KUCHING: Pineapples and other local fruits will be showcased at the annual Sarikei Pineapple and Fruit Festival starting from Nov 22 until Dec 1.
Held in the central Sarawak town of Sarikei, the festival is organised by the Sarikei Resident’s Office to promote the area as Sarawak’s food basket and an agro-tourism destination.
“Sarikei is known for its pineapple. We are already producing pineapple in Tanjung Manis and Sarikei and we want to increase production in future, ” Assistant Minister for Urban Development and Resources Datuk Len Talif Salleh said when announcing the festival at Wisma Sumber Alam here.
Besides pineapple, he said other fruits would be showcased at the festival, including bananas, coconuts, pomelos, oranges and crystal fruits, which is similar to longan but bigger.
“There are a lot of fruits in Sarikei. Crystal fruit is one of the fruits that will go big because it grows well in this area and it is becoming more popular.
“Figs are also available, which we have tried growing using fertigation (the application of fertilisers in irrigation water), ” he said.
The festival, which has been held since 2003, will also feature a variety of activities such as cultural performances, sports events, fruit and cooking competitions and a Sarikei Kitchen serving local dishes.
There will also be an exhibition and sales of fruits and other agriculture produce.
“There will be a lot of things to see, do and buy. Last year the festival attracted 90,000 visitors and recorded sales of RM1.4mil.
“This year, we are targetting 100,000 visitors and sales of RM1.5mil, ” Len Talif said.
He also said the state government planned to set up two agroparks and a collection, processing and packaging centre (CPPC) in Sarikei.
“We want to develop modern agriculture in Sarikei and organise the industry so that the fruits produced by smallholders can be collected and packed for export, ” he said.
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