KUALA SELANGOR: Malaysia can save around RM300mil if the local onion cultivation project succeeds, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said the rose onion cultivation project by the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) has been performing well, with yields reaching approximately four tonnes per acre.
Mohamad added that the distribution of rose onion seeds to interested parties would begin either at the end of this year or early next year to help meet the savings target.
"In 2021, Malaysia imported 484,867 metric tonnes of onions worth RM902.5mil to meet consumer demand. India was the largest supplier, contributing 57%, followed by China (20%) and Pakistan (11%).
"If we manage to produce 30% of the onion supply locally, we could save RM300mil in import costs,” he told reporters after a visit to the PKPS Ehsan Rose Onion Project at Selangor Fruit Valley here on Saturday (Jan 11).
He said that in addition to PKPS, Penang and Kelantan have shown promising results in onion cultivation.
"We are also exploring other states suitable for onion farming, and our research agencies are looking into the feasibility of large onion cultivation as well,” he said. - Bernama
