US$20.6 Mln Worth Of High-Quality Ginger From Bukit Tinggi Exported

BENTONG (Pahang, Malaysia), July 10 (Bernama) -- Ginger grown on 384 hectares of land in Bukit Tinggi, Bentong and worth RM65.4 million (US$20.6 million) of it has so far been exported to foreign markets. Pahang Health and Environment Committee chairman Hoh Khai Mun said the plant was grown by 120 residents for its rhizome that had penetrated the Dubai, China, Korea and Hong Kong markets. He said there was high demand for ginger from Bukit Tinggi, Bentong because of its acknowledged high quality, spiciness, aroma and good taste compared to the ginger from other countries. "About four to five tonnes or more of ginger are produced daily by farmers in the area to be marketed locally and for export," Hoh said when met by reporters, here, on Sunday. He said to encourage the farmers to increase production, the government had given 120 temporary occupation licences to 123 farmers last year. Hoh, who is also Bilut assemblyman, also advised the farmers to adhere to standards in grading, packaging and labelling of the ginger to ensure good market demand. He said although the quality of ginger from Bukit Tinggi, Betong was known worldwide, the farmers should not be complacent but undertake more research to further improve the quality as they also faced competition from other ginger-producing countries. -- BERNAMA