James Kon
The Sultanate currently has its own commercial production and export ready of its own juicy and sweet cherry tomatoes. It is one of the bigger projects undertaken by Superfish Growers Sdn Bhd, known for the success of home-grown premium Bruneian muskmelons in the country.
Superfish Growers Sdn Bhd has produced cherry tomatoes in one of its greenhouse, to the credit of the pilot project Eco Nursery (EN) system, a container type cultivation system that utilises cultivation technology of temperate crops in country.
The indoor hydroponic cultivation system was used to produce cherry tomatoes seeds that are germinated in a perfect enclosed environment using robotics, and then transplanted to the green house once they are mature seedlings.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin with officials from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) visited the project site to witness the first innovative eco-nursery technology of cultivation.
Superfish Growers Sdn Bhd Business Development Manager Hazel Lim and Chief Technical Officer Lee Wei Sheng were also present.
The pilot venture is under Asia Digital Transformation (ADX) project sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Japan, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and supported by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). The technology is transferred from ELM Co Ltd, Japan who developed Eco Nursery system.
Advisor to the President for Brunei Affairs, ERIA Okoushi Hiroshi said, “It is important to establish cultivation technology to control the harsh environment of high temperature, high humidity and heavy rains to promote domestic production of high value vegetables.
“We want to help Brunei achieve food security and improve the quality of life of the people. ERIA is also discussing with the ministry in Brunei as well as ASEAN for the next project for food security through ASEAN minister’s agriculture meeting.”
Lee revealed that Superfish Growers Sdn Bhd strives to become the king of melons in the Sultanate, as they have produced a variety of high value and quality melons.
One of the latest products to add on to the current Bruneian muskmelon is the Spanish variety ‘Piel de Sapo’, that is also being exported to Singapore and Malaysia.
“We are looking to plant more varieties of melons in the future. We currently have eight greenhouses and are looking to build another five,” he added.
Lee also stated that besides cherry tomatoes, the company is in the process of trying to produce Japanese strawberries.
During COVID-19, he said, “our exports of muskmelons to Singapore and Malaysia received a good response due to people ordering them online”.
