RM70 Million Worth Of Strawberries A Year From Cameron Highlands
July 12, 2009

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, July 12 (Bernama) -- The 30 hectares of land in Cameron Highlands grown with strawberries is capable of producing RM70 million worth of the fruit each year.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said the achievement was due to the proactive measures taken by the ministry to ensure that the quality of strawberries produced here was on par with that of imported strawberries.

"If previously the strawberries grown here were smaller and rather sour, now they are bigger, sweet and more delicious.

"Because of their better quality, the fruit has begun to be exported to Singapore," he said after the launching of the "One District, One Industry" programme, here, Sunday.

Johari said the strawberry industry would grow more rapidly through downstream activities like producing strawberry jam, pickled and candied strawberries, strawberry ice-cream, dried strawberries, and strawberry-flavoured tea and cordial.

He said the strawberry industry should be encouraged and given serious attention as it could help raise the income of local residents.

-- Bernama