Durian to be grown at Wawin site

By MAZIE SELMBIA
WAWIN Farm has been chosen as the site for a durian-growing project under the Genesis Food Bowl programme.
Dr Chia Tet Fatt, a trained molecular geneticist, introduced the project for the durian fruit to the landowners of Wawin Farm in Lae recently.
“Wawin Farm will be the nuclear site or epicentre where we will grow Durian first and create seedlings to supply other centres,” he said.
Fatt said since durian was a low-land plant, Wawin Farm was the ideal place to grow it.
“Wawin farm is not only ideal for a durian farm but also in terms of being located close to the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport, making it easy to export.”
Dr Chia also stressed on the use of the miiiome technology that he created with the use of micro-biome to sustain food, health and nutrition.
“With the 21st century innovation of the Miiiome technology, we can plant the right variety of the durian fruit that will not need chemicals to fertilise it.
“It will get all the nutrients and fertilisation from the miiome that will be sprayed onto the soil before planting,” Dr Chia said.
Miiiome is the short form for microbiome and is defined as the combined genetic material of the microorganisms and the microbial cells, both living or otherwise occupying a defined habitat such as the human gut.
Miiiiome Technology is the frontier of microbial science and technology and has the ability to make significant breakthroughs in health and sustainability for the world. As such, Miiiome works closely with forward-looking and innovative commercial partners to deliver business solutions in a sustainable ecosystem.
Ken Elonaga, the Agriculture and Livestock Department programme adviser said Wawin Farm had been earmarked for the project.
“Despite many proposals by companies and investors for the Wawin farm, we always tell them that it is for the Durian project,’ says Elonaga.
He said more awareness would be done on the durian project as many were unfamiliar with the fruit.
The durian is the edible fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio.
There are 30 recognised Durio species, at least nine of which produce edible fruit.
Durio zibethinus, native to Borneo and Sumatra, is the only species available on the international market.