Fig farm - New tourist attraction at Janda Baik

BENTONG, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- If Cameron Highlands, a highland resort in Pahang, is known for its strawberry farms and tea plantation, Janda Baik, which is becoming another highland resort in the state, is set to be a hub for fig farming with an area covering about one hectare being developed for the purpose.

Pahang Tourism director Datuk Idrus Yahya said the fig farm would be a new attraction, besides the Halia Bentong farm, for tourists in Janda Baik, which is an agro-tourism area and known for its natural beauty.

“Based on the concept of leisure farming, we are introducing another new product for Janda Baik to provide an alternative activity for visitors.

"They can visit the fig farm, where they can pluck the fruits and eat them on the farm, just like pulcing strawberries in the Cameron Highlands,” he told reporters after  the launch of the fig harvesting season at Benefigs, Janda Baik here.

The event was officiated by Ketari Assemblywoman Young Syefura Othman and the farm owner, Mohamad Hafidz Arifin, 32, a former employee of a oil and gas company.

The fig farm has 400 fig plants, which are producing fruits and some, ready for harvesting. The fruits fetch up to RM80 per kilogramme.

 It is learnt that there are currently three fig farm operators in Janda Baik .

Idrus said the fig farms in Janda Baik would be expanded in stages towards making the area a fig producing hub.

Meanwhile, Young Syefura said the government welcomed the participation of more young people in eco-tourism to help increase the economy of local residents, as well as provide new attractions for tourists and visitors.

“Normally fig is grown in countries in the Middle East, but now we can get it fresh from Janda Baik,” he said.

-- BERNAMA