PENAMPANG: The Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) Ministry aims to alleviate poverty in Sabah by encouraging the cultivation of premium durian varieties.
Its minister, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, said that a mature durian tree can produce approximately 50 fruits, averaging two kilograms each. At current market rates, this can generate an income of over RM4,000 per tree.
Consequently, Jamawi announced that starting next year, the ministry will empower the "Kitchen Garden" Program (Program Kebun Dapur) by encouraging rural residents to plant at least four to five premium durian trees around their homes.
The planter-turned-minister said that while waiting for the first harvest, farmers often face high costs.
To address this, the ministry will implement an integrated initiative involving all agencies including the fisheries, veterinary, and industrial sectors to support participants during the five to six years it takes for the trees to mature.
“For example, they can rear tilapia or breed broiler and layer chickens in their backyards to generate income while waiting for the durian harvest,” he said during a media familiarisation trip to an 81-hectare orchard at Kampung Timpangoh Laut, Sugud, today.
The Melalap assemblyman also urged Sabahans to increase the cultivation of premium varieties such as Musang King, Black Thorn, IOI, and superior local varieties to meet export potential, particularly to China.
To fulfill China's demand, Jamawi estimated that Sabah would require the yield from at least 4,046 hectares of plantation.
However, current statistics show that Sabah has only 2,023 hectares planted, with only 324 hectares currently matured and producing fruit.
"During a recent visit by the Sabah Durian and Tropical Fruit Planters Association to Hainan, China, we learned that while they have begun cultivating durians, their production costs are significantly higher due to land prices and the cost of protecting trees from tropical storms.
"There, durians are priced at approximately RMB125 (RM71) per kilogram, which makes our produce more competitive. Furthermore, durians grown in Malaysia maintain a superior flavor profile due to our ideal tropical climate."
Jamawi also shared that the association has opened a durian processing and marketing factory in Keningau, with plans to expand to Tawau and Kota Kinabalu, including the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) area.
He said local varieties that are particularly appealing to foreign tourists, such as the Kinabalu King, identifiable by its pyramid-shaped thorns. While the variety is similar to the A14 from Penang, Jamawi noted that the association decided to brand it as Kinabalu King because the Sabah-grown fruit offers a distinct taste.
Recognising this potential, Jamawi said the 81-hectare orchard in Penampang—co-owned by five individuals—is being earmarked for development as an agrotourism destination.
"Most durian orchards are far from the city, but this location is ideal as it is only about 45 minutes from the city center. We want tourists from China and Korea to enjoy durians in the orchard while relaxing by the river, which is rich with Pelian fish," he added.
Regarding sustainability, Jamawi emphasized that the ministry is collaborating with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and UiTM Sabah on research and agronomic practices, including the use of organic materials.
"We practice sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture. If you look further down, there is a riparian zone that we leave untouched, even though it is part of this titled land.
"We want to preserve the river environment to ensure it remains protected. Similarly, we do not plant on steep slopes; instead, we maintain the existing forest to ensure our work remains sustainable," he said.
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