Leveraging Weather Patterns Helps Growers Keep Watermelon Supply Steady

JASIN, May 5 (Bernama) -- Increasingly unpredictable weather is no longer a hindrance but has instead become an advantage for local watermelon growers, who are leveraging seasonal variations across the country to sustain year-round production.

Watermelon entrepreneur Koh Eng Koon said differences in rainfall patterns between the northern and southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia allow for staggered planting, thus preventing supply disruptions in the market.

“Based on my more than 30 years of experience in this field, I have observed that weather patterns in Malaysia shift from north to south. So when it starts raining in the northern states, I shift planting to areas in the south. We follow the weather, not fight it.

“Everyone knows the weather is becoming more extreme, but if we understand the patterns and plan planting properly, we can still maintain supply,” he told Bernama.

He said his years of experience in reading weather patterns have been a key advantage, noting that it took him between five and 10 years to fully understand seasonal trends in a given area before being able to plan planting more precisely.

In addition, he said the strategy of planting across multiple states ensures production remains unaffected while reducing the risk of losses due to extreme weather in any single location.

“So far, we have farms in almost all states except Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak. At each location, we limit planting to around 300 to 500 hectares. This way, if one area is affected, we still have other locations as a backup,” said Koh, who started with just four acres of land in Tiang Dua, Melaka, in the early 1980s.

In Melaka, he said the largest farm operated by his company, Koon Huat Agriculture, is located in Tebonglang here, covering up to 200 acres.

He added that through this strategy, his watermelon cultivation, particularly the Cinta Manis variety, now spans thousands of hectares nationwide, with a planting schedule of between 800 and 1,200 acres per month, enabling a continuous supply.

Daily production is estimated at between 250 and 350 tonnes, depending on weather conditions, with farm management carried out systematically, involving hundreds of workers and dozens of supervisors across the country.

At the same time, he said selecting seeds suited to the local climate has become a critical factor after various early trials failed to produce the desired quality.

“In the past, we tried many seeds, but they did not meet the required standards, such as having soft flesh or lacking sweetness, as most were not suitable for the local climate. Now we choose stable varieties that produce crunchy and sweet flesh, namely the Cinta Manis variety,” he said.

He added that each variety requires a different approach, including water and nutrient control as well as harvesting periods, to ensure optimal fruit quality, with some varieties harvested as early as 26 to 28 days after flowering.

On its potential, he said the sector offers vast opportunities, especially for the younger generation, as it can be developed into agro-tourism while also opening avenues in technology and continuous research.

“From seeds and fertilisers to pollination, all these aspects require the latest research, and I myself travel abroad to learn. So young people, in particular, should seize the opportunity to explore this field.

“The Department of Agriculture always supports those interested by providing various courses, programmes and grants,” he said.

-- BERNAMA