Couple enjoys retirement while growing durian and other fruits at their organic farm in Bentong

From clockwise:The entrance to the organic farm in Karak, Bentong.Ng showing the leguminouscover crops in his farm that provide an ideal ecosystem for his fruit trees. Musang King also has a distinct outer feature which other species (left) do not have.

A couple’s love for the durian extends beyond savouring the fruit — they also cultivate it at their organic farm in Bentong, Pahang.

Ng Swee Pen, 61, and his wife Chin Nyuk Pheng, 58, also take a personal interests in nurturing the fruit trees at the farm in Karak, about 30km from Bentong town.

Ng said trees are part of nature and need care and attention.

“Trees thrive in as natural a setting as possible,” said Ng who has a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Ng showing the leguminouscover crops in his farm that provide an ideal ecosystem for his fruit trees.

He is proud that his orchard received organic certification from the government in 2012.

Drawing from his decades of experience — working in plantations — Ng said the yield would be good if the trees are healthy.

He only use methods which are good for the environment and health.

“There are no added chemicals, artificial pesticides and fertilisers or GMO (genetically modified organisms) in our orchard,” Ng said when met at Karak Organic Durian Farm in Mukim Sabai, Karak, Bentong.

Apart from durian, he said his 11 acre (4.45ha) orchard also has fruit trees like nangka, mangosteen, papaya, rambutan and dukong.

Ng’s enthusiasm for organic farming was clear to see as he explained its merits on his laptop before taking visitors around his orchard.

The tip of the Musa King durian (right) has a mark of the shape of a star fish while other species (left) do not have such a mark.

“We are also practising reuse, reduce and recycle in our orchard.

“Everything can be put to good use, from the skins of fruit to the fallen leaves and branches because they are ingredients for organic fertilisers,” he said as he threw papaya skin on the ground.

Using the analogy of a healthy human being who eats and lives well, Ng said healthy trees thrive and produce good yields.

To protect the soil and also ensure its quality and structure, his orchard is planted with leguminous cover crop, said Ng who lifted the leaves of the cover crops, revealing a natural habitat for insects, including butterflies.

Beneath the ground, he added, is the habitat for earthworms which help to loosen the soil and make it breathable.

“This is very important for the absorption of nutrients from the soil,” he explained as he continued to reel out scientific facts and names to explain the biological, physical and mechanical aspects of organic farming.

Ng (right) and Chin like to spend their weekends at the organic farm.

While one visit may not be enough for most to fully understand the process, Ng was able to convince us of the benefits of organic farming in a simple and logical manner.

Seeing and feeling is believing, and the lush greenery, crisp air, chirping birds and fluttering butterflies in his orchard offered a relaxing atmosphere and perfect getaway from stressful city living.

Ng said he also has visitors from countries like Japan and Australia and that he had started exporting his durian to Hong Kong last year.

As a durian farmer, Ng is naturally an expert on the king of fruits and was able to give its history.

He said Musang King durian originated from Kelantan and was popular in Gua Musang.

And he was proud to point out that Musang King found its fame in Karak and Raub in Pahang.

“Our natural environment here, the soil and natural water sources, are conducive for farming, especially for durian which we are famous for,” Ng said.

According to him, there are 200 plus durian species in Malaysia, and the popular ones include Musang King and D24.

“Musang King is so popular and pricey that people have likened it to gold. The price can go up to RM100 or more for a kilogram including the skin,” he said.

Ng added Musang King also has a distinct outer feature — less spiky thorns and a star fish or big star symbol at its base.

For Ng and his wife, being in the orchard amidst the trees is the perfect place to spend their weekends.

Their three children, a pharmacist, aeronautical engineer and doctor, work outside Bentong.

In fact, Ng and Chin whose hometowns are Teluk Intan and Ipoh respectively, have decided to call Bentong home.

They changed their mind about retiring in Ipoh despite buying a house there.

Chin, a retired teacher, hopes more people would go into organic farming especially because of its health benefits.

She is very passionate about organic farming and healthy eating.

“You can tell the difference once you taste organic produce,” she said.