Malaysia can become major producer of herbal products – Noh

PETALING JAYA – Malaysia can become a major producer of herbal products as the country has natural resources and expertise, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said.

He said this could become a reality as the country has about 6,000 species of herbs and technical expertise from Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi).

“The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry will play a big role in developing the herbal industry,” he told reporters after launching “Bio-J” health product here Friday.

Noh said the National Herbal Council had been formed to ensure systematic development of the herbal industry aimed at commercialisation.

The council comprise experts from public and private institutions of higher learning, the private sector and representatives from other ministries.

Produced from kastella fruit, “Bio-J” can reduce the risk of heart attack. It is developed by Lincoln College executive director Datuk Dr Badaruddin Nordin.

Noh urged Lincoln College to apply for research grant from the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) Technofund to commercialise the product.


Source: Bernama