500 METRIC TONS OF COCONUTS TO BE IMPORTED MONTHLY FROM FEBRUARY - KPKM

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has announced that an estimated 500 metric tons of coconuts will be imported into Peninsular Malaysia each month from February onwards.

In a statement today, the ministry said that the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) has taken proactive steps to address the coconut supply shortage by purchasing more mature coconuts from Indonesia, particularly for the upcoming festive seasons.

"FAMA is negotiating with new suppliers and also discussing increased purchases from existing suppliers in Indonesia," said the ministry. 

"Additionally, FAMA has identified coconut cultivation areas in Sabah and Sarawak," the statement read.

To strengthen the industry, KPKM announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Defence through the AgroDefence Project, focusing on coconut cultivation on undeveloped land owned by the ministry.

The project aims to make use of underutilised land for agriculture to increase domestic coconut production.

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KPKM also encouraged government-linked companies and the private sector to participate in the coconut industry.

"Farmers and entrepreneurs interested in cultivating coconuts can contact the Department of Agriculture for technical advice," the statement added.

KPKM urged all smallholders to send their coconut harvests to Agricultural Produce Collection Centres managed by FAMA and the Farmers' Organisation Authority nationwide, which provide them access to broader markets and ensure competitive selling prices.

-- BERNAMA