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Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Penang to start using durian tracking system to curb fraud, report says
The system involves tagging the durians with a QR code that, once scanned, allows each fruit to be traced back to its farm. PHOTO: THE BUSINESS TIMES Penang to start using durian tracking system to curb fraud, report says KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia's state of Penang has urged its durian growers to register for a tracking system to curb the spread of counterfeit versions of the prickly, pungent fruit from June 1, according to national news agency Bernama. The state plans to make the 'Track and Trace' system mandatory for its 200 durian farmers as it seeks to restore consumer confidence in the fruit, State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee's Fahmi Zainol was cited as saying. About 60 growers have committed to using the system, which involves tagging the durians with a QR code that, once scanned, allows each fruit to be traced back to its farm, he said. The plan came about after local growers complained about the misuse and misrepresentation of Penang durians, he added. The fruit, with its creamy-like flesh and powerful aroma, is popular in Malaysia and much of South-east Asia. Malaysia exports durians to countries including China, and expects outbound shipments to rise to RM1.8 billion (S$547.5 million) by 2030, according to a 2024 Bernama article. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Over 200 Penang durian growers urged to join tracking system
GEORGE TOWN: More than 200 durian growers in Penang are being encouraged to register for the 'Track and Trace' system, a smart tagging platform aimed at curbing the spread of counterfeit durians and restoring consumer confidence in the authenticity of the state's renowned fruit. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said to date, between 50 and 60 growers have committed to using the system, with 20 large-scale farmers already registered. 'Each durian will be tagged with a QR code that allows traceability from the farm to the consumer. Buyers simply need to scan the code to verify the durian's origin. 'The tags are ready and implementation will begin on June 1. We will assist growers in obtaining the tags as soon as possible. Registration can be done through the State Agriculture Department, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), or my office,' he told a press conference at Komtar here today. Last week, Fahmi announced the state government's plan to implement the system in collaboration with MIMOS Sdn Bhd, following complaints from local growers about the misuse and misrepresentation of Penang durians by irresponsible parties. Fahmi said the state is also proposing to make the tagging system a mandatory requirement for all durian growers before they are allowed to sell their produce. 'Those who adopt the system will be prioritised for government assistance, promotional support, and participation in official programmes,' he said. He added that use of the system will also be compulsory for all participants at the Penang Durian and Fruit Festival 2025, scheduled to run from June 23 to July 20, to ensure the quality and authenticity of durians featured at the event. Apart from protecting consumers by ensuring quality and value for money, the technology is expected to help growers build a stronger reputation and expand market access, including opportunities for export to China.
Barnama
29-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Over 200 Penang Durian Growers Urged To Join ‘Track And Trace' System
GEORGE TOWN, May 29 (Bernama) -- More than 200 durian growers in Penang are being encouraged to register for the 'Track and Trace' system, a smart tagging platform aimed at curbing the spread of counterfeit durians and restoring consumer confidence in the authenticity of the state's renowned fruit. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said to date, between 50 and 60 growers have committed to using the system, with 20 large-scale farmers already registered. 'Each durian will be tagged with a QR code that allows traceability from the farm to the consumer. Buyers simply need to scan the code to verify the durian's origin. 'The tags are ready and implementation will begin on June 1. We will assist growers in obtaining the tags as soon as possible. Registration can be done through the State Agriculture Department, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), or my office,' he told a press conference at Komtar here today. Last week, Fahmi announced the state government's plan to implement the system in collaboration with MIMOS Sdn Bhd, following complaints from local growers about the misuse and misrepresentation of Penang durians by irresponsible parties. Fahmi said the state is also proposing to make the tagging system a mandatory requirement for all durian growers before they are allowed to sell their produce. 'Those who adopt the system will be prioritised for government assistance, promotional support, and participation in official programmes,' he said. He added that use of the system will also be compulsory for all participants at the Penang Durian and Fruit Festival 2025, scheduled to run from June 23 to July 20, to ensure the quality and authenticity of durians featured at the event. Apart from protecting consumers by ensuring quality and value for money, the technology is expected to help growers build a stronger reputation and expand market access, including opportunities for export to China.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang durian farmers in told to register for 'Track and Trace'
GEORGE TOWN: Penang durian farmers have been told to immediately register under the Department of Agriculture's tracking system to combat the influx of durians mislabelled to be from the state. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the department's "Track and Trace" smart monitoring system was developed in collaboration with MIMOS Bhd, which had experience in tracking systems and had applied it in the vaccination programme with the Health Ministry. "Through this system, each durian will be tagged with a QR code. "Consumers just need to scan to verify the origin of the durian," he told newsmen at his office in Komtar here today. It was reported that Penang would roll out the Track and Trace to ensure the authenticity and quality of Penang durians. Fahmi said, so far, between 50 and 60 farmers had committed to using the system, while 20 large-scale farmers had already registered. "Tags are ready and implementation will begin immediately from June 1. "We will assist farmers in obtaining these tags as quickly as possible. "Registration can be done through the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), or the exco office," he added. Fahmi said the state government also proposed that the use of this tagging system be made a requirement for all farmers before they were allowed to sell durians. "If this system is not used, facilities such as aid, promotion and participation in government programmes will prioritise farmers who comply with the implementation of this system," he said. Fahmi said those wishing to join the annual durian festival on June 23 would need to use the tagging system to ensure the quality and authenticity of the durians. "The use of this technology not only protects the interests of consumers, ensuring they buy durians at a reasonable price with good taste, but also helps farmers build their reputation and expand their market, including exports to China," he said. He said farmers who wished to join this programme must provide legitimate land ownership information and relevant documents. "Furthermore, the tagging application must be made by the farmers themselves, not through intermediaries," he said. Nation May 22, 2025 @ 12:09am Penang to roll out 'Track & Trace' tech to protect its durians Nation Apr 11, 2025 @ 10:25pm Protest fallout: 3 reports lodged against Raub durian farmers Nation Apr 19, 2025 @ 7:32am Pahang DAP ready to facilitate talks between state govt, durian farmers Business May 21, 2025 @ 1:47am Penang's tuna-landing industry experiences significant growth
Barnama
22-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang To Launch Track And Trace System To Safeguard Local Durian Industry
GEORGE TOWN, May 22 (Bernama) -- The Penang government will roll out a smart Track and Trace system starting June 1 to allow comprehensive monitoring of locally grown durians, particularly from Balik Pulau, timed with the arrival of the upcoming fruit season. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the initiative, developed in collaboration with MIMOS Sdn Bhd, aims to address complaints from growers regarding fraudulent sales and and the misrepresentation of Penang durians. 'There have been many cases where durians from other states are falsely claimed to be from Balik Pulau, Penang, which sidelines our local growers. Some vendors even sell Thai durians by the roadside and market them as Penang durians when they're not,' he said when contacted today.
