A total of 282 participants – including growers, extension workers, researchers, government officers, input suppliers, NGOs, and the private sector – attended the seminar on Current Development and Challenges in Improving Production, Productivity, and Market Demand for the MD2 Pineapple Variety on 11 July 2019 at the Tan Sri Yusof Hashim Hall, MARDI, Serdang, Malaysia.
As an international organization with a role to assist member countries resolve issues on tropical fruit development, a seminar was organized in Malaysia by the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) with collaboration from the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB), the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), the Malaysian Department of Agriculture (DOA), and the Malaysian Pineapple Planters Association (MPPA).
The MD2 pineapple variety has grown in popularity and demand among growers and consumers alike because of its superior fruit characteristics and global export appeal. While there is a drive to increase its production for the domestic and export market, there are also constraints that affect further development of the variety such as availability of certified and true planting materials, low fruit quality standards, agro-climatic suitability, low productivity, and poor farm practices.
The seminar provided a venue for stakeholders to discuss these challenges and exchange information on best practices to improve production, profitability, and market access for MD2 pineapples. Experts also deliberated on the feasibility of alternative propagation methods of planting materials, based on scientific findings and farmer experiences.
Seven presentations were delivered in two sessions: Session One had presentations from government agencies and institutions while Session Two had presentations from exemplary farmers. Topics covered include the current situation of the pineapple industry in Malaysia, pests and diseases, tissue culture, and best practices.
The seminar was closed by Dato’ Haji Salahuddin Ayub, Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry (MOA). In his speech, Minister Salahuddin expressed his faith in the marketability and export potential of Malaysian pineapples. He hopes that pineapples will meet the same success that Malaysian durians have in China and believes that the MD2 variety is ideal for the Chinese market for its sweet taste.
He also called for MARDI, MPIB, DOA, and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) to work together towards the improvement of fruit quality and marketability. Lastly, he thanked TFNet and the organizers for conducting the seminar.
In his speech, Dato Sallehhuddin Hassan, MOA Secretary-General and Chairperson of TFNet provided a brief overview of TFNet’s mandate for the sustainable development of the global tropical fruits industry, highlighting successful local initiatives including seminars on dragon fruit and Fusarium wilt disease of banana. TFNet was also appointed consultant to the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) to develop a business strategy and implementation plan for the integrated pineapple project in Rompin, Pahang.
With pineapples being selected as a priority crop for Malaysia, he said that it is indeed an opportune time for all farmers and agropreneurs to embrace the call to boost the production of this “new source of wealth” to capture the increasing demands of expanding markets like China.
He expressed hope that with MOA’s initiatives to support the pineapple industry, much can be achieved to boost the MD2 pineapple industry in Malaysia.
The closing ceremony culminated with the presentation of the seminar’s summary and recommendations to MOA Minister Salahuddin Ayub.
Additional photos of the seminar can be found here.