Sunday, July 29, 2012
There’s money in ‘karas’ tree
SIBU: Most Sarawakians lack proper knowledge and skills to plant ‘karas’ tree and the production of ‘gaharu’, a valuable commodity.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais reckoned that the three-day basic ‘karas’ planting course (gaharu industry) would thus help bridge the knowledge gap.
The course would also be good for the development of entrepreneurs, in particular Bumiputera, in the state.
‘Gaharu’ product was traditionally produced from the stem of a tree, but could now be scientifically churned out, he pointed out.
“The course is intended to expose entrepreneurs and those keen to venture into planting
of ‘karas’ towards a more scientific way of forest plantation, making them more knowledgeable about it.
“The reason being that not many people really have knowledge and skills relating to planting of ‘karas’ tree and producing ‘gaharu’ despite it not being something new to Sarawak.
“The role of ‘karas’ forest plantation is attracting more attention from the government as being a potential sector in substantiating non wood-based industry such as ‘gaharu’ and its oil,” Naroden said when officiating at the closing of the three-day course for Sibu division here on Friday.
His text-of-speech was read out by Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie.
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (Frim) research officer Dr Lok Eng Hai, in his presentation earlier, told the 45 participants that ‘gaharu’, owing to its lucrative price and high international demand, had been labelled as ‘black gold’ in the market.
Naroden said success stories from a neighbouring country were often heard, attributing this to the hard work by the government and researchers.
He revealed that the field of forest plantation had grown, not only in terms of opening up plantation for planting of timber but also for non wood-based products like ‘gaharu’.
The product had come under the control of Cites (Convention of International Treaty on Endangered Species) to ensure that it is not depleted.
“To protect species from the forest facing threats of extinction, replanting programmes through forest plantation had been initiated as among measures to preserve and conserve them besides generating lucrative side income.
“In this connection, the programme carried out is a noble effort of the state government to assist the country and ‘karas’ plantation operators to manage the species in a holistic manner.”
To that end, he urged the participants, from Kuching, Sarikei, Kapit and Sibu, to apply the knowledge gained and not leave them on the ‘shelf’.
“My advice is that you need to equip yourselves with skills to avoid being left behind in the government’s development and transformation programmes.”
Matnor Abang, assistant director of Bumiputera entrepreneur development unit in the Chief Minister Department and Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee were among those present.
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/05/13/theres-money-in-karas-tree-gaharu-naroden/#ixzz220WQf6xD
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Gaharu integration with Oil Palm
Try this venture, according to source, it can be done. Fungus injection when the tree reach 5 years. On the 10th years hopefully the Gaharu tree is ready for harvesting.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Scientists keen to study gaharu
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.
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.
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
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