SHAH ALAM, March 19 — A premium soft melon produced in Selangor under the Agriculture Modernisation Permanent Committee’s research-and-development (R&D) initiative is now officially known as MASMELON, said state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato’ Izham Hashim.
He said the name was chosen from public submissions to his Facebook inbox and in his post comment sections.
He added that several people who suggested runner-up names like Melova, Melon Sudu Emas, and Melon Mas Selangor would receive consolation prizes.
“The chosen name would be used officially and the winner will be rewarded with a mystery gift from me,” he said when announcing the MASMELON moniker on TikTok Live.
On February 28, Izham said the state government has continued to log achievements in the agrofood sector with its success in developing soft melon varieties via R&D initiatives.
He explained that the production of new varieties is a strategic measure to modernise Selangor’s agriculture industry, increase domestic commercial value, and boost market competition.
Previously, a melon variety dubbed MeloSel proved effective in increasing farmers’ revenue, having been sold at around RM15 per kg while regular melons were sold at RM4 per kg.
However, MeloSel’s availability is limited due to the crop’s low productivity.
Selangor’s estimated 10,000 premium melon plants are handled in commercial crops in Kampung Endah, Kuala Langat, with the figure to rise to 30,000 to fulfil increasing domestic demand.
