The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) continues to strengthen its strategic engagement with national authorities in Malaysia following a courtesy visit by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali to the Office of the Director General, of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Malaysia, YBhg. Dato’ Nor Sam binti Alwi. The meeting served as an opportunity to reaffirm mutual commitment towards advancing sustainable development, innovation, and international positioning of Malaysia’s tropical fruit sector.
During the meeting, both parties expressed strong support for closer collaboration and acknowledged the complementary roles of TFNet and DOA in strengthening Malaysia’s tropical fruit value chains, particularly in areas related to varietal protection, market development, and international cooperation.
One of the key areas of potential collaboration discussed was TFNet’s neutral facilitative role in creating awareness and building national capacity on plant variety protection under the framework of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), following Malaysia’s anticipated accession in late 2026.
The meeting also explored the possibility of DOA co-organizing a proposed International Avocado Conference to be held in Sabah, aimed at promoting sustainable avocado production, varietal development, and market expansion. The proposed conference is envisaged to provide a platform for policymakers, researchers, industry players, and growers to exchange technical knowledge, showcase innovations, and explore regional and market opportunities.
In addition, TFNet was invited by DOA to participate in a technical visit by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australia, to Harumanis mango farms scheduled for May 2026. The visit is expected to support bilateral knowledge exchange on production practices, varietal performance, and quality management systems, further strengthening regional collaboration in high-value fruit development.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange views on other potential areas of collaboration in support of Malaysia’s tropical fruit sector. The discussions encompassed initiatives concerning varietal protection, the development of geographical indications (GI), market access, capacity building, and international cooperation. This included efforts to renew industry engagement with previously established jackfruit market access arrangements for China and to support the responsible transfer of plant material to countries such as the Maldives. TFNet’s role as a neutral intergovernmental and interinstitutional platform was recognised as a value-adding mechanism for facilitating dialogue, strengthening awareness, and supporting coordinated efforts among public and private sector stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further engage in collaboration that aligns with national priorities and TFNet’s mandate to promote sustainable and inclusive tropical fruit value chains.
