UTAR Faculty of Science (FSc) Department of Agricultural and Food Science celebrated the first harvest of musk melons planted in the Green House of Agriculture Park, UTAR Kampar Campus. Led by the Head of Department of Agricultural and Food Science and project leader Dr Ali Yassoralipour, and with the guidance of Hami Eco Farm Sdn Bhd, the first harvest was made on 30 November 2023.

Also present to celebrate the joy of harvesting was UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat. He was accompanied by FSc Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Dr Ali, Founder of Hami Eco Farm Sdn Bhd Mr Aw Chee Choy, faculty staff and students.

Mr Aw explained that the sweetness and harvesting time of the musk melon can be determined by looking at the development of the scare at the bottom of the fruit. The price of the premium melon is also based on the evenly distributed netting form on the surface of the melon.

The meeting also signified a positive research collaboration between UTAR and Hami Eco Farm Sdn Bhd with the signing of the memorandum of understanding in the future.

The FSc in UTAR Kampar Campus established the agriculture park for their students to explore, experiment and conduct studies on the effective methods of food production that produce higher yields and are environmentally sustainable.

Students are educated on the importance of environmental sustainability and the responsibility to conserve and expand natural resources to protect ecosystems that support health and well-being now and in the future. Students experiment, research and learn how to maintain and improve soil fertility and enhance conditions for better growth to enable farmers to increase income without causing harm to the environment.