Many durian farmers still follow traditional methods because they seem easier or cheaper at first. But these old methods often waste resources, reduce fruit quality, and cost you profits. Here’s how:
❌ Mistake 1: Flood or Sprinkler Irrigation
Flooding or using sprinklers feels quick and easy, but it’s actually wasting your water and money. Durian roots grow shallow—only 0-45 cm below the soil surface. Water that’s not delivered directly to this root zone is simply lost.
What Happens:
- Too much water: Causes root rot and fungal diseases, weakening your trees and reducing yields.
- Too little water: Results in small fruit and poor quality, losing market value and profits.
Common Example: Farmers in Thailand faced an 18% drop in durian production in 2024 due to drought. In Indonesia, broken irrigation pumps and erratic watering caused slow tree growth and lower fruit production. Farmers using guesswork instead of precise irrigation were hardest hit.
❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Pest and Disease Control
Durian farms often face serious pests and diseases. Fruit borers, trunk beetles, monkeys, and fungal diseases (like Phytophthora root rot) attack weak trees, causing heavy losses.
What Happens:
- Fruit Damage: Fruit borers and wildlife leave fruits hollow and unsellable.
- Sudden Tree Death: Fungal diseases can quickly kill healthy-looking trees, destroying your entire harvest.
Common Example: In Malaysia, over 400 durian farmers lost up to 90% of their Musang King harvest in 2024 due to wildlife attacks and fungal diseases.
❌ Mistake 3: Labour Shortages & Missed Tasks
Durian farming is highly labour-intensive. Hiring reliable workers is increasingly difficult and costly, especially during peak times.
What Happens:
- Delayed Tasks: Critical jobs like pruning, fertilising, and spraying get missed or delayed.
- Reduced Quality and Yield: When trees aren’t cared for properly, fruit size and quality suffer greatly, leading to lower market prices.
Common Example: In rural Thailand and Indonesia, labour shortages meant durian farms faced slower growth, smaller fruits, and lower overall profits, despite high demand and good market prices.
❌ Mistake 4: Relying Too Much on Middlemen
Many farmers depend completely on middlemen, limiting their control over prices and profits. Sudden price drops or quality rejection can devastate your income.
What Happens:
- Lower Profits: Middlemen take large cuts, leaving farmers earning much less.
- Market Vulnerability: Sudden price swings, like export bans, can quickly ruin your year’s earnings.
❌ Mistake 5: Limited Technical Knowledge & Resources
Many farmers follow traditional methods without realising that durian cultivation has advanced greatly. Not knowing modern techniques (like precise irrigation and soil management) directly hurts your yield.
What Happens:
- Guesswork: Applying fertiliser and water based on tradition rather than soil needs leads to waste and inefficiency.
- Reduced Competitiveness: Traditional farming techniques make it hard to achieve premium quality durians consistently.
✅ Simple Checklist: Fix These Mistakes Today
These common mistakes hold back your durian orchard from reaching its full potential. The good news is, by making just a few smart changes, you can drastically improve your results:
Use this practical checklist to start improving your durian farm immediately:
- Check Irrigation:
☐ Stop using flood/sprinkler irrigation.
☐ Use drip irrigation to water directly to the root zone (0-45 cm depth). - Control Pests & Diseases:
☐ Regularly inspect trees for pests (fruit borers, beetles) and diseases (fungal root rot).
☐ Schedule timely pesticide and fungicide sprays (don’t wait until trees look sick!). - Labour Management:
☐ Identify peak season tasks ahead of time (pruning, spraying, harvesting).
☐ Plan early and consider automation tools (e.g., drip irrigation, drones) to overcome labour shortages. - Market Control:
☐ Start exploring direct selling channels or cooperatives (reduce dependence on middlemen).
☐ Understand export quality requirements clearly (fruit size, taste, chemical residues). - Technical Knowledge:
☐ Get a quick soil test done at least twice a year (no more fertiliser guesswork).
☐ Join farmer networks and training programs to learn new methods regularly.
- Check Irrigation:
Following this simple checklist can help you avoid common pitfalls, boost your durian quality, and increase profits.
Ready to Grow Better Durians and Earn More?
Our experts at Jebsen & Jessen and Netafim have helped hundreds of durian farmers like you transform their orchards. We’ll give you clear, practical advice tailored specifically to your farm, so you can start growing bigger, healthier, and sweeter durians immediately.
👇 Take your first step:
[Talk to Our Durian Irrigation Expert Today]
Discover exactly how simple improvements can mean higher yields, better quality fruit, and increased profits—season after season.
