Wild rambai fruit becomes new income source for Malaysian farmers

In Jerantut, Malaysia, a fruit once relegated to feeding wildlife is now blossoming into a lucrative venture for local farmers. The wild rambai fruit, or Baccaurea motleyana, is gaining significant market traction, offering a new source of income.

Mohd. Isa Mat Daud, a 72-year-old farmer from Kampung Berau, Ulu Cheka, exemplifies this shift. He discovered the commercial value of the rambai hutan trees he planted four decades ago after being drawn to their abundant, reddish fruit in the wild Gunung Bongkok forest. Initially, he and his family consumed the fruit sparingly, with the rest going to waste due to a lack of market awareness.

"I brought home its seeds and tried planting them behind the house," Mohd. Isa shared. "Out of many seeds sown, only two trees survived and began bearing fruit after eight years." He noted the fruit's unique characteristic of bearing heavily only once every two years, but producing a substantial yield each season. The fruit ripens from green to a reddish hue.

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I brought home its seeds and tried planting them behind the house. Out of many seeds sown, only two trees survived and began bearing fruit after eight years.

The turning point came when a local fruit trader, Ramli Mustapha, visited Mohd. Isa's farm and recognized the commercial potential. Ramli, who has traded local fruits for 15 years, was excited to find rambai hutan and began selling it at RM5 per kilogram. "My assessment was not wrong, as customers bought this fruit as quickly as they did village rambai and langsat," he said.

Ramli encourages other farmers to cultivate more rambai hutan trees to preserve this rare fruit and diversify local produce. The fruit's sweet-sour taste and impressive yields are making it a sought-after commodity, transforming a forest dweller into a valuable crop.

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My assessment was not wrong, as customers bought this fruit as quickly as they did village rambai and langsat.