The workshop on Revitalizing the Malaysian Tropical Fruit Industry: Enhancing Linkages among Small-Scale Producers and Others Stakeholders in the Value Chain was held at the Institute Pengurusan Peladang in Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia on 8-10 August 2016. The workshop was organized by TFNet and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Malaysia.
Around 60 participants from government agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture, research institutes, universities, and private sector entrepreneurs attended the three-day workshop. Delegates were mostly from MARDI, DOA, FAMA, FOA, MPIB, MADA, UPM, UNIMAP and private sector: Kulim Berhad, NAZA Plantations, MBG FruitShop, Jeruk Madu Perlis and GWG Sdn Bhd. There were 14 presentations on national strategies, policies, regulatory frameworks, research activities, extension, socio-economic well-being and entrepreneurship.
As the Chairperson of TFNet, YBhg. Datuk Seri Dr. Ismail Hj Bakar, The Secretary General, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Malaysia officiated the event with a keynote address requesting all stakeholders to explore future opportunities through collaborations with TFNet.
Datuk Hj. Jabar Shaik Mohideen, the Deputy Director General for Development of the Department of Agriculture Malaysia also delivered an overview on the Current Situation of the Malaysian Fruit Industry with reference to the National Ago-Food Policy 2011-2020 on behalf of Dato’ Ahmad Zakaria bin Mohamad Sidek, the Director General of the Department of Agriculture Malaysia.
Objectives of the workshop included promotion of research and development to improve supply chain process for domestic and export market of fruits; relevant agencies to discuss the issues on Good Agricultural Practices in safe and quality fruit production; recommend ideal fruit processing methods with proper packaging, labelling and using national and international standards; improving marketing channels and promoting awareness among rural communities and the extension group.
Plenary papers by representatives of the various agencies provided a wholesome overview of the Malaysian Fruit Industry from each agency’s perspective. Later, group discussions led feasible solutions to the issues and challenges facing the industry. The five groups provided essential ideas to revitalise the Malaysian Fruit Industry which will be consolidated into a roadmap. This will be presented to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry the strategies and developmental plans for future planning purpose.
The presentations were:
- Keynote Current Situation of Fruit Industry, Datuk Haji Jabar Shaik Mohideen (Deputy Director General), Department of Agriculture, Putrajaya
- Constraints and Challenges in the Malaysian Fruit Industry – Taking Responsibility for What Happens in Our Own Supply Chain, Prof. Madya Dr. Amin Mahir Abdullah,PhD (Assoc.Prof.), Department of Agribusiness and Bioresource Economics Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
- Prospective R&D along the entire supply chain for Malaysian Fruits, Dr. Pauziah Muda (Director Horticulture Research Centre), Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
- Research Activities on Prospective Fruits in Sarawak, Mr. Lau Cheng Yuon (Deputy Director), Department of Agriculture Sarawak (DOA Sarawak).
- Future-Proof Farming: Revitalizing the Mango Industry Growing it in the Greenhouse, Dr. Md Nor Jaafar (Director), Institute of Sustainable Agrotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP)
- Increased Production of Selected Fruits under Department of Agriculture, Mr. Abdul Daut (Director), Horticulture Division, Department of Agriculture (DOA)
- Transforming Multiple Varieties of Pineapple to MD2 for High Value Market, Dr. Jamaliah Laham (Director), Department of Extension and Planting Development, Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board, Johor
- Melon Production – A Safe and Quality Production and Marketing Approach
, Mr. Muhammad Syukri Bin Abdul Halim, Agronomist, Green World Genetics Sdn Bhd - Fruit Processing in Malaysia: Prospect & Challenges, Mohd Salekhan Othman (Principle Assistant Secretary), Agro-Based Industry Division Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-Based Industry
- Distributing Fresh Fruit by a Private Entrepreneur: A Successful Experience, Mr. Adnan Lee (CEO), MBG Fruit Shop
- Challenge in Overcoming SPS Requirements for Market Access of Selected Malaysian Fruits, Mr. Arizal Arshad (Principal Assistant Director), Plant Biosecurity Division, Department of Agriculture
- Marketing of Malaysian Fruits – Cross Cutting Issues and Challenges , Dato Sharifah Hashim (Deputy Director General (Operations)), Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA)
- Revitalizes the Industry and Empowers the Players, Mr. Ismail bin Muhammed (Deputy Director), Agriculture Extension & Agro-Based Industry Division Department of Agriculture
- Integration of Farmers Organisation in Value Chain Activities, Mr. Mohd Saupee (Head), Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang