KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to allocate funds for durian farmers to switch from normal-value to high-value durian varieties requires thorough scrutiny, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. 

He said that durians, unlike essential commodities like rice, meat, fish, eggs, and cooking oil, did not significantly impact people's lives.

"Durian cultivation is a business opportunity, distinct from essential goods which receive substantial government subsidies to stabilise prices," said Mohamad in response to Bukit Gantang's Datuk Syed Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal's proposal to allocate RM20 million for this shift. 

"However, we will carefully consider Bukit Gantang's (Datuk Syed Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal) proposal as it has the potential to spark a new economic boom for the country," he said, in response to a supplementary question from Syed Hussin.  

Meanwhile, in response to an additional question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru), Mohamad said that the durian tourism programme was already in operation in the country.  

"When tourists, especially from China, visit Penang, they often go to Balik Pulau to enjoy durian.  

"Yesterday, I visited a large durian vendor in Bukit Bintang, where the majority of customers were Chinese tourists. Price is generally not a concern for them," he said.  

Regarding Sim's suggestion for the establishment of a Durian Board, similar to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), he said it would be discussed at the ministry, as well as with the Economy and Finance Ministries.  

"Given the recent prediction by The New York Times that durian could drive new economic growth for Malaysia, following our agreement with China's General Administration of Customs, we will take the recommendation seriously," he said. 

On June 19, the ministry in a statement said Malaysia could now export fresh durians to China following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries. 

Malaysia was given market access to China for durian paste or pulp in 2011, while market access for frozen durians was granted in 2018. 

The ministry said the MoU would further encourage the growth of the domestic durian industry and create opportunities for more than 63,000 durian entrepreneurs nationwide. 

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1077697/high-value-durian-shift-needs-careful-consideration-says-mat-sabu