To address the current durian glut in Johor, two tonnes of fresh durians are processed daily into pulp and ‘tempoyak’ (fermented version) for the local market.
Datuk Zahari Sarip, chairman of the State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, and Rural Development Committee, stated that the pulp was being processed at the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority’s (FAMA) durian processing centre in Tangkak, Johor.
“The GMP (good manufacturing practice) – certified processing centre has added value to the product, besides solving the durian glut problem in the northern part of the state, especially in Tangkak, Muar and Segamat.
“Among the facilities available are machines separating the durian pulp from the (thorny) skin, vacuum pack machines, blast freezers and cold room which can store 22 tonnes of the frozen pulp at any one time.
“The Agriculture Department also cooperates with the lead company in the processing activities for the durian-based downstream product and this also helps the small and medium enterprises to market their product,” he said at the State Legislative Assembly sitting in June.
Jementah assemblyman Ng Kor Sim had previously inquired about plans to expand the fruit processing industry, particularly involving durian, as the fruit tree was being planted in more areas.
According to Zahari, Johor produced 121,898 tonnes of durian last year, with 31,255 growers and 19,171 hectares involved, with Tangkak district being the top producer.
He stated that the state government hoped to increase output by 13.47% to 141,862 tonnes by 2027.
“Overall, since 2018 until now, the government has allocated RM6.34 million for the growing of durian in Johor. This year, RM2.173 million involving 233 growers with 504.9 hectares all over Johor,” he said, adding that the focus would be on growing D197 (Musang King) and D168 (IOI) varieties instead of the durian kampung.
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