By Henrylito D. Tacio

MAKE way for the most exotic -- if not controversial! - fruit found on this part of the globe: durian. "Durian has an excellent taste that its flavor surpasses all the other fruits in the world," old traveler Linchott, writing in 1599, commented. Dr. Paladanus, a world-renowned historian, added: "This fruit is of a Hot and humid nature. It smells like rotten onion, but once tasted, everybody will like it." To which British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace agreed. After a visit with the Interior of Borneo in 1855, he observed the offensive smell of durian in the house; some persons did not even attempt to taste it. "This was also my own experience when I first tried to taste it in Malacca; but in Borneo, I found a ripe fruit on the ground, and eating it out-of-doors, I become confirmed durian eater." In recent years, there is an increasing demand for durian in the export market. It is called as "exotic tropical fruit" in North America and Europe where customers offer premium price. In the past, durian production areas are concentrated in Mindanao. Today, however, durian is being grown in other parts of the country, including Southern Tagalog and Western Visayas. There are several varieties of durian grown in the Philippines. The Most important ones, commercial-wise, according to the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, are 'Chanee,' 'Mon Thong,' 'Alcon Fancy,' "Arancillo,' 'Atabrine,' 'Duyaya,' "GD 69,' "Lacson Uno,' 'Mamer,' and 'Puyat.' Dr. Pablito Pamplona, one of the country's experts on durian, says that only the Thai varieties - 'Chanee' and 'Mon Thong' - are highly acceptable in the export market "owing to their milk odor and higher percentage of edible portion." He warns not to plant 'Chanee' in areas with expected heavy rains during harvest months. "Chanee has a very erratic fruit quality when the harvest coincides with the rainy season," he explains. Growing durian as a single crop entails considerable expense to growers during the first three years. As such, experts from the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. recommend growing other crops and fruits. "While waiting for the durian trees to bear fruits, farmers can plant vegetables, legumes, and root crops as initial source of income," suggests Roy Alimoane, MBRLC director. Benjamin Lao, owner of the Lao Integrated Farm in Barangay Eman, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, went even further by planting other fruits. In the beginning, he planted 700 durians in his five-hectare farm. Later on, he added other fruits - mangosteen, rambutan, and lanzones - and also raised goats. He uses the manure as fertilizer for his fruit trees. Six years after, Lao's farm has become a model and earned its owner. The Gawa Saka Award (integrated farming system category) from the municipal agriculture office. "What I want to convey here is that government service is never a hindrance to engage in other income- generating activities, like farming," said Lao, who is with the Bureau of Immigration in Davao City. Durian fruit is generally eaten fresh. The ripe pulp is a good source of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and some protein. The ripe pulp can also be made into jam, preserve (often packed like long sausages), candies, and other sweets.