Zahari (centre) says the state government allocated RM9mil in 2021 to encourage farmers to grow MD2 pineapples. — Courtesy photo
JOHOR will continue to develop pineapple farming to maintain the state’s position as the main producer of the fruit in the country.
State agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said that Johor allocated RM9mil in 2021 to develop the farming of MD2 pineapples.
MD2 pineapples are one of the world’s sweetest variants and is said to have a high vitamin C content.
The variety is easily identified by its bright gold skin and uniform size.
“We have about 10,212 hectares of area cultivated with pineapple as of last year.
“This accounted for 63% of pineapple farms in the country,’’ said Zahari during his visit to Kulim Pineapple Farm in Ulu Tiram, Kota Tinggi.
Zahari said the RM9mil allocation was to encourage pineapple smallholders to venture into MD2 pineapple cultivation.
At the event, Zahari also witnessed the first shipment of MD2 pineapples from the Kulim Pineapple Farm to Germany.
He said the export to the country was made possible under a programme with the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board, Malaysia Agriculture Research Development Institute, Agriculture Department, Federal Agriculture and Marketing Authority, state-linked company Kulim (M) Bhd and Picasynergy Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd.
“The German importer had visited Malaysia in July to sample the pineapples grown at the Ulu Tiram farm,” added Zahari.
He said the first container containing 18,000kg had departed the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Gelang Patah this month, bound for Rotterdam in Netherlands.
Zahari said the pineapples would then be transported by road to Cologne, Germany, with the entire journey taking between 25 and 30 days.
“Apart from Germany, Kulim also exports the MD2 variety to China, Japan, South Korea, Qatar and Turkiye,’’ he said.
