Lemongrass Producer In East Coast To Roll-out Franchise System

October 06, 2008 15:21 PM

Lemongrass Producer In East Coast To Roll-out Franchise System

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Bio Daun Plantation Sdn Bhd, one of the largest lemongrass producers in the East Coast, will roll-out a franchise system to create entrepreneurs and fast track expansion.

Lemongrass is a herb identified for agriculture development and an important source of income within the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) states of Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and the district of Mersing in Johor.

"Lemongrass is a high yield agriculture product which is ready for harvesting within a short period of six months," said Bio Daun director Mohd Nizam Mohamed in a statement Monday.

He said its essential oil and powder extract is lucrative because it has big commercial potential, both locally and for export.

"Worth RM1.618 billion, the market for lemongrass essential oil is escalating at 10-15 percent annually. The biggest demand comes from Europe, specifically Germany as well as the United States and Japan," he added.

Mohd Nizam also said 9,125 stumps of lemongrass plants can be grown on a hectare of land, creating an income of between RM35,000 and RM42,500 upon harvest after six months.

Lemongrass is widely used as a herb in Asian cuisine. It is also used industrially as an insect repellent, for aromatherapy, perfumes, comestics and anti-cancer products.

-- BERNAMA