YONG PENG: Johor contributes more than one-third of Malaysia's durian cultivation area and production, making it one of the country's most important agricultural states, says Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
Quoting figures from the Agriculture Department, Chan said Johor accounts for more than 33% of the nation's durian cultivation and production.
He said many people mistakenly believed Pahang was Malaysia's largest durian-producing state.
"According to official data from the Agriculture Department, Johor contributes more than 33% of the country's durian cultivation and production," he said during a campaign event for Pakatan Harapan's Yong Peng candidate Yong Hui Yi on Saturday (June 27).
Chan said Johor also plays a key role in the country's fruit, vegetable and livestock industries, making it one of Malaysia's leading agricultural states.
He said many agricultural projects in Johor are jointly funded by the Federal and state governments, although the Federal Government's contribution often goes unrecognised.
He cited the dairy farming project in Mersing, which received RM8mil in federal funding, as well as the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's Agro Madani sales programme, where essential food items are sold at subsidised prices.
Chan, who is also Sabah DAP deputy chairman, said voters should recognise that Yong was contesting as a Pakatan Harapan candidate representing a coalition that is part of the Federal Government, and should not overlook Putrajaya's role in supporting Johor's development.
