Pineapple To Be Crop Of Choice Among Companies - Malaysian Minister

JOHOR BAHARU (Johor, Malaysia), March 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry believes that pineapple will be a choice crop among companies intending to go into farming in the future. Its minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek (centre) said this is due to high demand from abroad, particularly from Singapore, Hong Kong and Middle Eastern countries. "Pineapple gives higher returns compared to other crops and for this reason, I believe many companies would choose pineapple when deciding the type of crop that should be cultivated in their plantations. "But this does not mean that we have to do away with padi fields," he told a press conference after visiting Kulim Pineapple Plantation, here Thursday. He said in South Korea, pineapple is a compulsory requirement in the school's fruit programme. "They believe it has high nutritional value, including enzymes for digestion and destroying protein, slowing the aging process, and treating ailments. "Thus, the fruit must not be viewed as just being juicy, sweet and crunchy but should be in the Malaysian diet," he said. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA