Latest news with #ForestResearchInstituteofMalaysia
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
FRIM boosts rural herbal industry with R&D and tech training
KUALA LUMPUR: The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) is driving rural entrepreneurship in the herbal industry by leveraging research and development (R&D) and modern technology. Through its Empowering Community-Based Herbal Products initiative, FRIM aims to equip local entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to develop high-quality herbal products. FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan highlighted the importance of R&D in building consumer trust. 'When we have herbal-based products developed through R&D, the public will be more confident in purchasing them,' he said. The initiative addresses challenges such as limited access to technology and markets, helping rural communities reduce reliance on imports while boosting local economies. A key component of the programme is the elite Kacip Fatimah clone, FaFaF01, developed by FRIM for its high bioactive content. Ismail explained, 'FRIM scientists have studied it for almost 10 years. This clone exhibits consistent and stable growth, making it suitable for various health and food products.' Participants receive hands-on training in cultivation, processing, and marketing, ensuring sustainable income opportunities. The initiative has already shown success, with cooperatives reporting a 30 per cent annual income increase. Dr Farah Fazwa Md Ariff, head of FRIM's Plant Breeding Programme, noted, 'The community has become more skilled, independent, and confident in herbal-based entrepreneurship.' Herbal farms spanning five hectares have been established in Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Perlis, and Johor. FRIM's Herbal Technology Centre (HTC) ensures product authenticity, with compliance to Halal certification and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The initiative also enjoys support from agencies like FELCRA Bhd and the Ministry of Health. With the global herbal market projected to reach RM1.6 trillion by 2030, FRIM continues to support local entrepreneurs in tapping into this growing industry. Interested cooperatives can contact FRIM at farah@ for details. - Bernama
Barnama
30-06-2025
- Science
- Barnama
FRIM Leads In Conservation Of Karas Trees And Raising Quality Of Agarwood
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is one of the main producers of agarwood from natural forests, but the valuable resin-producing species of karas wood is now facing threats due to overexploitation and misunderstanding among the community regarding its production process. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) research officer Dr Abd Majid Jalil said that not all karas trees produce agarwood because the resin is only produced through a chemical reaction when the tree experiences certain stress. 'The general perception that equates karas tree with the 'gaharu tree' has caused it (karas tree) to be cut down even though it does not contain agarwood, which has contributed to the decline of the species. 'The confusion is also manipulated by certain parties by selling karas tree seedlings as agarwood seedlings without explaining the actual process of formation of the resin,' he said in a statement. Agarwood is a type of high-value aromatic resin that is widely used in the perfume industry, aromatic wood burning and religious ceremonies, especially in Middle Eastern and Asian countries. It is formed naturally when the karas tree (Aquilaria spp.) is injured due to fungal attacks, insects or other physical disturbances. He called on the public not to be fooled by the sale of seedlings called 'agaharu seedlings' without a complete understanding of the process that requires additional time and effort to produce quality resin. Elaborating further, he said the main karas tree species that produce agarwood include Aquilaria malaccensis, A. crassna, A. sinensis, A. rugosa, A. microcarpa, A. hirta, A. beccariana and A. rostrata, but the population of the species is declining in Peninsular Malaysia. Due to the threat, he said the Aquilaria species is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Meanwhile, Abd Majid said FRIM, which has been conducting research on agarwood for 25 years, also provides technical services and advice to entrepreneurs and communities to improve the understanding of the resin production process and sustainable tree management practices.
