Boost technical skills for better yields, durian farmers advised

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Jan 11): Durian farmers must strive to enhance their technical knowledge in ensuring more consistent and higher quality yields, given that this fruit stands as one of Sarawak’s high-value agro-commodities.

In pointing this out, Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail also listed systematic farm management, as well as the usage of high-quality fertilisers and pesticides as essential elements in successful implementation.

“These practices are crucial for the durian trees to withstand increasingly complex disease threats,” he said prior to the start of a course on durian crop management and disease control here on Saturday, reported by Sarawak Public Communications Unit’s (Ukas).

On the course, Dr Abdul Rahman – also the State Farmers Organisation (SFO) Sarawak chairman – said it meant to support the farmers in grasping the importance of good agricultural practices, and also to provide them with insight on effective disease control methods.

“This is in line with the SFO’s role in helping farmers understand the use of new technologies in modern cultivation, as well as fostering strategic collaboration with the private sector and the relevant agencies.

“In this regard, participation in this course is crucial, as the attendees will be exposed to proper durian cultivation methods applicable throughout the year, covering fertilisation, disease control, farm management, and step-by-step preparation for the fruiting season,” he elaborated.

Also present were MQH Resources Sdn Bhd director of operations and sales Hamzah Hamid, Bayer CS Malaysia representative Alex Sim, and SFO Sarawak general manager Gom Raway.