ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor is the main producer of the king of fruits, durian, after recording more than 287,310 metric tonnes of production within the last two years.

State agriculture, agro-based industry, and rural committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the durian industry in Johor has shown positive growth over the past two years.

He added that in 2022, there was a total of 31,500 entrepreneurs, and the numbers have shown an increase to 34,650 entrepreneurs as of last year.

Zahari added that in terms of crop area, an area of 19,979.3ha was recorded in 2022 and the size area saw an increase to 20,275.6ha last year.

"During the same period, in terms of durian production, a total of 138,945.5 metric tons was recorded in 2022 and increased to 148,365 metric tons in 2023. It has surpassed the Johor state KPI target of 141,862 metric tons by 2027.

"Johor is the main durian producer and the district that produces the most durian is Tangkak district," he added.

Zahari said this in reply to Ee Chin Li (Pakatan Harapan-Tangkak) who asked about the latest status of the establishment of durian product collection centres during the state assembly meeting held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here on Wednesday (May 15).

Zahari said there were 39 durian collection centres in the state and seven durian processing centres led by entrepreneurs or private companies.

"Last year, Johor Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) recorded the export of durian that passed through the state border was 47.38 million metric tons.

"Under Fama, there is a durian collection and processing centre in Tangkak, but on a small scale.

"This year, the state government intends to upgrade facilities and the Fama durian collection and processing centre technology. It will be a collection and processing centre for durians produced around Tangkak, Muar and Segamat,” he added.

Zahari said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has agreed on a proposal to empower the collection centre and durian processing under Fama in Tangkak with an allocation of RM2mil.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/15/johor-is-country039s-main-durian-producer-says-exco-member