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Jun 07, 2010

Nature Farming - Kuini

Kuini and machang are indigenous to Malaysia.  It's strong aroma and taste have obviously left an inedible mark on the psyche of the local people as evident from these lovely 'pantuns' that are reproduced and translated at this blog, here.

kuini fruits Web.JPG

kuini slice Web.JPG

You don't find many kuini (mangifera odorata) in the market.  Part of the reason is that the tree is not very productive as far as commercial farmers are concerned.  For the same amount of fertiliser, pesticides and labour, the production is significantly less for the kuini tree as compared to other commercial hybrid mangoes.

kuini trees in a row Web.JPG

Kuini trees in a row

pak din plucking Web.JPG

Pak Din plucking the fruits

Another reason is that the weevils love kuini and losses can be high, unless one really go the 'overkill' path and spray pesticides copiously.

At DQ Farm we use nature to help us.  And nature works 24/7 without rest.

red ants marching up trunk Web.JPG

Vicious red ants swarming entire trees from root to fruit, keeping the fruits free from weevils and other insects.

Red ants swarming a fallen fruit protecting it from insects:

Red Ants Protecting a fallen kuini Web.JPG

 buah macang buah kuini

masak sebiji dalam daun

mengapa begini hatiku ini

habis bulan berganti tahun

My translation:

the kuini the machang

fold one in leaves to ripen

this heart of mine, oh what's hidden

a year passes with each fading month