Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup (right) with an MDUR88 durian with Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani. - Photo: Bernama
KUALA KANGSAR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry aims to expand the cultivation of the MDUR88 hybrid durian to boost durian production for export to the international market.
Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, said the MDUR88 durian variety, developed by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), is highly in demand by durian lovers as it is comparable to the popular Musang King durian.
"We want to further expand the MDUR88 durian crop in this country because the production is still not enough to cover domestic demand," he told reporters during a working visit to Duriotourism@Mardi Kuala Kangsar, which was also attended by Perak Mardi director Zaiha Zeeti Mohamad Yusob on Sunday (July 28).
Arthur noted that Duriotourism@Mardi Kuala Kangsar attracted many foreign visitors, including those from China, Thailand, and Kazakhstan.
"They like the MDUR88 durian variety. So, we are confident this MDUR 88durian can penetrate the international market.
"The MDUR88 durian is the tastiest durian I have ever eaten in my life and the price is very reasonable," he said.
MDUR88 is a hybrid durian clone developed by Mardi and introduced in 1981. It is derived from D10 and D24 crosses. – Bernama
