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Durian growers urged to diversify fruit species

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Ik Pahon (centre) receives a souvenir in a form of a durian plant from Ronald right) while UPM senior lecturer Mike Jiwan (left) looks on. Photo : Ramidi Subari

BAU: Orchardists, fruit growers and farmers in general have been encouraged to plant several different species of durians instead of concentrating only on the most popular ones.

“Don’t just plant Musang Kingonly,” said Deputy State Secretary (Rural Transformation) Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik.

Ik Pahon, who is also Sarawak Durian Planters and Entrepreneurs Association (PPUDS) chairman, is all for diversification.

“Sarawak may be able to produce species which are even better than Musang King.”

On how that can be achieved, he spoke of research and development (R&D) that could be done in future.

“Who knows? One day we might surpass Musang King.”

He said these when officiating at the opening of a durian planting course organised by the Sarawak Agriculture Department (DoA) in collaboration with PPUDS at Dewan Masyarakat Siniawan near here today.

On durian species which are unique and native to Borneo, Ik Pahon said it was important to gather, preserve, and promote them.

“In the Bau area alone, there are various species of durian which may taste better than Musang King. So we should plant numerous species for R&D,” he urged.

Ik Pahon said the durian industry was not as it was years ago, pointing out there were many aspects to consider such as fertiliser, diseases, and so on especially in terms of commercial durian planting.

Noting that the session on Saturday only covered the basics of durian planting, he said DoA had agreed to continue such courses next year to enable participants to develop their knowledge to the next level.

As for those who already had mature durian trees which no longer bore fruit, he said DoA had a recovery scheme for such trees to allow them to produce fruit.

He also shared on some of PPUDS’ aims, encouraging attendees and those in the durian industry to join as members.

“Among the objectives of PPUDS is to gather enthusiasts and durian industry players,” he said, adding that the association was also a platform for exchanging information and learning from experts in the field.

“Our aim is to help members increase their knowledge in the aspects of planting, management, processing, and marketing. Durians certainly have a lot of potential,” he added.

Ik Pahon said PPUDS hoped to create an association unit in Bau District to facilitate knowledge and experience-sharing, especially since there were already a few successful durian planters and entrepreneurs in the district who could share their techniques and tactics.

Meanwhile, Ronald Ripid, Food Crop and Regional Development Division head at DoA, assured that the department would try to focus on Bau District next year and organise more courses.

“We want especially our younger generation, whether they are graduates or not, to know there is money to be made in the agriculture sector,” he said.

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