SERIAN: A fruit collection centre has been suggested in the Tebedu to facilitate the marketing of local fruits statewide.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the fruit collection centre will serve as a hub for gathering durians as well as other fruits before being marketed within Sarawak or beyond.
He said his ministry would assist farmers in the area if they could establish a durian planting cluster.
He said this during a visit to a durian orchard here on Monday (Dec 16).
Dr Rundi urged farmers to be proactive in finding markets for their fruits and other crops to ensure a stable income.
“Generally, assistance from the Sarawak Department of Agriculture is temporary and not continuous. Therefore, once the orchard produces fruit, farmers must be skilled in finding markets.
“Without a systematic marketing system, farmers will face difficulties in selling their produce,” he added.
He also encouraged the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Department of Agriculture Sarawak (DOA) to advise farmers how to market durians effectively.
Also present were Deputy Minister Datuk Martin Ben, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, permanent secretary Datuk Sirai Daha and DOA director Dominic Chunggat.
