NILAI, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is expected to fully implement its e-grading system for exporters of fruits and vegetables by next year the latest.

Deputy Director General of FAMA (Development), Sahbani Saimin said the e-grading was a quality control and grade verification programme by FAMA based on the regulations under the 1990 Fruits Exportation Licensing.

"The e-grading system will be used through the Internet, enabling FAMA to operate in a more effective and efficient manner," he said in a statement here on Tuesday.

Exporters will also be able to use the system.

"The objective of the e-grading is to make it easier to carry out grade inspection on agriculture produce though an electronic system," he said, adding that for a start 16 exporters had already received their honours.

Sahbani said that prior to this, in order to export, most exporters had to send their fruits and vegetables to FAMA's Agriculture Produce Quality Inspection Centre at the KL International Airport (KLIA) or call in a FAMA grading officer to the exporter's premises. This could take as long as three hours.

Through e-grading, this process will take only 10 to 20 minutes at the exporter's premises itselt.

Sahbani said during the first phase (2006 - 2007), an electronic grading system was used for star fruit and papaya, while in the second pahse three more commodities were added namely watermelon, pineapple and cabbage.

"For the third phase (2009 - 2010) we have added another list of fruits, including Cavendish banana as well as mangoes and papaya," he said.

Sahbani said with the electronic method, exporters will be able to send the verifications via online, free and without the use of paper.

He said a dialogue was also held with exporters nationwide to find a joint effort in dealing with protocals set by the importing countries.

-- BERNAMA