By S. Retnanathan

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Nov (Bernama) -- In western countries, farmers are usually very wealthy individuals but in modern Malaysia, farming is still synonymous with the poor.

However, three enterprising Malaysians -- two of them well-educated -- are starting to make local farmers proud of their profession.

The trio -- Datuk Dr Zainuddin Wazir, Marahza Abdul Majid and Zubir Zabidi-- are already earning millions of ringgit from their farms and factories.

And quess what they are doing?

Dr Zainuddin actually plants bananas, a very common tropical fruit which can grow even in the wild, on a large scale. Marahza processes organic fertiliser from cow dung and Zubir operates a food-processing factory.

Indeed, there is nothing fancy about what they do but their success has proven that there is big money to be made from the country's farming industry.

"I am prepared to share my experience through franchising my banana farm which has been proven successful," Dr Zainuddin said during the "Bicara Jutawan Tani Melayu" programme organised by Umno Youth agriculture bureau at the Putra World Trade Centre, here Friday.

Dr Zainuddin, who is a heart specialist at Island Hospital in Penang, ventured into commercial banana farming in 2002.

Today, his farming company Synergy Farm Sdn Bhd is planting Cavendish banana, a type of banana which is high in calories and potassium, on a 274-hectare plot in Penang.

Bananas from Dr Zainuddin's farm are labelled "Tropicoast". They are produced for the domestic market as well as for export.

Synergy Farm is the only farm in Asia that has achieved the ISO 9001/2000 recognition for good management. The farm also received the Malaysia Best Label from the Malaysian Farm Accreditation Scheme.

As for Marahza, he started off by rearing 400 cattle on a 50-hectare land in Dungun, Terengganu. The land was leased to him by the State Veterinary Services Department.

Later on, he started making organic fertiliser from cow dung collected from his cattle farm.

Today, Marahza has an organic fertiliser factory in Dungun. He is also collaborating with the Terengganu Veterinary Services Department to set up a training centre for youths to make organic fertiliser.

Marahza, who became an orphan when he was a year sold, is now enjoying great success beyond his wildest dream.

Zubir, who has a degree in Business Studies from the prestigious Cambridge University in England, began by selling 'rojak' gravy in his hometown Alor Star during the early 90's.

The 36-year-old is now the owner of Zuza Food Industries & Enterprise, one of the top Malay-owned food-processing companies in the country. It is synonymous with the slogan "Citarasa Unggul."

"The funny thing is that people always remember me as the guy who sells 'rojak' gravy," he said with a smile.

-- BERNAMA