Hishamuddin is an orchid hunter. But today, he has less time for orchids. He has a new love, one that gives him a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment. And he’s making some money, probably more than when he was an orchid hunter.
A chance meeting at a durian stall in Behrang Ulu, Perak, about a month ago led me eventually to his fig garden. A civil engineer by training and profession, Hishamuddin bin Othman, HBO to his friends, now eats, breathes and lives figs!
The fruit that is mentioned in the Quran is now gaining in popularity in many parts of the country. Hishamuddin now tends his 200-odd fig trees during most of his spare time.
He bought a bungalow along with many professionals at an exclusive residential area called Diamond Creeks, less than five minutes from Proton City. When it started about 20 years ago, the enclave never really took off, which led to many original owners selling their houses.
Hishamuddin was one of those who bought over a unit much later. In the last few years, more professionals and the urban rich came in to buy these houses, renovated and upgraded them, and are now showing positive signs of growth and life.
Set against the backdrop of the main range (Banjaran Gunung Titiwangsa), Diamond Creeks offers residents a rather majestic view of green jungle, hills, chirping birds, cool mornings and a clear stream to rejuvenate tired bodies and minds. Hishamuddin’s fig garden is set in these surroundings.
He moved in to his bungalow six years ago, feeling at ease with his new surroundings. As a consultant engineer, Hishamuddin maintains an office in Damansara and Puchong. It takes only about one hour from his home to the office, he said.
In his new house, Hishamuddin continued his hunt for orchids but stumbled on figs instead. And, he has never looked back since. According to locals, it’s now figs day and night for the 53-year-old man. Even his small orchid house looked sad and untended.
I caught up with him a few days ago.
“I have more than 200 fig plants, with slightly more than 80 varieties. I started with three varieties about four years ago. I didn’t know how far I would go into figs. But after four fruitful years, I’m very sure that fig growing and marketing is going to take up a lot of my time in the future.
“No one introduced me to figs. I stumbled upon it on Facebook. My first two plants were bought from a seller in Kuala Kangsar. The seller is well known in the area and goes by the name Tok One (Long Jaafar) on Facebook.
“I bought the two plants at RM175 each and went home eager to begin my adventure. My love affair with figs then went full steam. I’m still learning and discovering many new aspects of the plant and the fruit itself.
“I did many experiments, spoke to other growers and scanned the globe over the Internet on figs. My search led me to many discoveries. I later learned that there are fig seedlings being sold at RM1,500 each while there are growers who would not bat an eyelid to acquire seedlings at double that price,”
HBO said with a glow on his face.
It is not uncommon for fig growers to have hundreds of varieties. Hardcore collectors will go to great lengths to acquire new varieties. It is widely accepted that the world’s authority is in Spain where the Mediterranean weather is a firm favourite for the fruit.
Figs can be eaten fresh or dried. Most people have eaten dried figs. Pilgrims returning from Mecca often buy them to bring home. But fresh figs are best eaten within a few days of being plucked. Fresh or dried figs have many medicinal values. They are rich in calcium, fibre and potassium.
Hishamuddin grows his figs in a makeshift greenhouse which he refers to as RPH — rain protection house. Fig plants need protection from rain. In fact, the plant can die if there’s overwatering. But Hishamuddin has designed his own watering system which also doubles as a fertilising unit.
Planting fig plants is quite easy. They can either be planted direct into the soil or in pots around the house compound.
The Malaysian climate is very suitable for fig planting, he said. And the fruit can be made available throughout the year. In fact, Hishamuddin has teamed up with three other fig growers in the Tanjung Malim area to regularise the marketing of their fruits so that the fruits are available all-year round.
Some fig fruits can fetch really high prices. It’s not uncommon to see the fruits being marketed at between RM150 and RM180 per kg. Fig lovers would not shy away from these prices, in the same way that durian lovers would not hesitate buying the king of fruits at RM100 or RM120 per kg!
Will you be selling your fruits at these prices, I asked HBO.
“No, not in the Tanjung Malim area. My market is basically in nearby towns. My aim is to help popularise the fruits and get more people to plant figs. Let’s enjoy growing and eating the fruits. I want to make the fruit affordable.”
We may hear more from Hishamuddin in the future. He is now experimenting with growing grapes and lowland strawberries.
Good luck, HBO! Share your success stories with us later!
Twitter: @aatpahitmanis
Ahmad A Talib is chairman of Yayasan Salam Malaysia