BETONG: In five to six years from now, there may be bountiful harvests of the much coveted Musang King durian from here. This is if the ongoing state government programme to cultivate the fruit widely in the Betong parliamentary constituency covering the Bukit Saban, Saribas and Layar state constituencies is a glowing success. According to Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, the state government has set aside a sum of RM2.5 million for the purpose.
He said the target was to plant an estimated 50,000 trees. Speaking to the media in Spaoh near here yesterday, he said the programne was to supplement the income of local farmers who also grew oil palm, pepper and rubber. He said for a start, about 1,000 seedlings had been distributed to farmers in Paku and Beduru areas here.
“ We will continue to deliver upon getting more planting materials,” he said. He said each family would be given five seedlings. Uggah said it was estimated that a properly cared for mature tree could produce around 200 fruits per season. On the same note, the Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Minister of the Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said the Agriculture Department, too, would organise a course to rehabilitate old durian trees which were still bearing fruits in the Layar Agriculture Station this December.
This would be conducted by officers from the department and a company, Top Fruits Sdn Bhd, which is an anchor company buying durian fruits during its season. Uggah said currently, there was no culture of maintenance among rural folks for their durians. “The practice is to let them grow, harvest and then leave them alone until the next fruiting season. “Thus, the harvest is low because of the lack of proper maintenance, including spplying the specific fertiliser,” he said, adding that based on studies done, a properly cared for mature tree could bear around 100 fruits each season. Uggah said the course would expose the participants to the latest maintenance technology.
“ We hope with the knowledge gained, they can increase their production to generate more income. “On the problem of very low prices during bumper season here, we have now an anchor company to buy the bountiful harvests at Layar. “We plan to appoint more such companies to buy from all over the state.” He said last year, the existing anchor company managed to sell 16 tonnes of durian flesh to China. Meanwhile, on the choice of Musang King in the programme, he said this was due to the tremendous demand from China. “ We, too, have nany native species which have the same potentials. We are still doing more research and development,” he said.
Uggah attributed both programmes to Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg who wanted rural folks to generate more income from their own economic endeavours on their own land. Meanwhile, yesterday, Uggah, accompanied by Betong Member of Parliament, Robert Lawson Chuat, Betong Resident, Friday Belik and representatives of various government departments and agencies visited eight longhouses in the Bangkit Rembai areas here. The visits were to check on the people’s welfare and to listen to their grouses with a view to solve them on the spot.
