Mardi Launches Four New Hybrid Coconut Varieties

BAGAN DATUK, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) launched four new high-yielding hybrid coconut varieties today to increase the productivity and income of farmers and entrepreneurs in the country.

MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said the four new hybrid coconut varieties, namely Mylag, Marleca, Carena, and Careni, are capable of producing more than 25,000 nuts per hectare annually.

“These hybrid coconut varieties are highly recommended for coconut farmers or plantation owners due to their excellent qualities. They are of low-maintenance, easy to harvest, and resistant to diseases," he said in his speech at the Perak Mardi Meets the Clients’ Day and launch of the hybrid coconut varieties here today.

The programme was opened by the State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture, and Food Industries Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Zabawi said that MARDI had developed eight high-yielding coconut hybrid varieties since 2005.

He said MARDI is prepared to collaborate with interested agencies to enhance the nation's coconut industry and had worked with the Perak State Agricultural Corporation in the planting of coconut, onion, and durian.

“MARDI has also collaborated with the Malaysian Kuwait Investment Co Sdn Bhd in developing the MARDI hybrid coconut seed garden, involving a 30-hectare area in Tawau, Sabah.

Meanwhile, Zolkafly said Perak has 7,505 hectares of coconut plantation with an annual production of 82,000 metric tons.

He said  6,670 hectares of the coconut plantation, with an annual yield of 70,000 metric tons, are in Bagan Datuk.

-- BERNAMA