By FOONG THIM LENG
north@thestar.com.my
Verdant hills: A view of the gaharu plantation in Kampung Sungai Itek. GOPENG’s gaharu plantation has caught the attention of local and foreign scientists who are interested to know more about the cultivation of this resinous type of heartwood.
Gaharu, agarwood, eaglewood, aloeswood are a few of the names for the resinous, fragrant and highly valuable heartwood produced by the Aquilaria spp.
Gaharu Technologies Sdn Bhd managing director David Ho Kwan Meng said he had received requests from scientists to visit the plantation and study its success story.
“Those who visited our plantation were surprised to find so many healthy plants with aromatic, dense and dark resin.”
He said the plantation in Kampung Sungai Itek, about 2km from Gopeng town, also started production of gaharu tea early this month. Latest product: Workers gathering gaharu and leaves to be processed into tea. “We processed one tonne of leaves each day for export. We have received orders from as far as Japan, the United States and China.
“We will have another factory to increase production to meet orders next year,” he said when interviewed during a visit by Gopeng MCA division chairman Alberc Chang and Gopeng Museum curator Phang See Kong recently.
Ho said gaharu tea was a health drink that could also be used as an ingredient for cooking and preparing the essence of chicken soup. “Gaharu tea is traditionally used for detoxification, eliminating flatulence, reducing blood glucose and uric acid, and for calmness.
“Other products from the company included gaharu chips and oil for export to the Middle East, China, India and Japan, gaharu biscuits, gaharu instant noodles and gaharu instant tea,” he added.
Ho said the company was founded in October 2008 to undertake intensive cultivation of gaharu-producing Aquilaria plants on a commercial scale in the 120ha plantation.
About 200,000 trees, he said, had been planted in the plantation which will be surrounded by an 8km-long wall resembling the Great Wall of China.
“The 3m-high wall is to protect the gaharu plants from thieves and animals. Some 2km had already been built with the remaining portion to be completed within two years.
“The plantation has a fortress-like entrance. It has been reported that high-quality gaharu resin could fetch up to RM100,000 per kg. “Gaharu has long played a significant role in Arabic culture and religion. It is the most expensive wood,” he said. He added that the Chinese had century-old writings mentioning gaharu, also known as Wood of Gods, in herbal medicine remedy.
“My interest in gaharu was created by my history teacher who told a story about gaharu being a much sought after plant by emperors, royal families, noblemen and the rich for its medicinal, fragrant and spiritual purposes.
“Suppliers claimed that extracts from gaharu contained anti-carcinogen, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and anti-diabetic agents. It is also said to be a cure for erectile dysfunction,” he said.
Chang and Phang were later invited to hug an old gaharu tree, an act which Ho said his visitors from the Middle East believed to be auspicious.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Agarwood capable of generating handsome profit within five years
The Borneo Post. Posted on April 29, 2011, Friday
GOOD INVESTMENT: Participants check on their six-month-old agarwood trees.
MIRI: It is expected that 100 trees of Asia Thailand agarwood species (GA-T) within its five-year mature period can generate a profit of RM100,000 under current conditions.
Director of Gaharu Asia Sdn Bhd, Celestina Ann said agarwood had been described as a millionaire tree as it promised a high investment return to the growers.
“Agarwood can be said a millionaire tree because it has the potential of uplifting the growers’ living standard and quality of life,” she remarked, adding that the GA-T species had the potential to change their future economic status within five years.
Ann said further the existing agarwood population in the Asian forests had been reduced due to uncontrolled over harvesting.
However, she pointed out not all agarwood trees in the forest produce resin.
But with the combination of the latest technology, she said the planters had no need to wait many years until harvesting.
The agarwood species, GA-T that is imported from Thailand has been identified as the best species for such investment.
Thus, Gaharu Asia Sdn Bhd from Sabah has taken the initial step by having a resale agreement with a particular company in Thailand and buyers in the Middle East.
“Our company is giving total focus on the agarwood seedling plantation from Thailand because such species already has a market. Apart from that, our company also buys back the species from the growers,” she remarked.
In addition to providing market networking, the company also offers agarwood plantation course and vaccine treatment.
The company is to organise a seminar at Dynasty Hotel Miri at 9am on April 30.
Those interested are welcome to join the seminar with the entrance fee of RM300.
For further information contact Ann at 014-8849269 or Daved (014-8567869).
GOOD INVESTMENT: Participants check on their six-month-old agarwood trees.
MIRI: It is expected that 100 trees of Asia Thailand agarwood species (GA-T) within its five-year mature period can generate a profit of RM100,000 under current conditions.
Director of Gaharu Asia Sdn Bhd, Celestina Ann said agarwood had been described as a millionaire tree as it promised a high investment return to the growers.
“Agarwood can be said a millionaire tree because it has the potential of uplifting the growers’ living standard and quality of life,” she remarked, adding that the GA-T species had the potential to change their future economic status within five years.
Ann said further the existing agarwood population in the Asian forests had been reduced due to uncontrolled over harvesting.
However, she pointed out not all agarwood trees in the forest produce resin.
But with the combination of the latest technology, she said the planters had no need to wait many years until harvesting.
The agarwood species, GA-T that is imported from Thailand has been identified as the best species for such investment.
Thus, Gaharu Asia Sdn Bhd from Sabah has taken the initial step by having a resale agreement with a particular company in Thailand and buyers in the Middle East.
“Our company is giving total focus on the agarwood seedling plantation from Thailand because such species already has a market. Apart from that, our company also buys back the species from the growers,” she remarked.
In addition to providing market networking, the company also offers agarwood plantation course and vaccine treatment.
The company is to organise a seminar at Dynasty Hotel Miri at 9am on April 30.
Those interested are welcome to join the seminar with the entrance fee of RM300.
For further information contact Ann at 014-8849269 or Daved (014-8567869).
Monday, April 11, 2011
Pemilik tanah dipelawa tanam pokok gaharu
The Borneo Post
Posted on March 25, 2011, Friday
IPOH: Sebuah syarikat bumiputera, Kayu Gaharu (M) Sdn Bhd (KGMSB) mempelawa pemilik tanah di Perak supaya menjalin kerjasama dengannya bagi mengusahakan tanaman kayu gaharu.
Pengurus KGMSB Perak Noorazman Ariffin berkata banyak tanah kosong yang tidak diusahakan di negeri itu sesuai ditanam dengan pokok gaharu yang memberikan pulangan yang baik serta tidak memerlukan kos penjagaan yang tinggi.
Bercakap kepada Bernama di sini, beliau berkata kayu gaharu merupakan satu komoditi baru yang memberikan pulangan yang menguntungkan dan wajar diteroka oleh pemilik tanah sebagai punca pendapatan.
“Malaysia merupakan pengeluar ketiga terbesar kayu gaharu selepas Indonesia dan India…permintaan terhadap produk ini amat tinggi bagi teras gaharu dan minyak gaharu.
Hanya 30 peratus permintaan keperluan dunia dapat dipenuhi dengan hasil perdagangan jual beli kayu gaharu. Permintaan dari Arab Saudi sahaja sebanyak 500,000 juta liter pada setiap kali musim haji bagi membuat minyak atar dan peluang ini harus digunakan sebaik mungkin,” katanya.
Noorazman berkata selain Arab Saudi, minyak gaharu mendapat permintaan tinggi dari Emiriyah Arab Bersatu (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain dan Oman.
“Apa yang istimewa mengenai pokok gaharu ialah ia tidak memerlukan kawasan yang luas kerana boleh di tanam di kawasan keliling rumah sekiranya tidak mempunyai kawasan yang luas kerana minyak akan dihasilkan melalui kaedah saintifik dengan suntikan inokulin pada batang pokok gaharu. — Bernama
Posted on March 25, 2011, Friday
IPOH: Sebuah syarikat bumiputera, Kayu Gaharu (M) Sdn Bhd (KGMSB) mempelawa pemilik tanah di Perak supaya menjalin kerjasama dengannya bagi mengusahakan tanaman kayu gaharu.
Pengurus KGMSB Perak Noorazman Ariffin berkata banyak tanah kosong yang tidak diusahakan di negeri itu sesuai ditanam dengan pokok gaharu yang memberikan pulangan yang baik serta tidak memerlukan kos penjagaan yang tinggi.
Bercakap kepada Bernama di sini, beliau berkata kayu gaharu merupakan satu komoditi baru yang memberikan pulangan yang menguntungkan dan wajar diteroka oleh pemilik tanah sebagai punca pendapatan.
“Malaysia merupakan pengeluar ketiga terbesar kayu gaharu selepas Indonesia dan India…permintaan terhadap produk ini amat tinggi bagi teras gaharu dan minyak gaharu.
Hanya 30 peratus permintaan keperluan dunia dapat dipenuhi dengan hasil perdagangan jual beli kayu gaharu. Permintaan dari Arab Saudi sahaja sebanyak 500,000 juta liter pada setiap kali musim haji bagi membuat minyak atar dan peluang ini harus digunakan sebaik mungkin,” katanya.
Noorazman berkata selain Arab Saudi, minyak gaharu mendapat permintaan tinggi dari Emiriyah Arab Bersatu (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain dan Oman.
“Apa yang istimewa mengenai pokok gaharu ialah ia tidak memerlukan kawasan yang luas kerana boleh di tanam di kawasan keliling rumah sekiranya tidak mempunyai kawasan yang luas kerana minyak akan dihasilkan melalui kaedah saintifik dengan suntikan inokulin pada batang pokok gaharu. — Bernama
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Our 'black gold' faces risks
IT'S not called the black gold of the forest for nothing.
Gaharu, the fragrant resin which resides deep within the heartwood of certain tree species, is one of Malaysia's most prized natural resources.First traded globally 2,000 years ago, the aromatic treasure is today feeding an industry worth millions in US dollars.
Malaysia, together with Indonesia, form the biggest suppliers to markets like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Most of our exports are wild agarwood or gaharu, as it is locally known. This highly-scented resin is formed naturally when a "sick" tree, usually of the karas species, heals from a fungal infection.
Some claim that the infection sets in after lightning strikes the karas, or Aquilaria tree. Others say it's the doing of animals -- the clawing of tigers, pecking of birds, or nesting of ants inside the trunk. Whatever the circumstances, it remains one of the world's greatest mysteries.
Prized the world over for centuries, gaharu has had its usages recorded far and wide since the days of the Pharaohs.
Today, hundreds of tonnes of gaharu are traded each year, involving at least 18 countries. It is used as medicine, fragrance, food flavouring and gifts, and also in cosmetics and religious rituals.
It could fetch anything from RM80 to over RM20,000 a kilogramme, depending on the grade.
The country has never experienced a "gaharu craze" as intense as in the last few years, says Datuk Dahlan Taha, president of a local gaharu traders association called Pengharum.
"Gaharu incense became extremely popular in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong five years ago because of its natural properties. And over the years, demand from the UAE has been escalating. "That was when Malaysian traders stepped up their production to meet those demands."
In fact, half of the declared volume in international trade in 2005 came from Malaysia, says a report by wildlife trade monitoring group, TRAFFIC. Our official export figure stood at RM56 million last year, but traders could well be making many times the amount due to the high price gaharu fetches when it goes out into the international market.
World export in 2007 was after all, valued at a staggering RM650 million. This good run, however, could be short-lived.
Experts have warned that the country's status as a sustainable forest management advocate could be severely challenged if Malaysia failed to address mounting threats undermining its wild gaharu population.
TRAFFIC's report Wood for the trees: A review of the Agarwood trade in Malaysia has revealed that illegal harvesting and a lack of effective management of much of the legal harvest are major causes for concern.
Soaring demand has led to rapidly diminishing stocks in the wild, rising prices and concerns over future supplies.
Today, seven out of 18 agarwood-producing tree species found in Malaysia are at risk of global extinction.
Even though the trade is regulated through a system of permits by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and with Malaysia capping its export quota at no more than 200,000kg a year since 2007, it is believed that more of the aromatic wood is leaving the country through illegal means.
Illegal harvesters entering protected Malaysian forests operate in a highly-organised manner, giving rise to speculations that it's not the work of mere individuals, says Noo rainie Awang Anak, co-author of the report.
"These collectors roam the jungle for up to six months, felling and killing karas trees and poaching wildlife. "Every 30 days or so, they will meet a middleman at a specific location to trade their catch with daily supplies. "It hints at a syndicate-operated business."
Despite almost 200 arrests between 1992 and 2005, there appears to have been no decline in the level of illegal harvest in Malaysia, the report says.
Just four months ago, enforcement agencies raided a jetty in Pulau Banding, Perak, and seized 2,000kg of gaharu which was one of the biggest seizures coming out from the Belum-Temenggor forests.
Gaharu, the fragrant resin which resides deep within the heartwood of certain tree species, is one of Malaysia's most prized natural resources.First traded globally 2,000 years ago, the aromatic treasure is today feeding an industry worth millions in US dollars.
Malaysia, together with Indonesia, form the biggest suppliers to markets like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Most of our exports are wild agarwood or gaharu, as it is locally known. This highly-scented resin is formed naturally when a "sick" tree, usually of the karas species, heals from a fungal infection.
Some claim that the infection sets in after lightning strikes the karas, or Aquilaria tree. Others say it's the doing of animals -- the clawing of tigers, pecking of birds, or nesting of ants inside the trunk. Whatever the circumstances, it remains one of the world's greatest mysteries.
Prized the world over for centuries, gaharu has had its usages recorded far and wide since the days of the Pharaohs.
Today, hundreds of tonnes of gaharu are traded each year, involving at least 18 countries. It is used as medicine, fragrance, food flavouring and gifts, and also in cosmetics and religious rituals.
It could fetch anything from RM80 to over RM20,000 a kilogramme, depending on the grade.
The country has never experienced a "gaharu craze" as intense as in the last few years, says Datuk Dahlan Taha, president of a local gaharu traders association called Pengharum.
"Gaharu incense became extremely popular in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong five years ago because of its natural properties. And over the years, demand from the UAE has been escalating. "That was when Malaysian traders stepped up their production to meet those demands."
In fact, half of the declared volume in international trade in 2005 came from Malaysia, says a report by wildlife trade monitoring group, TRAFFIC. Our official export figure stood at RM56 million last year, but traders could well be making many times the amount due to the high price gaharu fetches when it goes out into the international market.
World export in 2007 was after all, valued at a staggering RM650 million. This good run, however, could be short-lived.
Experts have warned that the country's status as a sustainable forest management advocate could be severely challenged if Malaysia failed to address mounting threats undermining its wild gaharu population.
TRAFFIC's report Wood for the trees: A review of the Agarwood trade in Malaysia has revealed that illegal harvesting and a lack of effective management of much of the legal harvest are major causes for concern.
Soaring demand has led to rapidly diminishing stocks in the wild, rising prices and concerns over future supplies.
Today, seven out of 18 agarwood-producing tree species found in Malaysia are at risk of global extinction.
Even though the trade is regulated through a system of permits by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and with Malaysia capping its export quota at no more than 200,000kg a year since 2007, it is believed that more of the aromatic wood is leaving the country through illegal means.
Illegal harvesters entering protected Malaysian forests operate in a highly-organised manner, giving rise to speculations that it's not the work of mere individuals, says Noo rainie Awang Anak, co-author of the report.
"These collectors roam the jungle for up to six months, felling and killing karas trees and poaching wildlife. "Every 30 days or so, they will meet a middleman at a specific location to trade their catch with daily supplies. "It hints at a syndicate-operated business."
Despite almost 200 arrests between 1992 and 2005, there appears to have been no decline in the level of illegal harvest in Malaysia, the report says.
Just four months ago, enforcement agencies raided a jetty in Pulau Banding, Perak, and seized 2,000kg of gaharu which was one of the biggest seizures coming out from the Belum-Temenggor forests.
Monday, January 10, 2011
CIF tingkatkankualiti hidup, sosioekonomi
KUCHING: Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) memperuntukkan satu geran yang dikenali sebagai Community InnoFund (CIF) bagi membantu masyarakat akar umbi meningkatkan kualiti hidup serta sosioekonomi mereka.
Menterinya, Datuk Seri Doktor Maximus Johnity Ongkili melalui kenyataan akhbar di sini semalam berkata, peruntukan itu adalah untuk membangun dan meningkatkan kualiti, proses dan khidmat yang berinovasi serta mempunyai nilai ekonomi di kalangan masyarakat Malaysia.
“Belaga yang terletak di Kapit, Sarawak mempunyai penduduk yang terdiri daripada beberapa kumpulan etnik seperti Kenyah, Kayan, Punan, Penan, Kajang dan Tanjung.
“Satu organisasi ditubuhkan iaitu Pembangunan Komuniti Asap Koyan (AKDC) bagi menjaga hal ehwal sosioekonomi masyarakat di sini terutama berkaitan pembangunan Empangan Bakun,” katanya semasa majlis pelancaran Projek Gaharu AKDC-MOSTI 2011.
Katanya, dalam pembangunan Empangan Bakun, sebuah tasik berkeluasan 695 kilometer persegi dan berkedalaman 228 meter dari aras laut akan dibangunkan di kawasan Belaga.
Jelasnya, kawasan yang ditenggelami air ini merangkumi keseluruhan kawasan sumber ekonomi utama masyarakat tempatan Belaga iaitu sumber makanan dan hasil hutan seperti gaharu.
“Pada 9 Jun 2010, AKDC telah ditawarkan geran projek CIF sebanyak RM300,000 oleh MOSTI bagi melaksanakan fasa pertama projek peningkatan sosioekonimi sekitar Empangan Bakun melalui pembangunan kemudahan Ekstrasi produk Oleoresin Gaharu dan aplikasi teknologi Inokulasi Pokok Karas.
“Fasa pertama projek ini ialah aplikasi teknik dan teknologi inokulasi untuk menghasilkan resin gaharu secara aruhan dan Agensi Nuklear Malaysia dilantik sebagai agensi pelaksanaannya dalam membantu projek ini,” kata Dr Maximus.
Untuk maklumat lanjut berhubung projek ini, sila hubungi Mohd Fafri Osman di talian 03-89250510/019-6991172 atau e-mel ke fajri@nuclearmalaysia.gov.com.
Menterinya, Datuk Seri Doktor Maximus Johnity Ongkili melalui kenyataan akhbar di sini semalam berkata, peruntukan itu adalah untuk membangun dan meningkatkan kualiti, proses dan khidmat yang berinovasi serta mempunyai nilai ekonomi di kalangan masyarakat Malaysia.
“Belaga yang terletak di Kapit, Sarawak mempunyai penduduk yang terdiri daripada beberapa kumpulan etnik seperti Kenyah, Kayan, Punan, Penan, Kajang dan Tanjung.
“Satu organisasi ditubuhkan iaitu Pembangunan Komuniti Asap Koyan (AKDC) bagi menjaga hal ehwal sosioekonomi masyarakat di sini terutama berkaitan pembangunan Empangan Bakun,” katanya semasa majlis pelancaran Projek Gaharu AKDC-MOSTI 2011.
Katanya, dalam pembangunan Empangan Bakun, sebuah tasik berkeluasan 695 kilometer persegi dan berkedalaman 228 meter dari aras laut akan dibangunkan di kawasan Belaga.
Jelasnya, kawasan yang ditenggelami air ini merangkumi keseluruhan kawasan sumber ekonomi utama masyarakat tempatan Belaga iaitu sumber makanan dan hasil hutan seperti gaharu.
“Pada 9 Jun 2010, AKDC telah ditawarkan geran projek CIF sebanyak RM300,000 oleh MOSTI bagi melaksanakan fasa pertama projek peningkatan sosioekonimi sekitar Empangan Bakun melalui pembangunan kemudahan Ekstrasi produk Oleoresin Gaharu dan aplikasi teknologi Inokulasi Pokok Karas.
“Fasa pertama projek ini ialah aplikasi teknik dan teknologi inokulasi untuk menghasilkan resin gaharu secara aruhan dan Agensi Nuklear Malaysia dilantik sebagai agensi pelaksanaannya dalam membantu projek ini,” kata Dr Maximus.
Untuk maklumat lanjut berhubung projek ini, sila hubungi Mohd Fafri Osman di talian 03-89250510/019-6991172 atau e-mel ke fajri@nuclearmalaysia.gov.com.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Talk on exploiting economic potential of agarwood
Talk on exploiting economic potential of agarwood
Story and photos by PHILIP HII
philiphii@thestar.com.my
A TALK on agarwood (gaharu) and its economic value will be held on Dec 1. Organised by Dr Luhat Technologies Institute (DLT), its director Dr Elli Luhat will share his knowledge on the subject starting 7pm at the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry premises.
Fabian Tang, DLT Institute’s representative in Sibu said the oil from the tree fetched a high price in international markets and mainly used to produce traditional medicine, health and wellness products, incense and perfume. He said various places in the state had begun planting agarwood, which takes about three-and-a-half years to grow, commercially and the talk was to encourage more people to venture into this sector.
Money tree: Agarwood trees have very high commercial value.DLT Institute will charge RM30 per participant but the talk is free for those who purchase two 10-month old agarwood seedlings.Those who buy one will be charged RM20. Each seedling costs RM50. Tang can be contacted at 019-8188885 or 019-8892495 for more details.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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