INSPIRED by his overseas travels, a telecommunications engineer took a different path by venturing into lemon farming in Kuala Nerang, Kedah.

       On his 5.1ha farm, Zulkhairi Kassim, 55, had cultivated more than 1,500 trees of 15 types of the citrus fruit from around the world, Utusan Malaysia reported.

       Among the variety are Eureka, Buddha’s Hand, Kumquat, Melbourne, Ponderosa, Mayer, Lisbon and Crocodile Egg.

       “Most of the types planted were brought in from other countries including Italy, South Africa, Australia and Turkey.

       “I gained the knowledge of cultivating lemons over the past few years in my travels abroad,” he said, adding that he recognised the commercial value of lemon farming.

       “What’s interesting is that most of the varieties are quite rare and grown not just for their juice but also for the citrus essence to make perfume.

       “The lemon crop in this country is also special because the fruit can be harvested throughout the year.”

       Zulkhairi has another plot in Kedah in Derang, Pokok Sena, where a nursery is located.

       According to him, the lemons are sold at the farm at RM6 per kg while those picked from the trees cost between RM25 and RM35.

       “Buyers can pick the fruits themselves, which are free from pesticide use,” he said.

       > The pro-vaccination movement sees an advocate in none other than teen celebrity Cik B.

       The 16-year-old daughter of cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Vida is exhorting the public to get the Covid-19 vaccine to help the country achieve herd immunity as soon as possible, Berita Harian reported.

       She hoped that the creative industry will rebound when more people are vaccinated.

       “My hope for all is not to neglect the responsibility of getting the Covid-19 vaccine so that we can return to living life as before.

       “Please be responsible citizens so that the arts industry can return to normal,” pleaded the young singer, nominated for three awards in the upcoming annual Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian.

       Cik B also said that even though her income was not affected during the National Recovery Plan period, she was aware that many other artistes did not have it easy because they could not go for filming and other work.

       “I pray that they stay strong and do not give up.”

       ● The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.