Report on industrial training at Agriculture Research Station Quion Hill Tawau, Sabah

Agricultural research station, Quoin hill, Tawau formerly known as Cocoa Research Centre, Quoin hill famous among cocoa entrepreneurs in the world. This Quoin hill research station was established in 1957, specifically for cocoa research and development. It is located on Quoin hill, 210 meters above sea level and 39 km from the town of Tawau on the east coast of the state of Sabah. The average annual amount at this station is 2150mm with a monthly rainfall of 160-270 mm. Regular distribution and average daily 'sunshine hour' by 5.4 hours. The ground do this station is a type of 'volcanic' which has a well-drained nature. The total area of the station is 363 hectares and 222 hectares of which have been developed with fruit and cocoa plants. Cocoa technology developed by this station has been well accepted and adopted by the public especially the high quality cocoa hybrids that are called 'Sabah Mixed Hybrids'. With the availability of quality technology and plant materials has made Malaysia the fourth largest producer of cocoa in the world in 1991 with 430,000 ha area and 230,000 tonnes of dried cocoa after Brazil, cote 'D' lvorie and Ghana. However, due to economic factors and disease and pest attacks, Malaysia's position dropped to tenth in 2007 with Brazil. The station has shifted to fruit research and development. The station has also been transformed from a cocoa research centre to an agricultural research center. Fruit research includes 15 of the 20 types of fruits. The fruits are Durian, Pineapple, Starfruit, Jackfruit, Cempedak, Tarap, Sukun, Ciku, Salak, Papaya, Mango, Mangosteen, Rambutan, Melon, Lansium {Langsat, Duku-Langsat, Duku, Dukong). Fruity fruits such as Avocado, Starfruit cider, Dragon fruit, Guava, Durian belanda, Anona and fruit species are also collected and stored. The main purpose of the research program is to develop, introduce high yielding, quality materials and the latest technology to improve yield, quality and reduce production costs, maximizing resource utilization through inter-cropping systems and also conducting joint research on farmer farms to accelerate and effectively propagate technology to create a technology-conscious, progressive and competitive knowledge society.