Latest news with #NorSamAlwi
The Star
02-08-2025
- Health
- The Star
Giving mangosteen ‘queen treatment' to reverse declining yield
Growing effort: Mardi is studying seedling growth, with trials on Mesta mangosteen seedlings. PETALING JAYA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is considering pairing Musang King durian and mangosteen as Malaysia's official 'king' and 'queen' of fruits, following concerns over the decline in mangosteen production in recent years. Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said mangosteen output fell from 23,297 tonnes in 2020 to 22,073 tonnes in 2023 due to a range of factors. 'Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures disrupted flowering and fruit-setting, leading to inconsistent yields and lower fruit quality,' she said when contacted. However, she noted that preliminary data for 2024 indicates a significant recovery, with production rising to 30,231 tonnes. Nor Sam said movement restrictions and a shortage of foreign labour during the Covid-19 pandemic further hampered harvesting and orchard maintenance in 2020 and 2021. The crop also became increasingly vulnerable to translucent flesh disorder and gamboge disorder, which are physiological issues affecting fruit quality. 'Mangosteen has a long juvenile phase, taking more than six years to reach full production. 'This discourages investment, especially when compared to faster-yielding and more profitable crops like durian,' she added. In a written reply to The Star, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) said it is actively conducting research and development (R&D) to improve mangosteen yields and address production challenges. Among its key initiatives is the conservation of genetic resources. Mardi maintains a wide collection of tropical fruit varieties, including from the Garcinia genus, to which mangosteen belongs, in field genebanks across its research stations for future breeding programmes and cultivar improvements. To boost productivity, Mardi has tested the application of paclobutrazol, followed by potassium nitrate or Bicomine, at its Sintok station in Kedah. The treatment significantly improved flowering and fruiting compared to untreated trees. To address labour shortages, Mardi is also researching manpower required to harvest mangosteens at various maturity stages. This work supports the development of mechanical harvesting tools to reduce dependence on manual labour and enable commercial-scale operations. Mardi is also studying seedling growth, with trials on Mesta mangosteen seedlings using different growing media aim to improve early development and support stronger orchard establishment. Although not mangosteen-specific, Mardi's broader R&D in climate-resilient agriculture – applied to crops such as paddy, mango, pineapple and durian – is likely to benefit mangosteen cultivation as well. Orchard owner Edmond Chow said growing mangosteen requires just as much time and cost as durian but offers far lower returns. 'It takes seven to 10 years for a mangosteen tree to bear fruit, just like durian. But while Musang King sells for RM30 to RM50 per kg, mangosteen only fetches RM8 to RM9.' Kuala Lumpur Fruits Wholesalers' Association president Chin Nyuk Moy said Malaysia still imports mangosteens, mainly from Thailand and Indonesia, and occasionally from China. 'Local mangosteens are now hard to come by. Some orchards in Raub still grow the Japan variety, but the days when mangosteens appeared during durian season are mostly over,' she said. 'With low yields, short shelf life and limited demand, mangosteens remain pricey – with some imported ones costing RM15 to RM20 per kg,' she added.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Be label-savvy to stay healthy
PETALING JAYA: The multi-billion-ringgit global organic food and beverage market is expected to grow more by 2030, according to market research firm Grand View Research. For Malaysia, there is a growing appetite for organic food among health-conscious consumers. CLICK TO ENLARGE But how do people know whether the 'organic' foodstuff they buy are truly organic? An important source is the myOrganic sticker that is usually found on the packaging of organic foodstuff sold at shops. The myOrganic certification scheme is used to promote, implement and facilitate the adoption of organic agriculture, explains Agriculture Department (DOA) director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi. 'This certification scheme covers various organic activities, including fresh produce farming, beekeeping, the breeding of organic plant varieties and wild harvesting. ALSO READ: Verifying food markers not quite an organic process 'The Malaysian Organic Certification Scheme is now known as myOrganic,' she said in in a statement to The Star. To safeguard the authenticity of certified organic products, the regulation of organic items is primarily governed under the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985, overseen by the Health Ministry, she added. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has also registered the myOrganic certification logo with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) as a legitimate trademark. 'If the DOA receives complaints about the misuse of this logo, the matter will be referred to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for further investigation. 'In cases where fraud is confirmed, the offending company may be prosecuted under the Trademarks Act 2019,' she said. Upon conviction, offenders may face a fine of up to RM10,000 per item bearing the misused trademark, imprisonment of up to three years or both. ALSO READ: How bugs help you spot organic durians Nor Sam said the department has issued guidelines to certificate holders outlining the terms and conditions for the use of the myOrganic logo. 'However, we also rely on the cooperation of consumers to address the risks of fraud and logo misuse by lodging complaints where appropriate. 'Matters related to processing, repackaging or importation of organic products fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry,' she said. To create awareness, the department is actively carrying out promotional activities targeting consumers through physical events and social media platforms, as well as by engaging with local organic associations. 'These initiatives focus on promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), highlighting the importance of recognising the myOrganic logo, encouraging the purchase of certified farm produce. 'Additionally, consumers can verify the validity of organic certification by visiting the DOA website at under the list of certified recipients,' she said. Dr Juju Nakasha Jaafar, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said there has been confusion on the authenticity of organic products. 'For example, a seller might claim he is selling pesticide-free or chemical-free vegetables, which gives consumers the impression that the products are organic. 'In reality, these vegetables may be free from chemical pesticides but are still grown using chemical fertilisers and thus do not qualify as organic,' she said. 'For vegetables to be certified as organic, all input must be completely natural. 'This includes compost fertilisers, organic pesticides and non-genetically modified organism seeds.' These are outlined in the myOrganic certification guidelines. 'Consumers can look for the myOrganic logo on vegetable products to ensure they are truly organic. 'The DOA strictly regulates this certification,' she said, adding that more details can be found on the DOA website. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said traders must verify the certification documents provided by suppliers before selling or labelling any product as organic. 'They should only use the term 'organic' when backed by certification,' he said. Saravanan said consumers should look for official certification logos on packaging and not rely solely on general claims like 'natural'. 'If you suspect a product is being falsely marketed as organic, you should report it to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry or lodge a complaint with Fomca,' he added.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Seed law to be tabled in parliament next year
KLANG: The Crop Seed Quality Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year, said Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi. He said the process of drafting the bill was still at the engagement stage to gather feedback from industry players before being finalised to ensure that farmers' rights to quality seed supplies were protected. "This act is a good initiative to ensure that farmers only purchase quality seeds, as currently, they have no proper channel to lodge a complaint if they get seeds that are of poor quality or not as specified. "So far, we do not have a specific act that allows us to act against those selling poor-quality seeds," he told a press conference after the opening of the Department of Agriculture's Plant Subsector Development Symposium 2025 here today. Also present was Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. Earlier, in his speech at the event, Mohamad said the government was streamlining laws related to seeds to prevent farmers from being deceived or incurring losses from fake or poor-quality seeds. "Although some farmers have raised concerns over this seed law, rest assured that the changes are not meant to pressure them, but rather to protect and safeguard their interests, in line with the ministry's ongoing efforts," he said.–BERNAMA Nation Apr 11, 2025 @ 9:31pm Padi farmers urge price cut for subsidised seeds ahead of new season Nation Apr 17, 2025 @ 1:35am Govt addressing padi seed pricing concerns - Mohamad Sabu Nation Mar 1, 2025 @ 4:30am Farmers laud PM's call to improve subsidised padi seeds quality Nation May 6, 2025 @ 3:27am Perak certified padi seed centre to produce 5,000 metric tonnes annually
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Crop seed quality bill to protect farmers tabled next year
KLANG: The Crop Seed Quality Bill is set to be presented in Parliament next year, according to Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi. The bill aims to protect farmers by ensuring they receive high-quality seeds and have a proper channel to address complaints if substandard seeds are supplied. Currently, the drafting process is in the engagement phase, where feedback from industry stakeholders is being collected to refine the legislation. Nor Sam Alwi highlighted the absence of a specific law to penalise sellers of poor-quality seeds, making this bill a crucial step in safeguarding farmers' interests. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who attended the Plant Subsector Development Symposium 2025, reassured farmers that the proposed law is designed to protect them rather than impose undue pressure. He emphasised the government's commitment to preventing farmers from falling victim to fake or low-quality seeds. The bill is part of broader efforts to modernise agricultural regulations and enhance transparency in seed distribution. Once enacted, it will provide a legal framework to hold suppliers accountable, ensuring farmers receive seeds that meet quality standards. – Bernama
South China Morning Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Move over, Musang King? Durian scene spikes in Malaysia as it savours markets beyond China
In the world of durians, Malaysia 's Musang King may reign supreme, but a new wave of contenders is emerging. From the creamy Black Thorn and Red Prawn to the sweet Hajah Hasmah, the government is championing lesser-known premium varieties to capture growing international demand. Other established types like Sultan and Tekka are also seeing interest, offering the fruit at a more accessible price and broadening Malaysia's footprint in the global durian market. Agriculture Department director general Nor Sam Alwi said Musang King and Bukit Merah are the main varieties recommended for export due to their rich, creamy texture and strong flavour, but efforts are under way to highlight other premium types such as Black Thorn, Red Prawn and Hajah Hasmah. 'These varieties are being evaluated for future certification and export readiness, based on their potential in terms of taste, texture, shelf life and suitability for long-distance shipping,' she said. Nor Sam said that Chinese nationals, in particular, are willing to pay premium prices for these varieties.
