ISKANDAR PUTERI – The Johor government plans to develop an additional 1,325ha of coconut plantations with the aim of producing 124,313 metric tonnes of the fruit by 2027, the state legislative assembly was told today.
According to state Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip, the move is to ensure that Johor remains as the biggest producer of coconuts in the country.
It would also help to meet national demand for the commodity, as Malaysia is still reliant on imports for the produce.
Zahari said that while Johor’s output of coconut exceeds the demands from within the state, the same cannot be said at the national level.
“The country’s self-sufficiency rate (for coconuts), which is 66.6%, shows there is a very significant deficiency throughout the country,” Zahari said.
He said this in a reply to a question by Datuk Jefridin Atan (Kukup-Barisan Nasional) who asked about the state’s initiative to increase coconut plantations across the state.
“Thus, as the main producer of coconuts in the country, Johor aims to produce more coconuts over time,” he added.
Zahari also said that among the issues faced by the industry are damaged crops, lack of nutrients, climate problems, crop enemies, diseases, and issues such as aging coconut crops.
He added that some 2,650ha are needed in total for replanting areas.
Sites in Kota Tinggi and Kluang have been identified for the crop while the federal government has also allocated RM500,000 towards the restoration and replanting of coconuts involving an area size of 463ha. – The Vibes, December 8, 2022
