LARUT TO BE MAJOR MUSHROOM PRODUCER

SELAMA (Bernama) - The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry plans to develop Larut as the main area for mushrooms and products based on the vegetable in northern state of Perak.

Deputy Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said Tuesday that the mushrooms grown in the area and the products derived from them were of high quality and would ensure high returns.

"Mushroom farming has a good potential here. Tesco Supermarket orders one tonne of mushrooms a day from the farmers, and this is still the early stage.

"Because of the good quality, mushrooms here are in high demand and we are trying to increase the output," he told reporters after presenting financial and other assistance to 91 poor residents of Larut.

Hamzah, who is Larut Member of Parliament, said the ministry would seek the cooperation of various government and private agencies to develop mushroom plantations and related projects.

He added that the demand for mushrooms and related products now was higher than what the local farmers could meet.

Hamzah said that integrated planning was necessary to increase the acreage under mushroom.