TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS TO BE COMMERCIALISED

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based
Insustry is actively promoting cooperation with agricultural producing agencies
and foreign countries to increase production and commercialisation of tropical
fruits internationally.

"We see the huge potential for fruits like rambutan, mangosteens, guava,
durian, 'durian belanda' (sour-sop) and 'longan' and as such Malaysia will
strive to be the main country for such products," said the ministry's Deputy
Minister Rohani Abd. Karim.

Speaking to Bernama after officiating the Small Scale Tropical Fruits
Production and Development Management seminar here today, Rohani said
agricultural agencies like the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) and
the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) were
identifying global acceptance.

She said the tropical fruits were now accepted in global markets just like
bananas, pineapples and papayas.

Rohani said Malaysia and other countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Nigeria
had also agreed to cooperate in research to identify the strength of the
tropical fruit market as well as the quality.

The two-day seminar will among other things provide understanding to
participants regarding the market strength as well as cooperation on current
issues in the development of the market.

A total of 150 participants from 12 countries are taking part.
--BERNAMA


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