GOVT OPTIMISTIC OF REDUCING 30 PCT ONION IMPORT BY 2030

ARAU, May 16 (Bernama) -- The government is optimistic that it can reduce the dependence on imported onions by 30 per cent by 2030 through efforts to create a hub for the production of local BW1 onion crops in the country for domestic consumption.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said his ministry has identified areas to establish onion farms in six states including Perlis, thus requiring the cooperation of the state government for land and site preparation.

"...the first one we have started in Perak and we are trying to expand it to other states, for example in Perak we have started and successfully harvested the produce of the onion farm in Tanjung Malim.

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"Our target by 2030 is to reduce our dependence (onion imports) by 30 per cent, if we are successful in our policy to develop and establish onion farms," he told reporters after visiting the Padang Siding Area Farmers' Association here today.

Meanwhile, he said his ministry welcomes if Harumanis farm operators were to increase their production of the famous mango including in other states such as Kedah to meet the domestic and export markets.

"We still need to produce a lot of Harumanis to meet the demand, especially for the export market, the existing Harumanis production is still not enough," he said.

In the meantime, he said KPKM has allocated a total of RM13.7 million which includes two new development projects and eight extension projects in Perlis this year in an effort to strengthen the country's food security so that it is more resilient and sustainable.

-- BERNAMA