{
  "id": 2463705,
  "title": "At just 22, Dickson is managing a durian legacy older than he is",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/at-just-22-dickson-is-managing-a-durian-legacy-older-than-he-is",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-22T00:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/08/22/at-just-22-dickson-is-managing-a-durian-legacy-older-than-he-is"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At 22 years old, Dickson Tai is managing a durian legacy that predates him by decades. The Jasin-born entrepreneur is the third generation to tend a 5.6-ha orchard in Tiang Dua, Malaysia, a property established by his grandfather 35 years ago and later managed by his father. For Tai, these trees are more than just crops; they are a tangible connection to a family history he has grown up witnessing firsthand. \"When my grandfather first established the orchard, he perhaps never imagined that 35 years later, those same trees would be cared for by the third generation,\" Tai told Bernama.\n\nFrom a young age, Tai learned the trade by observing his grandfather and father work in the orchard, gradually assuming greater responsibilities. This early exposure has cultivated a profound understanding of the various durian varieties on the land and the specific care each tree requires, particularly during periods of disease or declining fruit quality. Not all durian trees demand equal attention. Common varieties like durian kahwin are relatively straightforward to manage, often requiring support nets during the fruiting season. However, premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn demand meticulous monitoring. Tai describes his approach to these high-value trees as akin to caring for babies, treating each one with individualized attention and daily conversation.\n\nDuring peak season, the family orchard can produce nearly a tonne of durians in a single morning, contingent on weather conditions, disease management, and overall fruit quality. Despite the demanding nature of the work, Tai acknowledges the responsibility can sometimes feel overwhelming. He recognizes that he is the latest in a lineage beginning with his grandfather, followed by his father, and now him. \"There are times when it feels quite overwhelming,\" he admits. \"But when I think about it, my grandfather started it, my father continued it, and now this responsibility has been passed on to me.\"\n\nLooking beyond traditional farming practices, Tai has expanded the family business to include wholesaling and exporting durians. This expansion now covers shipments to markets including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Macau. Durians from the family orchard and other Melaka farms are transported via air, with shipments reaching Hong Kong in approximately 12 hours and China in roughly 18 hours, ensuring the fruit arrives fresh for overseas buyers. Tai also aims to introduce more of Melaka's lesser-known durian varieties, such as D103 (Mimpi Cinta) and D2 (Datuk Nina), to international markets. Despite the expansion, Tai emphasizes that the business remains rooted in the same orchard he grew up watching flourish under his grandfather's and father's care.",
  "summary": "This Jasin entrepreneur cares for trees planted by his grandfather while taking the family business into new markets.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "At just 22, Dickson is managing a durian legacy older than he is",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/at-just-22-dickson-is-managing-a-durian-legacy-older-than-he-is-2464333",
        "published": "2026-08-22T00:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}