State still grappling with plant variety protection initiative

Department of Agriculture staff, Michelle Crystal Henry showing an abundant harvest of Terung Asam fruits on display at the 6th East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Meeting. The fruit, which is also known as terung comes from the Solananaceae family and is a popular type of eggplant in Sarawak. It is usually used in food preparation as a type of flavoring. The high yielding fruit is able to produce an estimated net income of RM1,000 to RM3,000 per hectare. ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR

KUCHING: Sarawak is still trying to find its place in the plant variety protection initiative despite having an abundance of flora.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said though the state had sufficient laws and ordinance to protect its flora and fauna, it was still relatively backward in the field.