PM To Launch Food Production Park In Lanchang Next Month

December 31, 2008 18:02 PM

PM To Launch Food Production Park In Lanchang Next Month

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will launch Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan (TKPM), or permanent food production park, in Lanchang, Pahang on Jan 13, 2009.

In a statement here Wednesday, the ECER secretariat said the 3,600-hectare TKPM Lanchang was one of the three TKPMs within the East Coast Economic region (ECER) and one of 45 throughout Malaysia.

It said some 400ha were designated for individual smallholders, while the remainder would be for private sector and anchor companies to allow for modernisation and automation in agriculture practice.

"It is market-driven and will create a food chain from farm to table," ECER said.

The ECER said TKPM Lanchang was aimed at developing the country's fruit industry to reduce imports and improve the nation's balance of trade deficit for food.

"TKPM Lanchang is also expected to increase output, generate value and create more entrepreneurs and employment opportunities for the local populace.

"It will also address the growing demand arising from Malaysia's growing population and their increasing health consciousness," it said.

It said the fruits grown at TKPM Lanchang included papaya, guava, starfruit, banana, jackfruit, mangoes and melons and were produced according to international standards.

Meanwhile, the ECER said the Malaysian Agrifood Corp (MAFC) an anchor company for the development of papaya, would operate a collection, processing and packaging centre in Lanchang to buy fruits from smallholders to market.

"To date, MAFC's papayas, which adhere to international food safety standards such as Good Agriculture Practice (GAP), Hazard Analysis Critical Point and Global GAP, have reached key strategic markets including Singapore and the UK," it said.

-- BERNAMA