‘Durian fest better than durian dumping’

PETALING JAYA: With an expected good and bountiful harvest this season, a budding agropreneur is adamant not to let his durians go to waste.

Instead of waiting for orders and customers, Loke Kah Peng decided to hold a festival.

“Recently, I read that some vegetable farmers dumped their produce in large quantities, leaving it to rot due to a glut in supply.

“To avoid facing the same situation, I decided to hold a mega sales event dubbed ‘Back 2 Back Eat All You Can Durian Festival’,” he said in an interview.

Loke said the festival would enable customers to eat premium varieties of durian for up to one hour for a nominal fee.

He said that for each paying customer, an accompanying child below 12 could eat for free.

Among the varieties available are D24, Super XO, D13, D99, 101, Udang Merah, Kampung Kahwin and even premium Musang King.

Other seasonal fruits such as rambutans and mangosteens will also be served.

“This is a win-win situation for all parties as we expect a good harvest, which will peak in June and July.

“With the current heatwave, some people may also cut down on durians, leaving the market with more supply than demand,” he said.

Loke, who gets his supply from farms in Raub, Balik Pulau and Tangkak, said the festival will kick off in three major cities – Komtar Walk, George Town on May 27 and 28; IPC, Mutiara Damansara (June 3 and 4); and The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Baru (July 1 and 2).

He said if response is good, he will consider expanding it to other areas.

The 44-year-old started his fruit and fish business following the Covid-19 pandemic.