JITRA: Interest in farming matoa fruit is growing thanks to the promise of lucrative returns, says a smallholder from Kedah.
Retired Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) professor, Prof Aziz Romli, 66, he started off planting matoa on a small scale.
"I started off with six matoa trees 10 years ago and all of them are fruiting now. At first I didn't know the uniqueness of this tree and just planted them for fun.
"The trees started to flower when they were three years old and if I knew they would be such a hit, I would have planted hundreds more on my property," he told reporters at his house in Kampung Kubang Menerong, Padang Sera near here on Sunday (June 23).
He said that his matoa trees, scientifically known as pometia pinnata, have already flowered twice this year, first in February with a harvest in April, and the second time in May which he plans to harvest in July.
"The demand for the fruit is very high and so are prices, around RM30 to RM38 a kilogramme. Its prices are the same as durian and I reap a windfall every time matoa season comes around," he said, adding that the fruits from his trees had already been booked even though they are not ripe yet.
He said that the fruit, which is also called "buah krystal" has a unique taste that combines lychee, rambutan and durian.
Aziz urged villagers to cultivate matoa as the trees will bear fruit after three years.
"At seven years, the trees will yield even more fruit. They are easy to tend and are resilient to disease.
"I recommend that people plant them on their own or commercially to take advantage of the high demand," he said. – Bernama
