Durian whisperer Dickson Tai talks daily to orchard trees, nurturing Black Thorn for global glory

Jasin native Dickson Tai, at just 22 years old, is the third-generation custodian of his family's 5.6-hectare durian orchard in Tiang Dua, Malaysia. He inherited the responsibility of nurturing the legacy his grandfather began 35 years ago, as well as the other generations before him.

Tai spends each day tending to the trees, starting his routine early in the morning. He is well-versed in identifying various durian varieties and understands the unique needs of each tree, particularly for the premium Black Thorn and Musang King types. He claims that he speaks to the trees daily, sharing stories and caring for them like infants.

Running an orchard comes with numerous challenges, including managing fruit quality, diseases, market conditions, and export matters. Despite the pressures, Tai remains dedicated to the family business, which now includes wholesaling and exports. The orchard attracts farmers from Melaka who send their harvest to the family-run operation, which then facilitates the wholesale and export of durians to countries like China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Macau.