GUA MUSANG, July 24 — 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 trees, especially durian including the Musang King variety, when it is near ripe. Farmers have also encountered wild boar and bears eating their crops,” he said when met at his farm.
The unchecked presence of these animals leads to hollow, unsellable durians.
Johan hoped government agencies like the Agriculture Department and the Peninsular Malaysia Wildlife and National Parks Department would step in.
Another farmer, Mohd Rosdi Ayub, 54, believes the problem is due to animals being displaced from their natural habitats, leading them to invade rubber estates and orchards.
“The attacks began last year and intensified in May at the start of the durian season,” he said.
— Bernama
