Sik Emerges As Largest Grape Producer In Southeast Asia

By K. GANESON SIK (Kedah, Malaysia), Sept 27 (Bernama) -- It is hard to believe that a grape farm could exist in Malaysia as the fruit is extremely sensitive to the climate. But Excel Agrotech Sendirian Berhad, a bumiputra company, defied all that to become the largest grape producer in Southeast Asia and the fruits have been marketable internationally. According to grape farm manager Abdul Malik Md Noor, the grape-growing project began in 2007, with 1,000 seedlings planted on a 1.6 hectare site in Tasik Beris here. He said the project engaged the assistance of a Thai expert and the company successfully produced quality fruits, a year later. The farm has now expanded to 12 hectares and there are 13,000 grape plants of the Black Opal, Black Grape, Loose Pelite and White Malaga species. KHe said a grape plant needed intensive care as it was sensitive to the environment and soil moisture, with a PH of between 5.5 and 5.6. "Each bunch of grapes is examined regularly to ensure the fruit meets the desired quality or it would be discarded as only high quality fruits would be allowed to ripen," he said. Abdul Malik said the company was planning to maximise output by increasing the number of grape plants to 17,000 soon. -- BERNAMA