FRUIT production in Johor, especially bananas and papayas, is expected to remain unaffected even though parts of the state have been blanketed by haze over the past few weeks.
Johor Fruit Farmers Association secretary Melvin Long said the situation could change if the air quality in Johor, currently at moderate levels, turned hazardous.
“So far, none of our members have reported crop damage due to the haze,” he told StarMetro.
Long said fruit farmers in Johor were closely monitoring the situation, and expressed hope that the haze conditions would improve significantly by next month, as reported by news outlets.
He said the majority of commercial banana farmers in Johor grew Cavendish banana plants.
Long said Cavendish banana farms in Johor were equipped with sprinklers, which is a must for the tissue-cultured variety.
“Demand for Johor Cavendish bananas is good and most of the fruits are sent to local supermarkets and Singapore,” he said.
Long said prior to the Middle East conflict, Malaysia also exported the fruits there.
“Despite receiving queries from Dubai importers, we are not going to export our bananas there any time soon because of instability in the region.”
Regarding the haze, he said the overall growth rate and yield of fruits would be severely compromised if it worsened in the state.
He also said if the haze were to prolong, it would have a negative impact on the production of papayas by affecting the photosynthesis process.
“Harsh environments, including haze and chemicals, damage plant cells, block gas exchange and destroy chlorophyll.”
Long said Batu Pahat, Kluang and Pontian were the major Cavendish banana producing districts in Johor, while papayas were commercially grown in the districts of Batu Pahat, Kluang, Muar and Segamat.
