Mardi introduces four types of high-yield hybrid coconuts

BAGAN DATUK: Four new high-yield hybrid coconut varieties has been launched by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) to increase the productivity and income of local farmers and entrepreneurs.

Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said the new varieties called Mylag, Marleca, Carena and Careni are capable of producing more than 25,000 nuts per hectare annually.

“These hybrid coconut varieties are highly recommended for coconut farmers or plantation owners due to their excellent qualities. They are low-maintenance, easy to harvest and resistant to diseases,” he said in his speech at the Perak Mardi Meets the Clients’ Day and launch of the hybrid coconut varieties here yesterday, Bernama reported.

The programme was opened by state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture, and Food Industries Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Zabawi said Mardi had developed eight high-yield coconut hybrid varieties since 2005.

He said Mardi is prepared to collaborate with interested agencies to enhance the nation’s coconut industry and had worked with the Perak State Agricultural Corporation in the planting of coconuts, onions and durians.

“Mardi has also collaborated with the Malaysian Kuwait Investment Co Sdn Bhd in developing the Mardi hybrid coconut seed garden, involving a 30ha area in Tawau, Sabah,” he said.

Zolkafly said Perak has 7,505ha of coconut plantations with an annual production of 82,000 metric tonnes, while 6,670ha of those coconut plantations – with an annual yield of 70,000 metric tonnes – are in Bagan Datuk.