I, Farm Boy! Wild Tropical Tree Durian Gains Huge World Market

The King of Tropical Fruits, Durian, has undergone massive genetic transformation from its days as a wild jungle tree to a commercially grown fruit tree with a vast market potential.
Durian (sn: Durio zibethinus L.) is native to Southeast Asian countries, especially in the island of Borneo.
In the Philippines, the island of Palawan had a wild Durian species, Durio graveolens, which was later propagated in Mindanao, especially in Calinan District of Davao City.
Durian grows well at 600 to 1,000 meters above sea level but modern farming technology has enhanced its propagation even in lower elevations.
While Thailand claims to have developed the best hybrids, Malaysia and the Philippines have also created their own special hybrids.
Malaysia has the very expensive Musang King while the Philippines has Puyat and other variants developed by private nurseries.
China is now the biggest market while Australians and Americans have started to discover the exotic smell and taste of this fruit with hard and thorny shell.
As of 2021, China imported 821,500 metric tons of Durian valued at $4.2 billion.
Durian stands as one of our best options in introducing a “hybrid” re-greening program, planting fruit trees which could generate income for the farmers.
Government should boost the propagation of Durian in other parts of the country.
#farmingisappliedscience!