Sabah eyes durian board to boost industry without burdening farmers

 

Datuk Jamawi Jaafar meeting the community 

RANAU: Sabah is considering setting up a dedicated durian industry board to strengthen the state’s durian sector without imposing levies on growers, said Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.

Jamawi said the proposal, which has already been submitted to the Cabinet, aims to provide structured support to farmers while addressing long-standing concerns over regulatory burdens.

“This is not a new proposal. We already have a working paper that has been presented to the Cabinet. 

"Previously, there were concerns that such a board might burden growers through the imposition of levies,” he said when officiating the closing of the Ranau Durian Growers Association annual general meeting at Rumah Rehat Lohan.

He assured that the proposed board would prioritise assistance rather than additional costs.

“For this durian board, we are working to ensure it supports farmers instead of imposing charges on their produce,” he said.

Jamawi said the establishment of a dedicated body would help strengthen planning and development of the industry, particularly in boosting the production of premium durian varieties.

He noted that Sabah currently produces only about 40 per cent of its premium durian needs, with the remaining 60 per cent imported from Peninsular Malaysia.

Premium durians include high-demand varieties such as Musang King, Blackthorn and IOI.