ALOR STAR: Controlled cultivation of ketum could provide significant economic and medicinal benefits, the Kedah Legislative Assembly heard today.

State Agriculture, Plantation, and Transport Committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani said the committee urged the federal government to seriously consider the potential of ketum, which could generate revenue for the state government.

"In 2022, the Kedah Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) mentioned the state government's intention to cultivate ketum for trade as a commodity.

"The market for ketum abroad is substantial, but the decision on this matter rests with the central government," he said when replying to a question from Muhamad Amri Wahab (PN-Derga).

Dzowahir said that a recent meeting was held between state plantation and commodity excos and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and the issue of ketum was among the topics discussed.

"The minister acknowledged it and, God willing, it will be discussed further to enable ketum cultivation to become a source of income, as the market is large, and we know that countries like Germany have already produced medicinal products based on ketum," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/1096532/kedah-exco-controlled-ketum-cultivation-can-boost-economy