Coconut and Pineapple Corp to be established: Ahmad Zahid

BAGAN DATUK: The Coconut and Pineapple Corporation of Malaysia will be set up to promote coconuts as a major commodity in the country, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the merger served as a measure to streamline the efforts and administration of farmers in Bagan Datuk as well as the west coast of the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak, all of which were now the major producers of the commodity.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, said the establishment of the corporation was in line with the recent suggestion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak at the Economic Council and Cabinet Meeting to make coconuts as the major commodity of the country.
"Why do we recommend such a (corporation)? Because we are importing about 7.5 million coconuts per year, and that it cannot cater the demand of consumers in this country.
"As such, I want LPP (the Farmers' Organisation Authority) to come out with a long-term plan as there are 100,000 participants (LPP). Therefore, more local coconuts such as 'kelapa pandan' (cocos nucifera), 'kelapa matag' (cocos nucifera matag) and 'kelapa gading' can be produced with the formation of the corporation," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said this in his speech when opening the Perak-level "Karnival Jalinan Peladang" in Hutan Melintang here today.
Also present were Deputy Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and LPP chairman Tan Sri Zainal Dahalan.
The deputy prime minister hoped that the commodity would receive due attention from all parties involved once the corporation is created.
This was vital to prevent failures among the farmers of matag coconuts in the country, he said.
As such, Ahmad Zahid said the government had channelled an initial allocation of RM50 million to the Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK) nationwide to find ways for the replanting of coconuts. — Bernama