Baling : Brothers gored by wild boar

Brothers gored by wild boar
NST online 2010/03/23

BALING: A 25-year-old rubber tapper received 36 stitches for deep cuts on the back, hands and legs after he was gored by a wild boar in Kampung Besah here on Sunday.

(The foto show a possible type of wild boar roaming in the nearby area)

Mohd Zubir Demat's brother, Zakaria, 34, was not spared in the attack after he went to his brother's rescue in the 7am incident. Zubir was tapping alone when the animal attacked him. Zakaria, who was tapping nearby, heard his brother's cries and went to help but the animal turned on him instead.


Both men then rushed to Baling Hospital and received outpatient treatment.

p/s: Most Planters whenever during land clearing for OP cultivation in Malaysia or other parts in the world are enjoying abundance source of exotic meats inclusive wild boar for non-muslim. They learn skills how to place traps and selecting their targeted preys. Kudos...

More costly to plant oil palm in Sarawak

More costly to plant oil palm in Sarawak
The StarBiz Monday March 22, 2010

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak oil palm plantation companies are currently battling increasing cost of production (COP), which is about 1.5 to two times higher than what their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia face, industry players said.

The average COP among efficient oil palm plantation players in the peninsula is RM1,100 to RM1,200 per tonne, while that of new and smaller planters could be above RM1,900 a tonne. The COP covers upkeep or cultivation expenses, fertiliser application, harvesting, transportation, other estate charges and labour costs.

Sarawak planters, as new entrants to oil palm cultivation, have the most challenging task because many are planting on peat land unlike their peninsula and Sabah counterparts, which plant on mineral soil.
Based on Malaysia Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) data, the total area planted with oil palm in Sarawak is 750,000ha, of which more than 50%, or about 400,000ha, is peat land.

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http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/22/business/5897690&sec=business

The 5 foods you should eat every day

The 5 foods you should eat every day

Eating right on a budget can be a challenge, but it's certainly not impossible. Consider this your cheat sheet to the 5 inexpensive foods you should eat everyday for optimum health.

#1 Leafy greens
Medical experts call them one of nature's miracle foods. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like folate and vitamins A and C that can lower your risk of cancer. Just one cup of dark, leafy greens a day could also prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

#2 Nuts
Many nutritionists recommend nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts because they're high in natural fiber. Fiber slows your digestive process, keeping hunger and unhealthy mid-afternoon snacks at bay. Goodbye vending machine runs!

#3 Onions
Studies show that consuming onions on a regular basis may reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer. Add them to soups and stir-fry, and just remember -- the stronger the onion, the greater the health benefit.

#4 Whole grains
Refined grains, like white rice and pasta, have lost 90% of their nutritional value through the refining process. As if that weren't reason enough to choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and whole oats, a recent study showed that a diet rich in whole grains actually flattens your belly by reducing fat storage in your lower abdominal region.

#5 Yogurt
Making yogurt part of your daily eating routine can improve your digestion -- if you're buying the right stuff. Check that the label lists "active cultures" to make sure you're getting healthy probiotics, and pick a yogurt rich in vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

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Felda, Felcra and Risda to pool their resources

Felda, Felcra and Risda to pool their resources
The NST online, 2010/02/25 By V. Vasudevan

PUTRAJAYA: Three government agencies involved in the agriculture sector are pooling their resources to reduce wastage and maximise output. The three -- Felda, Felcra and Risda -- signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise their cooperation in a ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak here yesterday.

The idea for the three entities to strategise their activities and maximise output was mooted by Najib in last year's budget. Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the memorandum would result in the cooperation of the three agencies in areas like the processing and transportation of produce, and production of fertilisers for their plantations.

"This cooperation will see the three organisations sharing their experiences and knowledge in agriculture production. "It will help the three synergise their resources and reduce wastage. It will also result in a staff exchange programme among the agencies," Shafie said in his speech before the signing ceremony.

Felda, Felcra and Risda have also agreed to the formation of a consortium called Synergy Perdana with a paid-up capital of RM300 million to look at ways to improve production and market the three agencies' produce. Shafie said for starters, Synergy Perdana would be looking at producing fertilisers. He said using fertilisers sourced from a common supplier would help the agencies manage cost, if not reduce it.