Shaping pathways of the Musang King and Black Thorn in the Penang Island durian industry

Abstract

ABSTRACT A quick Google search about Penang durians will immediately showcase a diversity of durian varieties like Red Prawn, Green Skin, and Khun Poh, in the Penang durio-tourism industry. Durio-tourism attracted tourists making Penang Island a hub where tourists could have a farm-to-table experience by learning the art of tasting durian varietals. This connoisseuring focus differs sharply from the situation encountered in durian plantations in other states in Malaysia which focus predominantly on producing and exporting two premium durians to China, Musang King and Black Thorn. However, this paper argues that Penang durian farmers are less committed to diversity than they are committed to ‘following the wind’. In-depth semi-structured interviews with durian farmers, sellers, tour guides and the Penang Department of Agriculture found that durian farmers had been grafting their durian trees to these premium varieties since the 1990s. Using practice theory, this paper explores the rationale of Penang Island durian farmers and agropreneurs’ practices as they ‘follow the wind’. These farmers’ practices grew alongside the structural availability of transportation mobility and governmental plans which led the farmers to create a vibrant and responsive community as they catered to various consumers and markets in the ever-changing landscape of the durian industry.