TROPICAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN MALAYSIA Mohamed Mohd. Salleh Horticulture Research Centre Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute

INTRODUCTION Peninsular Malaysia - 131 598 km2. East Malaysia - 198 069 km2. 1 and 7° North and longitudes 100 and 119° East. Average daily temperature is 21 to 34°C.

Introduction (continued) Humidity around 80%. Evaporation 3 - 4 mm/day. Average precipitation 2 500 mm. Day length about 12.5 hours.

AGRICULTURE IN MALAYSIA Malaysia has 4.06 million hectares of agricultural land. 80% of it cultivated with industrial crops such as oil palm, rubber, cocoa and coconut. AGRICULTURE IN MALAYSIA

Agriculture in Malaysia (continued) Agriculture contributes 8.5% to Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of Malaysia worth USD 5.6 billions in 2004. 61% comes from industrial crops and 39% from agricultural food crops.

Agriculture in Malaysia (continued) Export earnings from agricultural sector is about USD 10 billions in 2004 78.6% comes from palm oil, sawn logs and timber and only 21.4% comes from food sector.

Agriculture in Malaysia (continued) Malaysia import about USD3.5 billion worth of food each year. Current deficit in agriculture, especially food bill is about USD1.35 billions.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON AGRICULTURE Third National Agricultural Policy (1998-2010). Agriculture recognized as third engine of growth after manufacturing and service sectors. Ninth Malaysia Development Plan (2006-2010) where agriculture and balance of trade are reemphasized.

FRUITS Area planted with fruits is about 310,000 ha, Production at 1.831 million metric tons, Export at USD127.75 millions to mainly Singapore, Hong Kong and Middle East, Import of fresh fruits at USD174 millions,

Fruits (Cont.) Per capita consumption of fruits is currently at 39.2kg/year. Under 9th Malaysia Plan, fruit production will be increased from 1.59 million mt in 2005 to 2.56 million mt in 2010 (10% p.a.), Increase in Self Sufficiency Level for fruits from current 117 to 138%,

Fruits (Cont.) 15 Major fruits given emphasized are:- Pineapple (Ananas comosus) – 14,928 ha, Papaya (Carica papaya) – 3,016 ha, Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) – 4,443 ha, Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) – 1,115 ha, Banana (Musa paridasiaca) – 27,602 ha, Citrus (Citrus sinensis) – 6,208 ha, Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) – 6,633 ha,

Fruits (Cont.) Durian (Durio zibethinus) – 112,119 ha, Guava (Psidium guajava) – 1,827 ha, Mango (Mangifera indica) – 9,389 ha, Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) – 2,975 ha, Dokong (Lansium domesticum) – 36,263 ha, Ciku (Manilkara zapota) – 1,049 ha, Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) – 25,423 ha, Cempedak (Artocarpus champeden) – 11,118 ha.

FRUITS INDUTRILIZED ZONES (FIZ) Dokong Mango Citrus Jackfruit Papaya Pineapple

VEGETABLES Area planted with vegetables is about 44,000 ha, Production at 637,000 million metric tons, Export at USD122.5 millions to mainly Singapore, Import of fresh vegetables at USD401.7 millions, especially temperate vegetables,

Vegetables (Cont.) Per capita consumption of vegetables is currently at 45.9kg/year (2005). Under 9th Malaysia Plan, vegetable production will be increased from 771,300 mt in 2005 to 1.13 million mt in 2010 (8% p.a.), Increase in Self Sufficiency Level for fruits from current 74 to 108%,

Vegetables (Cont.) Popular vegetables grown in the lowlands leaf mustard - 10,397 ha, long bean - 3,290 ha, cucumber - 2,870 ha, water convolvulus - 2,645 ha, spinach - 2,474 ha, chili - 2,125 ha, lady’s finger - 1,537 ha, loofah - 1,175 ha, french bean - 1,112 ha, Chinese kale - 1,108 ha.

Vegetables (Cont.) Cabbages - 1,4005 ha, lettuce - 994 ha, Popular vegetables grown in the highlands Cabbages - 1,4005 ha, lettuce - 994 ha, tomato - 753 ha,

STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVING THE TARGETS Transforming traditional farming into modern commercial farming, Land consolidation and rehabilitation of idle lands, Improved infrastructures with good drainage & irrigation facilities, Application of latest technologies and knowledge-based production system,

Strategies to achieving the targets (continued) Adequate funds for investment and easier access to credits, Easy access to markets, Permanent Food Production Parks, Contract farms with guaranteed markets and minimum prices. Encourage semi process & processed fruits & vegetables.

CONCLUSION The fruit and vegetable industries in Malaysia has the potential to further grow and contribute to the expansion of the agricultural sector. The Third National Agricultural Policy has stressed that fruit and vegetable production be upgraded to meet the growing domestic and export markets. Production is expected to increase through expansion in cultivation area as well as improvement in productivity per unit area of cultivation.

Conclusion (continued) Advances in research especially in breeding, production systems, pest management, post-harvest technology as well as on cropping systems that are environment friendly are needed in order for the vegetable and fruit industries to achieve the Ninth Malaysia Development Plan targets.

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