Terengganu will become a kenaf hub in Malaysia after the Ministry of Industry, Plantation and Commodities plans to create 10,000 hectares of Terengganu Valley Kenaf in the area.

Its minister, Dato 'Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali, said he had been in talks with Terengganu Chief Minister Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar in identifying potential areas for development.

"To date, kenaf crops have been planted since 2016 in the 230-acre Setiu area and the main cultivation areas are in Kampung Guntung and Kampung Bahagia.

"There are 296 registered growers in Terengganu and 119 from Setiu. Each one owns two to two hectares of land, so we intend to expand it," he said when met by the media yesterday.

Also present were Setiu Member of Parliament Shaharizukirnain Abdul Kadir, Deputy Director-General of the National Tobacco and Tobacco (LTKN) (Management and Operations) Idris Mohd Salleh, LTKN Strategic Planning Division Director Mohd Fadzhel Mohd Nasir.

He added that in Setiu there is also a 'non-voven thermoboarding' processing plant.

"Located in Saujana Village and is the only one in Malaysia," he said.

Kenaf products are known for their eco-friendly and easy-to-use properties.

Among the kenaf products are 'biodegradable' food containers, fiber mattresses, hospital disposable kits and 'Pet Litter'.