What started as a home grape-growing hobby has developed into a commercial cultivation project in Malaysia, with grapes from the venture recently presented to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during the official birthday celebration on June 1.
Mohammad Dzarul Hakim Dol Malek, 31, said the grapes were presented after Amanda Puteri Garden, which he operates with his mother Maizah Jalil, 59, and father Dol Malek Md Sap, 61, in Masjid Tanah, collaborated with entrepreneur Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew. The grapes were grown at Lee’s residence in The Mines, Seri Kembangan, Selangor.
According to Mohammad Dzarul Hakim, the collaboration aims to commercialise grape cultivation on approximately 20 hectares in Rasa, Selangor, while contributing to efforts to reduce Malaysia’s reliance on imported grapes.
“The grapes have also been presented to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, and the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah,” he told Bernama.
The family’s involvement in grape production began as a landscaping hobby in 2002. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they expanded activities and developed a 1.2-hectare orchard in Kuala Sungai Baru Hilir, Masjid Tanah, into an agro-tourism venture.
“To help my parents realise their dream, I quit my job as an accountant in Kuala Lumpur to fully focus on this venture.”
He said each rain shelter structure contains more than 1,000 grapevines and can produce 100 kilograms of grapes per harvest, with three harvest seasons annually.
The operation cultivates the Jupiter grape variety, which is slightly oval-shaped and turns blackish red when ripe. According to Mohammad Dzarul Hakim, the variety has a flavour profile combining lychee, mango, and passion fruit.
He also noted that Malaysia’s climate can support grape cultivation throughout the year.
“Many people mistakenly believe grapes can only be grown in four-season countries, when in fact they originate from the Middle East, which has a hot and dry climate.
“Even in four-season countries, grapes only bear fruit in summer, making Malaysia’s year-round warm climate actually very suitable for cultivation,” he said.
However, he noted that cultivation requires attention to fertilisation and pest management due to hot and humid conditions.
“When humidity is high, grapevines are prone to fungal infections, but spraying certain pesticides every two weeks can help suppress the growth of these parasites,” he added.
Source: Bernama