Metro

Saturday October 31, 2009

Sabahans have much to gain from Taiwan orchid cultivators

By RUBEN SARIO


KOTA KINABALU: Players in Sabah’s fledgling flower industry, particularly those involved in orchid cultivation, have much to learn from countries with more mature growers such as Taiwan, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin.

He said that orchid growers in the state should not only focus on increasing yield but also on the number of commercial varieties.

EYECATCHING: The Sogo Yokidian Moth Orchid species

Yahya, who is also state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said that Sabah had all the qualities of an orchid producer as the state was home to more than 1,000 species.

They include the internationally-renowned Slipper and Butterfly Orchids.

“Besides orchids in the wild, we have hybrids that have caught the imagination of orchid lovers worldwide.

VIBRANT COLOURS: Some Moth Orchid species from Taiwan on display at the exhibition in Kota Kinabalu recently.

“Despite this diversity, I am informed that Sabah remains a big importer of cut orchids. These flowers at florist shops and hotels are likely to have come from the Peninsula,” he said when opening an orchid exhibition at Star City Complex here on Wed-nesday.

Yahya said the Sabah Development Corridor master plan called for the acceleration of the state’s agricultural sector through emphasis on high-value and high-potential products such as aquaculture, non-timber products and horticulture, which includes orchid cultivation.

He said the orchid exhibition was a good opportunity for local enthusiasts to exchange knowledge with their Taiwanese counterparts and learn from experts in the field.

ATTRACTIVE: Hello Kitty, another Moth Orchid species from Taiwan

The exhibition, which promotes Taiwan’s orchids and features famous species such as the Moth Orchid, ends today.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

Source:

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Star Metro on Facebook Star Metro on Twitter