Despite pursuing a PhD in civil engineering at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam, this lad from Bukit Keteri, Perlis, does not shy away from managing the Harum Manis orchard he inherited from his late father Hashim Saad.
In an interview with Bernama recently, the third of five siblings enthusiastically shared information about Harum Manis, from the vegetative growth stage to the uniqueness of the harvested fruit and its potential by-products.
“Perlis is a very fortunate state,” he said. “Although the Harum Manis species ‘Mangifera Indica Linn’ is found in other countries such as Sumatra, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, the aroma here is unparalleled.
“There are three seasons in Perlis, including a very hot season that ‘squeezes’ the fragrance out of the fruit. This fragrant extract can be turned into by-products that we also produce.”
While pursuing a PhD requires him to manage his time wisely, he is grateful that his four siblings – all doctoral scholars – help out on their farm in Chuping: the hottest spot in Malaysia, where temperatures shoot up to 40.1°C.
“Studying for my PhD has made me more systematic in my thinking, in managing our agricultural products and the growing process, to ensure we produce the best fruits and products.
“In my studies, I have done research related to engineering as well as agriculture, specifically Harum Manis, which has helped us understand more deeply what the fruit needs, why it is healthy or why it gets sick,” he said.
Adib also shares his knowledge of Harum Manis, gleaned from his father, through his TikTok account ‘Adib Harum Manis’. According to him, many of his followers – especially those from Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei – have expressed their desire to taste the fruit, which is high in vitamins A and C and has a very fine texture.
Additionally, he and other Harum Manis entrepreneurs are collaborating with UiTM Perlis to create mango-based products to generate additional income beyond the fruit’s production season, which typically occurs from March to May.
This is done by incorporating the fragrance and sweetness of the fruit as one of the ingredients in other products, explained Adib, who sells Harum Manis for around RM100 per kg.
“We have now successfully created products such as green tea with Harum Manis leaves, hairspray oil from Harum Manis seeds, Harum Manis dipping powder, and yoghurt.”
‘Manih leting’
Adib, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Universiti Teknologi Petronas and a master’s degree from UiTM Shah Alam, said although many quip that the price of the fruit requires buyers to have deep pockets, he believes it is worth it given the hard work of farmers in managing their orchards throughout the year.
“Harum Manis isn’t easy to cultivate. Farmers produce Harum Manis from June to January. They sweat and toil; their effort cannot be measured in monetary terms because this fruit needs to be treated with the utmost care,” he noted.
He also hopes the younger generation will not hesitate to venture into agriculture. “When we farm, we run the soil through our fingers, we tread on the earth… it is therapy for our bodies and minds,” he said.
Adib, who has received training and assistance from the Perlis agriculture department, suggested that more research on the fruit be conducted to commercialise it internationally and raise awareness of its potential among younger generations of cultivators.
“My hope is that Malaysians will know how to enjoy Harum Manis at the highest level, including the proper way of cutting the fruit so that the ‘manih leting’ (sweet sensation) can truly caress the throat.”
Follow ‘Adib Harum Manis’ on TikTok.