Abang Johari says this is possible given the state’s huge land mass and tropical climate
Abang Johari tries his hands at opening a durian with a durian opener while Uggah (right), Mohd Morshidi (second left), Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (fifth left), State Science Research advisor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang (fourth left) and Dr Tan (left) look on. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Abang Johari (fifth left) and Uggah (fifth right) witness the exchange of MoU between Dr Tan (fourth right) and Lai (fourth left) as others look on. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Sarawak aims to become a net exporter of fruits and fruit products not only in Malaysia but also in the region.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said with the state’s vast land mass and tropical climate, the fruit industry here has the potential for growth, thereby transforming Sarawak into a fruit hub in the future.
“Our aim is to eventually become a net exporter of fruits and in order to reach that goal, we have to first embrace technology in terms of production as well as marketing.
“By incorporating smart technology, our production of fruits will be efficient and precise especially when we are now talking about precision farming. This means that we can manage the data (of fruit production) and will be able to plan the production upstream, midstream as well as downstream,” he told a press conference after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state government and Top Fruits (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) near here yesterday.
On the MoU, Abang Johari said it is a collaboration between Top Fruits (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and the state government through the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development to explore ways to maximise fruit production and develop the fruit industry along the supply and value chain in Sarawak.
“Today we focus on durians in particular as the ‘King of Fruit’ has big potential in the international market and Top Fruits has the technology and experience not only in planting but also right up to marketing.
“For the first step, they (Top Fruits) will look into durians and I’m pleased to hear that the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development has used technology to identify areas where we can enhance the production of durians through drone technology.”
Abang Johari examines a durian seedling while touring the exhibition booths held in conjunction with the MoU signing ceremony. Dr Tan is on his left. — Photo by Tan Song Wei
He explained that the drone will be able to record the data including the soil where the durians can be planted systematically by smallholders as well as big plantations.
“The data recorded can be used for us to plan long-term production of durians especially when there are a lot of spin-off industries from the fruit these days.”
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari said apart from durians, the state should also look into the potential of coconuts.
“I was informed that the world now needs a lot of coconuts not only through the coconut flesh and water but also its husk and shell which can be salvaged for biomass purpose.
“So I will hand this over to (Deputy Chief Minister) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (Embas) to look after. From there we will also look into exploring the potential of other fruits and hopefully one day Sarawak can become a major producer of fruits for this region,” he remarked.
Signing the MoU on behalf of the state government was state Agriculture Department director Datu Lai Kui Fong while Top Fruits Sdn Bhd was represented by its director Dr Tan Sue Yee.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Uggah, Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Anthony Nogeh, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, State Agriculture Department deputy director Dr Alvin Chai and Top Fruits (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd director Chong Yie Long.
Abang Johari shares a light moment with Uggah (second right), Mohd Morshidi (left), Juma’ani (third left), Uggah’s wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang (second left) and others as he shows a piece of durian flesh taken from one he had just pried open using a durian opener. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Abang Johari examines a durian seedling while touring the exhibition booths held in conjunction with the MoU signing ceremony. Dr Tan is on his left. — Photo by Tan Song Wei