OVER 400 DURIAN FARMERS HIT HARD BY PEST INFESTATION

GUA MUSANG, Over 400 durian farmers around the Kesedar Sungai Terah Land Development Programme have incurred tens of thousands of ringgit in losses from pests like squirrels and monkeys. Businessman Mohd Johan Awang Chik, 55, reported that nearly 90 per cent of his durian crop was destroyed by pests last year. "Squirrels and monkeys target the trees, especially as the durians, including the Musang King variety, near ripeness. Farmers have also encountered wild boars and bears eating their crops," he said when met at his farm. The unchecked presence of these animals leads to hollow and unsellable durians. "I had to hire local Orang Asli to manage the pests because, without intervention, we won't be able to harvest any durians," he added. Mohd Johan hopes that government agencies like the Department of Agriculture and Perhilitan will step in to help resolve the issue. Another farmer, Mohd Rosdi Ayub, 54, believes the problem arises from animals being displaced from their natural habitats, leading them to invade rubber estates and orchards. "The attacks began last year and intensified in May with the start of the durian season," he said. Source: BERNAMA News Agency