Fama regards ‘Anak Sekolah’ rambutans from Lachau as ‘best in the country’

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File photo shows Ishak (front, right) showing Anak Sekolah rambutans. On his right is Fama Sarawak director Shahid Abu Bakar.

SRI AMAN: The rambutans of the ‘Anak Sekolah’ variety produced by farmers in Lachau near here are the best in the country, according to Federal Marketing Agricultural Authority (Fama) chairman Ishak Ismail.

“I have been to other places, visiting other Anak Sekolah rambutan farms, and so far this (the one in Lachau) is the best, in term of size, texture and taste – this variety can easily penetrate the international market,” he told Borneo Post when visiting a rambutan farm belonging to farmers from Rumah Halary, Nyelam in Lachau.

Ishak stressed that Anak Sekolah rambutan is one of the 14 signature products identified by Fama to be marketed on a larger scale.

He said Fama is aware of local farmers facing tough times, and is looking at some solutions to solve their woes.

“Number one is solving the market accessibility issues; number two is solving the access to funding; and number three, guiding them on production,” he said, explaining that modern agriculture could be described as one with the best practices that would generate wealth.

Additionally, Ishak disclosed that a metric tonne of the fruit would be flown to Dubai today.

He also said Fama bought 27.4 metric tonnes of rambutans between Jan 1 and 12 this year, with a value amounting to RM68,500.

“A total of 3.1 metric tonnes of the fruits were sent to European markets and since Jan 14, we have received an order totalling 12.5 tonnes for the Peninsular Malaysian market,” he added.