JASIN, Aug 14 — Dickson Tai grew up in a 5.6-hectare durian orchard in Tiang Dua here, established by his grandfather 35 years ago. Today, at just 22, he has taken on the responsibility of carrying forward his family’s durian business.
Jasin-born Tai said the orchard has witnessed his journey from childhood to becoming the third-generation custodian of his grandfather and father’s legacy.
“Some of the trees may be older than me. So, to me, they are not just ordinary durian trees. When my grandfather first established the orchard, he perhaps never imagined that 35 years later, those same trees would be cared for by the third generation.
“From a young age, I watched my grandfather and father tend to the durian trees. Eventually, I began learning and helping them,” he told Bernama during the Melaka Surreal Durian Experience 2026 programme organised by Tourism Malaysia’s Southern Region recently.
With a demanding daily routine, Tai is not only adept at identifying different durian varieties but also has an in-depth understanding of the needs of each tree to ensure the fruits are of the highest quality.
Tai acknowledged that caring for the trees requires great patience, particularly when dealing with root diseases that can threaten their survival.
“Ordinary varieties such as durian kahwin do not require much care... installing a support net is usually sufficient.
“But premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn require more meticulous attention. I take care of them like babies. Every day, I talk to the durian trees and tell them stories,” he said.
Like any other business, Tai said running an orchard comes with its share of pressure and challenges, particularly when dealing with issues such as fruit quality, diseases, market conditions and export matters.
“There are times when it feels quite overwhelming, but when I think about it, my grandfather started it, my father continued it, and now that responsibility has been passed on to me,” he said.
The orchard’s location near oil palm plantations also exposes the crops to threats from wild animals and human trespassers, particularly when the aroma of ripe durians fills the air during the fruiting season.
According to Tai, the morning harvest alone can reach nearly one tonne, depending on seasonal conditions.
The young entrepreneur, meanwhile, has successfully expanded the family business into durian wholesaling and exports.
“In the past, we focused only on the trees and fruit. Now, we have also expanded into wholesaling and exports. Farmers from Melaka send their fruit to us, and from there, we handle the wholesale and export operations,” he said.
Today, durians from Tai’s family orchard and farms around Melaka are shipped to countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and Macau. Air shipments to China take about 18 hours, while deliveries to Hong Kong take around 12 hours.
Tai also hopes to bring Melaka’s exclusive durian varieties to the international stage, particularly limited-edition varieties such as D103 (Mimpi Cinta), which boasts a unique bittersweet flavour, and D2 (Datuk Nina), one of the state’s prized varieties. — Bernama
