KANGAR: It's probably the only fruit in Malaysia capable of sparking a multimillion ringgit lawsuit and possibly the one that embodies the essence of an entire state.
The iconic Mangifera indica Linn, more commonly known as 'Harumanis Perlis', undoubtedly stands as the premier mango in the country, among the finest in Southeast Asia, if not globally.
According to veteran Harumanis farmer, Zainol Abidin Ahmad, 69, this upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season, the state's iconic fruit is poised to attract millions in interest.
He said the recent El Nino phenomenon, entailing one of the worst dry and hot conditions in the country's history, has paradoxically led to increased quantities and improved yields.
He attributed this to the unique nature of the fruit, which thrives only on a combination of rainy and sunny weather to produce top-quality fruits.
"Over the past several months, we have experienced extensive rain and harsh hot weather. It's tough for other plants, but Harumanis seemed to thrive from it," he said when met at his farm.
Zainol, whose yield more than tripled from 5,000 fruits last year to 17,000 this year, stressed that genuine Harumanis can only be nurtured in Perlis soil due to various factors.
"There are many theories, but my favorite suggests that the wind movement around this state, owing to its specific geographical position, produces the ideal air circulation for the fruits," he said.
Founder of Y.A. Harumanis Ladang Enterprise, Mohd Asri Yusoff, highlighted the mango's aroma, flavours, and natural sweetness, which transcend borders, drawing tourists from across Asia.
"The market for these mangoes surged in 2013 when they were introduced to the Japanese market, gaining recognition there where each fruit was sold for RM70.
"Since then, the fruit's popularity has soared, and everyone desires a taste," he added, offering Grade A variants for RM40 per kg, Grade B (RM35), Grade C (RM25), and Grade D (RM16).
Driven by his passion for the fruit, Asri, 57, has pioneered a range of Harumanis-inspired products, from mango-birds nest drinks to mango-flavoured milk.
As to why the mango flourishes exclusively in Perlis soil, he explained that scientific evidence indicated that Perlis' natural terrain boasts soil with the right pH level and mineral ratio.
""Many customers have attempted to grow these trees at home in other states. While they manage to grow them, getting them to bear fruit is very challenging, and if they do, the quality is nowhere near as good," claimed Asri, whose yield almost doubled this season.
Abdul Aziz Mustafa, a fully organic Harumanis farmer, insisted that the best Harumanis are those cultivated without any chemical assistance.
He said that producing such a variant is extremely difficult, but the payoff is a healthier, more nutritious, and tastier mango.
"I use only genuine organic fertilisers, absolutely no pesticides, and I do not add any preservatives to my fruits. While yields may be lower, the payoff is worth it," he said.
"In doing so, I employ more laborious techniques to protect my plants, such as burning coconut husks mixed with other natural ingredients to ward off pests," said Abdul Aziz, 64, who has 70 trees on his farm.
Anticipating a harvest of at least 5,000 fruits this season, Abdul Aziz urged the state government to seize the opportunity to promote Harumanis as part of the state's tourism goals for the year.
This year, the Harumanis Perlis season, which only happens once a year, begins as early as the third week of March and is expected to last until June.
On Feb 26, the media reported Perlis Agriculture Department has set a target of over 2,000 metric tonnes for this season's Harumanis mango harvest.