Tropical fruit farm operators urged to be well prepared for VMY 2020

RAUB, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Entrepreneurs in the tropical fruit industry need to prepare well for the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2020, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Sim Tze Tzin.

He said this is to intensify the agro-tourism industry which is definitely a focus of domestic and foreign visitors, especially those who love the concept of orchard-based tourism.

"All industry players need to get ready for Visit Malaysia 2020 by ensuring their products are of the highest quality. For example, for Duriotourism, they need to focus on ensuring the quality of the durians.

"Farm operators are reminded to adhere to the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (myGAP) scheme. On the factory side, they must ensure that only the best durians are exported or supplied to the local market," he told reporters here today.

Sim said this after visiting the M Durian Fruits Sdn Bhd factory, which processes various varieties of durian including frozen Musang King, and inspected the 48-acre Tanah Aina Farouq durian orchard in Raub, Pahang here.

Sim said orchard operators should prepare well so that tourists can really enjoy and have fun at the orchard while enjoying the fruits such as the 'Musang King' durians while travelling.

"Industry players need to welcome visitors who love durians. I hope the agro-tourism packages would also include the best of rambutans, mangosteen, duku langsat, etc. so that visitors are convinced to come again, " he said.

Sim also said Malaysia had exported 565 tonnes of frozen durian to China since May this year generating a revenue of RM24.3 million.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry estimates that 1,000 tonnes of premium varieties of Musang King (D197) and Black Thorn (D200) are exported to China every month.

He said the ministry was optimistic that the durian would be an industry under the New Avenues for Wealth Generation, with exports estimated to reach about RM500 million a year.

-bernama.