Malaysia to Boost Coconut Production by 50 Percent Next Year

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) aims to increase coconut production for the domestic market by 50 percent next year from 2020 level.  Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Zahimi Hasaan said the target was in line with the increase in coconut-based products.  

He said this to some 300 delegates of the 50th International Cocotech Conference and Exhibition who went on a field trip to the Jorak Agriculture Centre on November 11 which MAFI hosted.  At the Center, the delegates were shown the methods of coconut breeding, seeding, planting and a mini exhibition of various coconut food and non-food products. The Center features a Smart irrigation system with Internet of Things (IoT).

Zahimi said in 2020, coconut plantation in Peninsular Malaysia was 55,573 hectares with production of 451,691 metric tons.  Moreover, he noted that the current coconut market is only focused on the domestic market with 70 percent involving the production of coconut-based products, although there are plans in the future to market them in the international markets.