGA...
DALAM PASU....SENANG DIJAGA....
MAKAN SEGAR...KHASIAT TERPELIHARA....
BACA ARTIKEL....INGIN MENCUBA...


By,
M Anem
Senior Agronomist,
Jalan Istana, Persimpangan Bukit Beruang,
Bandar Melaka,
Melaka
Malaysia
(Kemaskini pada 3 September 2013)