Malaysia: Sarawak announces €1.5 million to increase durian production
The initiative is to be jointly carried out by the State Agriculture Department and local fruit exporter Top Fruits under the Durian Farm Rehabilitation Pioneer Programme.
“I hope the programme will yield results as early as next year. Increased fruit production will enable us to double our exports of durian paste to other countries, especially China,” said Uggah at the launching of the programme at Teng Bekap multipurpose hall here today.
Uggah said the state government - through Top Fruits - made its first shipment of 16 tons of frozen durian paste to China. “This is an encouraging start for Sarawak in the export of durian-based products,” he said.
According to sg.news.yahoo.com, during last season, Uggah said Top Fruits had purchased 80 tons of durian fruits at an average price of RM3 (€0.64) per kilogram from farmers in Kuching, Serian and Sibu. However, the fruit exporter could only produce 16 tons of durian paste as the fruit purchased was of low quality.
