SUNGAI PETANI, 3 April 2018:
Harusani Saari – who started gardening as a hobby – did not expect that his attempt to grow strawberries will result in a bountiful harvest and his farm will become the talk of the town, after news on his 1.5-acre plot in Semeling went viral on social media.
Harusani, 33, said the farm named ‘Laman Fig Suhanis’ started off about four years ago with fig trees – before he came up with the idea of growing strawberries at intervals, with the fig trees which were already bearing fruits.
“For a start we bought 100 strawberry seedlings from Klang, Selangor, and sought views and advice from agricultural officers. As the seedlings and shoots started to grow beautifully, we bought more seedlings and now we have thousands of strawberry trees which are now fruiting.
“The sourish-sweet taste of the fruits is comparable to the fruits grown in Cameron Highlands. Strawberry trees are easy to maintain, can be exposed in the sun even if the climate here is not cold and the trees have relatively few insect and disease problems.
“ However they must be watered and fertilised properly.”
Harusani said his family was surprised the farm – which was previously visited by family members, neighbours and close friends only – received so many visitors after news on the farm was shared by netizens on social media since mid-March.
“We do not know who started it but we are thankful to them. At first we were surprised and were not prepared to receive so many visitors. At one point, we had 2,000 visitors in one day.”
Initially he said visitors were allowed to pick their fruits. But when the visitors came at a time when there were no fruits, they realised they had to do something about it.
“Eventually it was decided that no fee will be imposed for visits and photography sessions but there will be sale of strawberries (RM15/300g), seedlings (RM30-RM50 depending on size) as well as sale of strawberry ice cream, cupcakes, chocolate strawberries, and strawberry juice.”
Harusani added that he has a bigger fig and strawberry farm in Bujang to ensure constant supply of strawberries for visitors to Laman Fig Suhanis.
“However, only Laman Fig Suhanis is opened to visitors from 9am to 7pm daily. Before news on the farm went viral, sale of fruits was around 50kg per day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. But now we sell between 80kg and 100kg on these days.
Harusani also advised those interested in farming to be persistent and patient and not to give up easily. “You need to put in a lot of effort, have patience and trust that you will succeed but above all you must have the interest.”
– Bernama