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TENOM: The Sabah Agriculture Park (TPS) here is set to introduce a durian orchard as part of its agrotourism initiative within the next two to three years.

TPS agriculture officer Nur Edna Hasreena Ahlun said visitors would have the opportunity to sample the premium durian varieties grown at the orchard once it opens.

“They include Musang King, Black Thorn, Musang Queen 168, Asfa50, Mdur88 and udang merah,” she told Bernama.

She said the orchard, covering approximately 32 hectares, currently houses young trees aged between five and six years, which have not yet produced a significant harvest.

Elaborating on TPS, Nur Edna Hasreena said it spans 194 hectares and attracts around 10 per cent of international visitors annually, primarily from China and Europe.

“These visitors include fruit lovers who enjoy easy access to a variety of fruits without the need to explore the forest,” she said, adding that the park boasts a collection of over 1,500 types of fruits and plants.

In addition to fruits, the park is a popular destination for orchid lovers, housing one of Malaysia’s largest collections of lowland orchids, with about 350 varieties.

Nur Edna Hasreena said that TPS surpassed its visitor target last year, welcoming 17,000 visitors compared to the 15,000 initially targeted.

To meet this year’s target, the park organised the TPS Flora and Indigenous Fruits Festival 2024 from Aug 26 until Sept 1, attracting over 4,000 visitors who participated in various activities such as an E-sport competition, an agro talk and agrotours on fruit propagation, compost production and stingless bee farming.

Located about 18 kilometres from Tenom town, TPS charges RM10 for adult admission and RM5 for children. A minibus service is available to transport visitors around the park.