Kuala Lumpur, Nov 27 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today took time off to join a local fruit feast of durians, rambutans and mangosteens at Parliament House.
He was met upon arrival by Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) chairman Tan Sri Badruddin Amiruldin.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, his deputy, Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said as well as members of parliament, including the opposition, attended the annual fruit fare organised by Fama.
Met by reporters, Ismail Sabri said the local fruits which comprised three tonnes of durians and one tonne of mangosteens, rambutans, dokongs and nangkas were brought to promote the campaign of eating local fruits.
“Studies have shown that the average Malaysian consumes only 45 to 50kg of fruits a year, which is (considered) low and we hope it increases to 100kg a year as it is healthier to eat more fruits and vegetables,” he said.
He said the output of durians reached 80,000 to 100,000 tonnes a season while the value of its export to Singapore, China and Hong Kong exceeded RM30 millon last year.
“There are two seasons, namely a minor season in June, July and August while the major season is between November and January,” he added.
Ismail Sabri said apart from encouraging the people to enjoy local fruits, especially the different varieties and clones of durians, the fruit feast also introduced by-products of durians such as fried durian and durian crepe.
“The by-products could value add to the national economy and food industry as they can be marketed abroad.”
– Bernama
