KUALA LUMPUR: More farmers and agroprenuers are urged to venture into durian farming, which has emerged as the nation’s new source of wealth.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said durian varieties such as Musang King, Blackthorn and Udang Merah, were highly sought after in the international market, and the government was facing a challenge to meet the demand due to lack of players.
“Durian farming has developed really well, compared to several years ago, when the best Musang King was only sold in Singapore.
“But, today, things have changed and we are taking the lead in durian, especially the Musang King variety,” he said, adding that China alone imported about 1,000 metric tonnes of durian from Malaysia a year.
“Those days, we could get a durian for a mere 50 sen or one ringgit a kilo at roadside stalls, but today the cheapest, from up north to down south, is nothing less than RM5 per kilo,” he said at the Agrobank‘s 50th anniversary and inaugural durian festival here today.
Salahuddin said the government was currently in discussions with certain parties, including Felda, on how to maximise production and make the durian a fruit that’s available all year round.
“One option being considered at the moment is to convert unused Felda land for durian farming purposes.
“Discussions with Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali are underway to find which Felda lands are most suitable to farm durians, mainly the Musang King,” he added.
Salahuddin said the durian business had opened up new prospects for more farmers, not only big industry players, but also the smaller ones who might not have enough financial resources to participate in large scale exports.
“Small players who are keen on expanding their business can do so by applying for loans through Agrobank.”
The durian festival was part of Agrobank’s initiative to expand its networking and provide business opportunities for agropreneurs in durian-related businesses.
Also present at the event were Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Sim Sze Tzin, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan, and Tourism Malaysia senior director (domestic and events) Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghaparl.
Agrobank acting/covering president/chief executive officer Khadijah Iskandar said, since 2004, Agrobank had given RM90 million in financial assistance in the form of loans to more than 339 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in the durian business.
“We have a target to give out RM1billion financial assistance and loans for SMEs this year, and urge more durian farmers and those in the industry to seize this opportunity,” she added.