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The papaya
is believed to be native to southern
Mexico and neighboring Central
America. It is now present in every
tropical and subtropical country,
including Malaysia where research has
produced a very popular variety known
as the papaya exotica. A pure line
variety developed
from a cross between the Hawaiian
Sunrise Solo and Subang 6, the exotica
weighs about
600 to 800 gm. The fruit is a
perennial favourite rich in vitamins
A, C, potassium and the enzyme papain.
The papaya is easily grown in Malaysia
where it proliferates in
kampungs and even backyards. The
higher quality clone varieties are
commercially cultivated for local
consumption and export. |
