(From left) Siblings Muhammad Afiq Hashim, Nur Wahida Hashim and Muhammad Adib run the farm while pursuing PhDs. — Bernama
AIMING to raise the profile of the Harumanis mango, Muhammad Adib Hashim has accrued an amazing amount of knowledge about the fruit.
At just 29 years old, this farmer from Bukit Keteri, Perlis, has made it his ambition to make Harumanis products year-round.
Currently pursuing a doctorate in Civil Engineering at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam in Selangor, he still makes time to manage the mango orchard inherited from his late father Hashim Saad.
The third of five siblings is a veritable fountain of information about Harumanis.
Speaking to Bernama about the mango’s vegetative growth stage, uniqueness, research and by-product potential, Muhammad Adib said, “Perlis is a very fortunate state.
“Although the species (Mangifera Indica Linn) is found in other countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, its aroma here is unparalleled.
“In Perlis, there are three seasons, including a very hot season which ‘squeezes’ the fragrance out of the fruit.
“This fragrant extract can also be turned into by-products that we also make.”
His family’s farm is located in Chuping – Malaysia’s hottest spot where temperatures shoot up to 40.1˚C.
Muhammad Adib said pursuing a PhD required him to manage his time wisely, and he was grateful that his four siblings, who are also undertaking their PhD studies, were helping to manage the farm.
“Studying for my PhD has made me more systematic in my thinking process, in managing agricultural products and in the growing process, to ensure we can produce the best fruits and products.
“In my studies, I have done research related to engineering and also agriculture, specifically related to the Harumanis.
“This has helped us understand more about what the fruit needs, why it is healthy and why it gets sick,” said this farmer’s son who holds a Bachelor’s degree from Universiti Teknologi Petronas and a Master’s degree from UiTM Shah Alam.
His knowledge painstakingly gleaned from his late father is also shared through social media.
Many of his followers from Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei have expressed their wish to savour the fruit which has a very fine texture and is rich in vitamins A and C.
Alongside other Harumanis entrepre-neurs, Muhammad Adib is collaborating with UiTM Perlis to create products based on the mango, to generate additional income outside of the harvest season that occurs once a year from March to May.
He said this was done by incorporating the fragrance and sweetness of the fruit as an ingredient.
“We have now successfully produced several products such as green tea with Harumanis leaves, hair spray oil from its seeds and Harumanis dipping powder and yoghurt.
“This way, we create products that can sustain the business whole year round,” he said.
“There is research by UiTM Perlis and the state Agriculture Department, and there are related certificates to ensure the quality and safety of the products made,” he added.
Muhammad Adib believes this mango variety is worth its high price, given the hard work of the farmers in managing their orchards throughout the year.
Growing Harumanis involves tedious work in fertilisation, disease protection, soil liming, pruning, pollination spraying, fruit wrapping during hot seasons, harvesting, packaging and delivery, he said.
“Harumanis mangoes are hard to come by as it needs careful cultivation.
“The vegetative stage of the fruit tree is from June to January.
“It takes a lot of the farmers’ sweat and toil; their effort cannot be measured in monetary terms because this fruit needs utmost care,” he said.
Advising youths not to fear venturing into agriculture, he said working the land would definitely yield results.
“When we farm, we run the soil through the fingers, tread on the earth – it is therapy for our bodies and minds, making us feel more relaxed,” he shared.
Muhammad Adib, who also received training and assistance from Perlis Agriculture Department, suggested that more research on the fruit be conducted to commercialise it globally.
This would also raise awareness of the variety’s potential among younger cultivators, he said.
“My hope is that Malaysians will know how to enjoy Harumanis at the highest level; knowing the proper way of cutting the fruit so that the ‘manih leting’ (sweet) sensation can be fully experienced.”
