Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol. 2 i National Durian

Some people expressed the view that good weather in the beginning of year 2019 contributed to favourable production in most durian farms throughout Malaysia. However, a Johor farmer indicated that during the flowering season around Chinese New Year, a few days of drought, even with intermittent rain, wilting of flowers occurred. Consistent good weather is not the only prime factor contributing to flowering and fruit set, other equally important factors are soil management and water supply. The Johor farmer has succeeded in improving fruit set from the low 30% - 40% to the present day 80% after 2 years of good agriculture pactices. Well, how did he achieve it? “It is the perfect combination of irrigation and fertilization.” Like most other farmers, he adopts automatic irrigation to save labour and…

Malaysia has a well developed plantation industry. Unfortunately the downstream sector is lagging behind. Presently, durian is at its peak performance, if durian cultivation run parallel with downstream activities, the future of durians could be as bright as oil palm. Since durian is a seasonal fruit, local durian farmers had improved their cultivation methods to increase production year round in order to meet the huge demands from the Chinese market. Most Chinese durian enthusiasts are not only keen in having fresh durians but they are also showing great interest in durian downstream products. As a result, it is now possible to expect three to four harvests per year. Keeping this in mind, one should next focus on ways to strengthen downstream product development. To our benefit, after all these years,…

Although Lim Sing Tam is considered a novice to the durian industry, he has an undying interest in agriculture and has gradually established himself in the industry with his hard work and optimism. His orchard is strategically located in Kampung Teratai which is on the main road leading to Jementah in Tangkak, Northern Johor. Kampung Teratai is dominated by the Singaporean market and has always earned good economic benefit for Malaysia. Lim Sing Tam has not installed an irrigation system as the durian orchard is under contract. This is not out of the ordinary as Johor has a high amount of rainfall. “As long as the extreme dry weather like that occuring in 2016 no longer occurs, the durian trees will still be able to grow normally,” he said. The…

The durian orchard in Machap, Johor has been efficiently managed with each hill slope planted with durian trees at spacing approximately 25 x 25 feet apart. It is evident that Malaysia is heading towards intensive cultivation of durians. Cultivation of durians on flat terrain will be convenient for maintenance of the orchard. It would also be suitable for the irrigation system and drainage. Johor has high rainfall, good aeration helps to reduce disease outbreaks. Close planting would increase the crop yield capacity of the orchard. The orchard covers a lush area of 40 acres. The owner of the orchard mentioned that he grows many varieties of durian, mainly Musang King and Blackthorn. He has trees 40 to 50 years old and middle-aged trees of 15-year-old trees. Having many years of…

The climate throughout Malaysia could not be more apt in contributing to the high yield during the durian season in mid 2019. This is also the case for Johor durian farmer, Lim Sing Tam. During the interview in late April 2019, his durian trees were already yielding fruitful results, particularly his young durian trees under his excellent management. The 10-acre-orchard has produced bountiful crop weighing between 1 to 2 tons in the previous year. “This time I believe it will be more,” Lim Sing Tam said with a smile. In terms of horticultural management, proper care can help improve the overall quality of crops. Lim Sing Tam pointed out that managing Musang King seedlings, especially its roots, is extremely important. If the roots are damaged, it will affect its growth.…