Latest news with #durian
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Chinese tourist gets charged S$200 cleaning fee for bringing durian into hotel, warns others
SINGAPORE: After a tourist from China ate a durian in a local hotel, she was allegedly slapped with a S$200 cleaning fee. The woman took to Xiaohongshu, widely regarded as China's equivalent to Instagram, earlier this week to warn others so that they don't end up making the same costly mistake. Commenters have said, however, that she should have known better in the first place, especially as signs abound saying that durians are not allowed in certain places, such as on public transport. The tourist, who goes by @ 幽蓝桑 (Blue Mulberry) on Xiaohongshu, posted a video on Monday (May 26). In it, she recounted that she and a friend had bought durian from a vendor's stall the day before. They could not eat the fruit at the stall, as there was no seating in the area. Therefore, after the vendor packed up the fruit in a styrofoam box, they took it back to the hotel to eat it there. On the taxi ride back to the hotel, the post author's friend remarked that she could smell the fruit, despite it being in the box. Out of concern for the taxi driver, 幽蓝桑 tied the plastic bag more tightly around the box. See also Exploring the New Wave of Luxury Hotels in Singapore The cabby said nothing about the smell, and the post author added that she was able to enjoy the fruit at the hotel later that night. The next day, after she returned to the hotel from a tour around Singapore, Ms. Fang discovered a letter that the hotel management had left in her room. She was informed that the housekeeping staff had detected the smell of durian in her room, for which the hotel would charge a S$200 cleaning fee. She said in her video that she and her friend were stunned at the charge and could hardly believe it. A screenshot of the letter from the hotel shows that it reads, 'Please be informed that our Housekeeper found durian smell in your room. We would like to gently inform you that a S$200 will be imposed for a cleaning fee.' 'S$200 is about 1,000 RMB,' she said in her video. She then went online to see whether others had been in her situation and found out that many people, like herself, were unaware that they were not allowed to bring durian into their hotel rooms. While she acknowledged to the staff that she had been wrong in bringing and eating durian into her room, she asked for a discount on the cleaning fee, having found out that other tourists had been successful in getting this fee waived. The hotel, however, stood firm, telling her they needed to engage professional cleaning services and that the room would not be usable for some days until the pungent smell of durian dissipated. She ended her video with a warning to tourists not to do as she did. Netizens, however, said that the tourist could have used some common sense. ' Tourist was not 'fined,' a cleaning fee of S$200 was imposed, to make the room ' stayable' for the next guest,' one wrote. ' Is she travelling for the first time? Other hotels in the region also prohibit durian in their rooms,' another asked. ' Upon arrival at Changi Airport, all passengers are greeted with clear visual signages and multimedia displays outlining key local laws—no smoking in prohibited areas, no durians in public transport or certain premises, no spitting, no littering, mandatory toilet flushing, and prohibition on chewing gum importation. These notices are available in English and supported by pictorial guides and multiple language translations. Additionally, most hotels display specific signs at their reception counters and in-room directories—often with a no durian icon clearly visible,' pointed out a commenter. /TISG Read also: Bill Gates spotted trying out durian during Singapore visit
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Malaysian State to Start Using Durian Tracking System to Curb Fraud, Report Says
Malaysia's state of Penang has urged its durian growers to register for a tracking system to curb the spread of counterfeit versions of the prickly, pungent fruit from June 1, according to Bernama. The state plans to make the 'Track and Trace' system mandatory for its 200 durian farmers as it seeks to restore consumer confidence in the fruit, State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee's Fahmi Zainol was cited as saying.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Durian farmers mull out-of-court settlement to shift focus on new land dispute
The Save Musang King Alliance said it is exploring the possibility of legal action against the new company which it alleges is encroaching the durian farmland. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) is considering an out-of-court settlement with Royal Pahang Durian Resources (RPD) to redirect its resources against a new company accused of taking over farmland. Samka president Wilson Chang claimed that a newly established firm has occupied farms without consent, evicted farmers, tagged trees, and refused to present any legal documents showing authorised operations. 'There is strong reason to believe that the firm intends to harvest durians during this season and profit from the hard work of local farmers, without any compensation,' he said in a statement. Chang said the group and its lawyers are exploring the possibility of legal action against the company to stop their actions and protect the farmers' rights. 'We reaffirm our core belief that the land is the lifeblood of our farmers, and that every tree represents years of hard labour and care. No corporation should be allowed to exploit this without consequence,' he said. He claimed that the new firm may be targeting control of some 2,400ha of farmland, exceeding the area previously contested with RPD. The trees and potential harvest involved are believed to be worth more than RM100 million. Chang said records from the Companies Commission of Malaysia showed that the company's directors are from Penang and Sarawak, and that the firm is less than a year old. He questioned how such a large tract of land could be granted to outsiders and called on the Pahang government to explain. He said that while talks with RPD have not fully met the farmers' demands, there has been 'meaningful progress' after five years of resistance by Musang King durian farmers in Raub. 'Among the gains are better pricing terms, including an increase in the price of Grade A durians from RM30 per kg in 2020 to RM35 today, and clearer grading standards to ensure fairer payments to farmers,' he said. He said negotiations with RPD are ongoing, and the alliance respects the decision of farmers who choose not to register with the firm. Last month, Pahang ruler Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah emphasised that state land must not be arbitrarily encroached upon, and called for firm action against those involved. He also called for an amicable resolution, with all shortcomings addressed in a harmonious manner.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vietnam's Durian Farmers Power Up with XAG Drones to Boost Efficiency
MY THO, Vietnam, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid Vietnam's "durian gold rush," farmers are turning to smart agri-tech, notably XAG agricultural drones, to stay ahead. In the Mekong Delta, where durian exports have soared to $3.3 billion, growers use drones to cut costs, improve yields, and work more safely, adapting quickly to the demands of this booming fruit market. Few understand these shifting tides better than Nguyễn Văn Hường, a lifelong farmer in Tiền Giang province. At 64, Hường and his wife manage more than 300 durian trees, along with 250 jackfruit and coconut trees, on a four-hectare farm. "Selling durians is like selling a house," he says, noting that a single mature durian tree can yield nearly 100 kg of fruit a year and earn him 15 to 16 million VND. Hường's real edge, though, comes from his willingness to embrace innovation—a trait that traces back decades. "I was the first here to buy a backpack sprayer 50 years ago," he recalls proudly, believing firmly that "technology brings profits." Today, that same forward-thinking spirit once again sets Hường apart as a local pioneer, helping him tackle challenges and stay ahead of the curve. Standing confidently in his lush orchard with a remote control in hand, Hường now relies on the XAG P150 agricultural drone—a tool that has completely changed his approach to crop protection. Before, he would row his boat between the trees, stand near each trunk, and reach up with a long-handled sprayer to coat the highest branches, which often failed to cover thoroughly and left him exhausted. "On windy days, chemicals would get on my head and in my eyes," he explains. By late 2024, motivated to "protect health and change traditional agriculture," Hường invested in the drone, making the plant protection process safer, more efficient, and far less labor-intensive. It took him just three days to learn how to operate the drone, and now he manages every aspect of pesticide spraying with only a few taps on the screen. The impact was immediate. Hường estimates that the P150's intelligent RevoSpray system cuts water use per spray from 3,000 to just 800 liters, and what once took two tiring days now finishes in just three hours. Equipped with a 70-liter smart liquid tank and rotary atomization nozzles, the drone can spray evenly and thoroughly, sending droplets deep into the canopy where pests lurk and manual spraying can't reach. "It used to be dizzying wearing a mask and spraying by hand, but now I can keep my distance and let the drone handle it more accurately," Hường says. The financial impact is also expected to be substantial. "Using drones for spraying can reduce my overall costs by about one-third. With expenses down and our work made easier, the profits would be higher," he proudly exclaims. Last season, nearly one billion VND in revenue came from just 100 mature durian trees, thanks to higher yields and the export surge. Hường's experience reflects a wider movement. According to a study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the adoption of agricultural drones in Southeast Asia led to yield increases of up to 20% and a 30% reduction in pesticide use. For Vietnamese smallholders in regions like the Mekong Delta, adopting such technologies isn't just about profit, it's also about keeping pace with rising global expectations and unpredictable weather. Word of Hường's success has spread in the community. "If anyone asks, I'm happy to share my experience. This drone is almost fully autonomous and delivers much better spraying quality. Its automatic return-to-home function is especially convenient," he says. "I'm really satisfied with this drone." From the days of hauling heavy sprayers through his orchard to now guiding a drone above bountiful trees, Hường embodies the evolution of Vietnamese farming—proving that with the right tools and openness to change, small family farms can still thrive in an increasingly competitive world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE XAG
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang durians to get new track-and-trace system
GEORGE TOWN, May 22 — A new track-and-trace system will soon be introduced to monitor durian output in Penang, with tags attached to the fruit for greater transparency. Penang Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the system, developed in collaboration with MIMOS Sdn Bhd, will be rolled out from June 1 to coincide with the start of the durian season. 'This is a smart platform that was developed after we received complaints from local operators on fraud and exploitation by other irresponsible parties,' he said during his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly. Later, he told reporters the track-and-trace system will offer end-to-end visibility from farms to retailers. 'There were many durian sellers from other states who claimed their durians are from Balik Pulau, Penang and this has affected our own local durian sellers,' he said. He added that some sellers were passing off imported durians from Thailand as Penang produce, which had negatively impacted local durian stalls and farms. This prompted the state government to introduce the system. The platform will allow real-time tracking of the origin, certification, and status of each durian, ensuring authenticity and transparency for consumers. 'This system will support verification of product certifications so there is quality assurance and transparency,' he said. He added that the system would also improve efficiency, ensure compliance with local regulations, and build consumer trust in local durian sellers. 'This is also in line with the state's efforts to strengthen the durian industry and protect the interests of local durian producers,' he said. Penang will be the first state in Malaysia to implement such a system to monitor its durian industry, although a similar system is already in use in Thailand. On durian exports, Fahmi said Penang exported a total of 67,203 kilograms of durians last year, a slight dip of 467 kilograms compared to 67,670 kilograms in 2023. He attributed the drop in exports to hot weather, which reduced yields last year. 'The higher demand for Penang durians domestically has also affected the total exports,' he said. Still, he noted that demand for Malaysian durians remained strong, boosted by the MyGAP certification, which is recognised by countries including China. 'The main countries that import durians from Malaysia are China and Singapore,' he said. Musang King (D197) and Black Thorn (orchee/D200) remain the two most popular export varieties. Penang durian producers have also continued to develop new cultivars, with two new varieties — Kim Long (D230) and Cenderawasih (D229) — registered in 2023. Asked whether the late start to this year's season would affect supply, he said the main harvest period remains between June and July, with some farms experiencing shorter seasons between December and January. 'State durian producers remained committed in ensuring adequate supply and that their farms always comply with MyGAP certification in terms of productivity and this will not impact the export market,' he said. He added that other states, such as Kedah and Perak, also contribute to the export of popular varieties like Black Thorn and Musang King. 'We have Penang farmers who have started durian farms in Perak and Kedah too,' he said.
