FAMA Wants to Cultivate ‘Musang King’ and ‘Black Thorn’

KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA) will introduce the cultivation of high-grade clones of ‘Musang King’ and ‘Black Thorn’ durians in Sabah.

Its chairman Tan Sri Badruddin Amiruldin said the pilot project will kick off once the location of the farm, soil and temperature suitability at the farm are confirmed.

He said the long-term plan is to commercialise these durians for the domestic and international markets.

“Sabah has plenty of beautiful lands and is endowed with lands that are suitable for fruit planting,” he said, adding that the State is a favourite destination among tourists from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, who love fruits. He also said that FAMA would visit China next month to promote Malaysian fruits especially durians.

“We will even promote durian paste as a delicacy in China,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at the Istana here yesterday.

On another matter, he said FAMA would open a factory in Tenom to process bananas from Sabah. “We are now exporting Sabah bananas to peninsula and Sarawak as the bananas here have their own unique texture and taste.

“If we process and pack them nicely, we can improve their quality and thus better returns in the oversea market,” he said, adding that the local cultivators would also earn more.

Meanwhile, Badruddin urged landowners who have idle lands to contact them so that ‘something could be cultivated on the land.’

“Our office can help whether the landowner wants to cultivate vegetables or fruits,” he said. FAMA can assist rural folks to earn better if they have crops that can be marketed.

“The farmer can register with us and we will market their produce for them,” he added.

He also urged Sabah youth to play their role in the food truck industry which is growing in popularity. Present was FAMA deputy director-general Mohd Anis Mohd Yasin.

Source: New Sabah Times