Development of hybrid prized melons in Malaysia inspires new generation of young farmers

TERENGGANU: The development of hybrid premium melons on Malaysia’s east coast has inspired a new generation of young farmers.
 
These Terengganu farmers hope that with the right marketing exposure, they can scale up their businesses and expand to other markets beyond their borders. 
 
The Cucumis Melo is a hybrid of seven varieties of melons curated from China and Japan. It was developed nearly a decade ago to spearhead the state’s premium fruit industry. 
 
Today, it is known as the sweet melon of Terengganu.

“HIDDEN GEM OF TERENGGANU”

The sweet and juicy texture - which is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside - was a hit among locals and foreigners at entrepreneurial expo organised by central bank at Sasana Kijang . 
 
But the seeds are closely guarded by the state government, which dictates that these melons can only be planted in Terengganu. 
 
There are now just over 30 active melon farmers in Terengganu. Among them is Ms Raja Nordianah, founder and CEO of agricultural farming business Murai Estates. 
 
“It is really a hidden gem of Terengganu. We are very optimistic. We have not really capitalised (on) its full market potential,” she said. 
 
“The Japanese have been at it for many years, so much so that when you think of Japanese melons, you are prepared to pay hundreds of dollars for that.’’
 
The Terengganu melons, priced around US$5 per kilo, are currently sold at a fraction of the price of imported ones. They also boast a long shelf life, Ms Raja added. 
 
“The longer you keep the sweeter it gets. It can last four to five weeks. So we've taken baby steps but now we are ready … to make it big.”

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES FROM WEATHER TO FUNDING

These sweet melons are grown in greenhouses on four cycles each year. They thrive in hot weather, and are ready to be harvested in 65 days.
 
In general, hotter weather leads to larger fruits, as the melons suck up more water and nutrients from the ground. 
 
However, farmers said that the unpredictable weather these days poses a constant headache for them.
 
To improve farm operations, technologies such as artificial intelligence are being adopted. They also help to gather useful data to future-proof the industry.
 
The huge potential of Terengganu melons has inspired two female postgraduates - Mazaitul Akma Suhaimi and Norzilawati Fauzi, who both majored in food and biotechnology - to venture into the business.
 
Ms Mazaitul is the founder of Ayana Agrotech, which currently sells about 70 per cent of their produce in and around the capital Kuala Lumpur. 
 
The company hopes to export to the Middle East, as well as Hong Kong and neighbouring Singapore next year. 
 
“The biggest challenge is the fund to start. It’s quite hard if you are new. Fertigation is quite costly,” said Ms Mazaitul, referring to the technique of supplying dissolved fertiliser to crops through an irrigation system. 
 
“We can sell the melons at a good price. It has excellent quality in terms of taste and texture. We must do proper marketing to introduce it to the whole of Malaysia,” she added.