PM TO LAUNCH FOOD PRODUCTION PARK NEXT MONTH

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will
launch Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan (TKPM), or permanent food production
park, in Lanchang, in east coast state of Pahang on Jan 13, 2009.

In a statement here Wednesday, the ECER secretariat said the 3,600-hectare
TKPM Lanchang was one of the three TKPMs within the East Coast Economic region
(ECER), a mega infrastructure project, and one of 45 throughout Malaysia.

It said some 400ha were designated for individual smallholders, while the
remainder would be for private sector and anchor companies to allow for
modernisation and automation in agriculture practice.

"It is market-driven and will create a food chain from farm to table," ECER
said.

The ECER said TKPM Lanchang was aimed at developing the country's fruit
industry to reduce imports and improve the nation's balance of trade deficit for
food.

"TKPM Lanchang is also expected to increase output, generate value and
create more entrepreneurs and employment opportunities for the local populace.

"It will also address the growing demand arising from Malaysia's growing
population and their increasing health consciousness," it said.

It said the fruits grown at TKPM Lanchang included papaya, guava, starfruit,
banana, jackfruit, mangoes and melons and were produced according to
international standards.

Meanwhile, the ECER said the Malaysian Agrifood Corp (MAFC) an anchor
company for the development of papaya, would operate a collection, processing
and packaging centre in Lanchang to buy fruits from smallholders to market.

"To date, MAFC's papayas, which adhere to international food safety
standards such as Good Agriculture Practice (GAP), Hazard Analysis Critical
Point and Global GAP, have reached key strategic markets including Singapore and
the UK," it said.
-- BERNAMA