BANDAR BAHARU: Being passionate about something can really pay off, if one is willing to learn and explore opportunities.
Heng Wee On, 58, a mechanical engineer and his family has always been passionate about the king of fruits, and the same passion has made them durian exporters.
Through the family owned setup Serene Orchard Sdn Bhd, Heng succeeded in exporting the “Duri Hitam” and the “Musang King” frozen durians to China and Hong Kong.
In 2015, the company exported “Duri Hitam” durian worth more than RM1 million and this figure does not take into account the value of the Musang King exported.
Heng was met at the ‘Jom Makan Durian’ (Lets Eat Durian) programme organised by the Kulim/Bandar Baharu Puteri Umno division at his durian orchard in Kampung Permatang Kerat Telunjuk, Bagan Samak, here, recently.
Also present at the programme were Kedah state exco member who is also Bandar Baharu assemblywoman Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor and Kedah Puteri Umno chief Datin Hashimah Tajuddin.
A FAMILY UNDERTAKING
Recounting his family’s venture into durian farming, Heng said the hilly piece of land where the orchard stands today was once planted with rubber.
“It was in 1991 that we began planting citrus alongside durian, including clone varieties like the D24, D197, D175, D185 and local types, but the citrus did not thrive and were prone to disease,” he said.
The citrus trees were cut down in year 2000 and replaced with new durian clones from Sungai Bakap, Seberang Perai known as ‘Duri Hitam’ (Black Thorn).
In 2009, using the matured tree grafting method, and the grafting skills of his father Bak Kee, saplings that could bear fruit in two to three years were produced.
“In 2013 a total of 2,800 durian trees from the grafting method started to bear fruits. It is the same year when they started exporting both the Musang King and Duri Hitam, with the export value worth RM4 million.
“In 2014, we exported durians worth RM2 million and the export value depends on the harvest,” he added.
MORE DURIAN TREES
Through hard work, the 37.5 hectares of land now christened as Bukit Bak Kee (after Heng’s father) or Bukit 80 Relong in Kampung Permatang Kerat Telunjuk, Bagan Samak subdistrict, here, now has 5,500 Duri Hitam durian trees.
The hilly area situated 257 metres above sea level is now an attraction to fans of the Duri Hitam and Musang King durian considered the most expensive variants, costing RM40 to RM50 per kilogramme.
Meanwhile, Norsabrina said besides Kampung Relau which is also a durian producing area in the district, this hilly area will also become a popular destination.
“Local tourists from northern and southern states too have dropped by the durian orchard when the fruit is in season,” she said referring to Bukit Bak Kee.
RECOGNITION FOR HENG
Bandar Baharu District Agriculture Officer Awang Iffaizul Awang Mohd Sapuani wants more durian orchard owners in the district and nearby areas to take the initiative to plant the Duri Hitam clones through the matured tree grafting methods.
This method not only produces trees that bear quality fruits but also expedites the process of fruition.
Awang Iffaizul, who was also present at the event, said Heng’s company was awarded the Malaysian Farm Certification Scheme for Good Agricultural Practices (SALM) in April 2013. It is the first orchard in the district to obtain the certificate.
“SALM is a certification scheme outlined by the Department of Agriculture to farms that implement Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) that are environmentally friendly, and also cares for the welfare and safety of its workers,” he added. --BERNAMA