MARCH-APRIL . 2024 | @ AGROBiz

Loh with Behn Meyer Malaysia Area Manager , Yeo Jean How .

Early stages of crop production .

Rock melons at the farm .

What started as a challenging endeavour has become a successful venture through perseverance , learning and strategic partnerships .

Loh ’ s experience sheds light on the intricate processes involved in rock melon farming . Initially , due to crop diseases , there was no harvest for the first one and a half years . He sought guidance from experienced friends and learned essential techniques to manage the farm effectively .

“ Farm hygiene is essential before planting . By following a strict schedule , you can ensure optimal growth conditions for the seeds ,” Loh explained , emphasising the importance of healthy seeding , timely fertilisation , and accurate insecticide application to combat diseases and pests effectively .

“ As the plants grow , pruning becomes crucial to maintain healthy growth and promote fruit bearing .

“ It is significant to follow the process of proper flowering and pruning of the lateral shoot , as the plants need to receive their adequate nutrients for robust fruit production .”

THE APPEAL OF ROCK MELONS

Transitioning from chilli farming to rock melons proved advantageous for Loh .

“ When I was a chilli farmer , my crop production went down the drain . Harvesting took three months , and I lacked the manpower needed .”

“ Rock melon , on the other hand , was an effortless switch as you only need a single harvest with minimal labour needs .”

Loh believes that the consistent demand and stable pricing made rock melons an attractive agricultural choice .

Transitioning from chilli farming to rock melons proved advantageous

Loh with his rock melon .

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Despite its advantages , rock melon farming does present challenges .

He explained : “ Manpower retention remains a concern , with workers often unable to sustain long-term commitments . Plus , we have whiteflies , which are big pests as they often destroy crops when they are young- about two weeks old or so ”.

Loh said the two other diseases which are a damage to crop yield were :

• Gummy stem blight - An amber to reddish-brown exudate ( ooze ) develops on the stem cankers ( lesions ), giving rise to the name “ gummy stem blight .” Early stages of stem infections typically do not result in the demise of mature plants . However , affected vines may experience wilting three to four weeks after infection , generally after fruit set .

• Downy mildew - Due to the spore masses that disseminate the disease , these develop an angular shape and enlarge to a diameter of 1 cm . They evolve from yellow to brown , while

BM Horticare ' s product .

beneath they become grey with a faint downy sheen . Existing fruits are then exposed to sunburn as infected leaves wither and expire , vines defoliate , and fruit set ceases . “ This is especially likely when the fruit is still on the tree . The disease attack is terrible . To fix this , you must do regular checks and spray fungicides .”

LEVERAGING HORTICARE FOR SUCCESS

When the challenges became too difficult to handle , Loh turned to Behn Meyer , a renowned fertiliser supplier with several successful products .

He used BM Horticare , a water treatment solution that sterilises water microorganisms while supplying oxygen to plant roots , promoting their overall health and vitality .

BM Horticare is known for its incredible ability to kill pathogens and double the amount of dissolved oxygen in irrigation water and keep it at that level . It stops anaerobic oxygen levels from building up , which could cause toxic nitrite , making it easier for nitrogen to be turned into chemicals that plants can use .

The adaption of Behn Meyer ’ s products led to a substantial increase in honest yields and effective disease control , demonstrating the importance of reliable agricultural inputs in Loh ’ s farm .

“ I feel lucky to have stumbled upon Behn Meyer and have been successfully working with them for the past season now .

“ For those first one and a half years , harvest was bare to none but since incorporating their product , there have been regular improvements to my crop ,” Loh said .

NAVIGATING FUTURE EXPANSION

Looking ahead , he envisions expansion , contingent upon market dynamics post-MCO . With a target of doubling the crop population to 10,000 , Loh remains optimistic about future growth opportunities .

“ Harvesting takes approximately 65 days . And , while the heat in Malaysia is awful right now , this is ideal growing weather . Fortunately , rock melons thrive in high temperatures .”

“ As of now , I can proudly say we have 5,000 trees , and I aim to take advantage of the market opportunities given to me and double those numbers , putting the farm ’ s commitment to continuous improvement first ,” he said optimistically .

From overcoming initial challenges to embracing sustainable practices and fostering growth , Mr Loh ’ s Rock Melon Farm is a testament to the fusion of traditional wisdom with innovative solutions , shaping a prosperous and sustainable future for agricultural endeavours . – @ AGROBiz