TAWAU: The growing demand for durian in both domestic and international markets is fuelling the expansion of new plantations in Tawau, reaffirming the district’s position as a key durian producer in Sabah’s East Coast region.
According to the Sabah Agriculture Department, under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development initiative, Tawau is expected to see the addition of 100 hectares of durian cultivation this year, primarily driven by private sector investment. Another 40 acres are projected to be developed by smallholders.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said the expansion would add to the district’s current 336 hectares of durian plantations, largely concentrated in Apas, Balung, and Merotai.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“Tawau remains the leading durian-producing district on the East Coast, and there’s still room for expansion, especially to meet export market demand,” he said during the Durian Crop Technology Transformation Course held at Dewan Sri Tawau, recently.
Nizam encouraged farmers and rural communities in the district to seize the opportunity to venture into durian cultivation using modern agricultural techniques, with support and guidance from the Agriculture Department.
He also urged industry players to ensure their produce meets quality and safety standards by adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or organic farming methods, which can lead to certifications such as myGAP or myOrganic.
“We must ensure that our durian produce is safe for consumption and of high quality.
“This includes using certified planting materials and participating in training courses organised by the department, such as those that help farmers identify genuine durian seedlings,” he said.
He emphasised that authenticity and quality assurance would play a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of Sabah’s durian in premium markets.
Also present were Sabah Agriculture Director Datuk Jifrin Mohamad, Assistant Director of the Crop Industry Development and Extension Division Jackson Ronald Jaimi, and Assistant Director of Research and Innovation ChM Alinah Abdul Rahman.
Others included District Senior Agricultural Officer Abd Samat Injau, who served as co-secretariat for the event and Senior Principal Assistant Director of the Agricultural Extension and Technology Transformation Section Linda Lily Cosmas.
