Malaysia: More land needed for coconut production
At present, coconut production stands at 539 million fruits a year compared to the yearly consumption of 611 million fruits.
“This is why we are encouraging coconut planting. We do not want to depend on imports. In Bagan Datoh, where about 10,000ha of land is planted with coconuts, we need to educate the farmers so that they do not change to other crops but instead increase production,” he said after handing over aid to farmers in the Hilir Perak District Coconut Rehabilitation Project here yesterday.
A hectare of land could produce up to 25,000 coconuts a year, added Ismail Sabri.
Demand for coconuts, he said, often increased during festive seasons like Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha as well as Thaipusam.
Currently, he said the Government had to resort to importing coconuts from neighbouring countries as the domestic supply was not enough.
“This means that there is a high demand for coconuts. The price of coconuts has not fallen drastically, with each being sold at between RM1 to RM1.20,” he said.
Source: thestar.com.my
