KENINGAU: Sabah aims to expand its avocado cultivation area to 600 hectares by 2035 as part of efforts to strengthen the state's high-value crop industry.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the current avocado planting area in Sabah stands at 318 hectares, with Keningau accounting for 132 hectares comprising various mixed varieties.
"We are targeting 600 hectares of avocado cultivation by 2035," he told reporters after attending the Taiwan-Malaysia Avocado Planting Networking Seminar at the Lembah Durian Conference Hall here recently.
To achieve the target, Jamawi said the ministry would approve 50,000 planting materials to be subsidised for avocado growers throughout Sabah.
He said efforts to expand avocado cultivation must be supported by technology transfer, skills enhancement and stronger collaboration with countries that have extensive experience in the industry.
"As such, programmes like the Taiwan-Malaysia Avocado Planting Networking Seminar provide an important platform for exchanging ideas, knowledge and expertise on cultivation techniques and post-harvest management," he said.
Jamawi also expressed appreciation to Sabah Softwoods Hybrid Fertilizer Sdn Bhd for sponsoring the programme and to the more than 60 participants who attended.
Among those present were delegates from the Taiwan Avocado Association, officers from the Agriculture Department, representatives from TF Net, researchers and members of the Malaysian Durian and Tropical Fruit Growers Association (MASDA).
He said one of the avocado varieties currently cultivated in Sabah is QAV1, better known as Avocado Quoin Sabah.
Jamawi hoped similar programmes would continue annually to enable local growers to benefit from the experience and technologies developed by avocado producers in Taiwan.
He said such knowledge-sharing could accelerate the growth of Sabah's avocado industry while improving productivity and the quality of local produce.
According to industry statistics, Taiwan recorded 2,376 hectares of avocado cultivation and produced 22,599 metric tonnes of avocados in 2024.
Meanwhile, MASDA chairman Duani Evans thanked Jamawi for his continued support for the development of the tropical fruit industry and for attending the programme.
Separately, Jamawi attended a meeting on the proposed construction and upgrading of the Pangi-Tenom Road at the Tenom Pangi Power Station meeting room.
He also paid a visit to a family who had recently lost a loved one to convey his condolences.
Comments
Post a Comment