KOTA SAMARAHAN: Rambutan planters from Rumah Nimong, Pantu in Sri Aman can now be proud as around 
500kg of ‘Rambutan Anak Sekolah 168’ that they produced have been exported to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to state Federal Agriculture and Marketing Authority (Fama) operations manager Abdul Jaafar Lian, the rambutans are being exported to the UAE for the first time.

“After negotiations through our agents, the rambutans will be available at Lulu Supermarket in Dubai, and will fetch prices above RM25 (per kilogramme) after being repacked,” said Jaafar, when met at Fama Samarahan office after watching the packing process yesterday.

He said the rambutans, which were freshly plucked yesterday, had been processed and would be sent to Kuala Lumpur before heading straight to Dubai.

“Fama is working closely with the planters through the ‘Ladang Kontrak’ programme under the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry whereby the fruits are bought at a higher price.

“In fact, Fama is also active in exporting local produce such as ‘Pisang Kepok’ and lime planted by our farmers, abroad” added Jaafar.

He revealed that the rambutans were brought to the processing centre via a refrigerated truck to maintain their freshness.

“Our personnel will then carefully select each fruit, before we dip it in iced water for 10 minutes.

“The process then ends with the cooling before they are packed immediately in boxes,” said Jaafar.