During the fruit development stage, durian growers face their ultimate “nightmare,” including attacks from fruit borers, mealybugs, and sooty mold. This period is especially critical during starch accumulation before sugar conversion, a decisive phase for fruit quality. A single pest infestation can ruin produce carefully cultivated all year, making it unmarketable. Consequently, many growers rely on intensive chemical spraying. This practice not only raises production costs but also increases the risk of chemical residues, which could lead to export rejections and severely damage both reputation and income.
To tackle these issues, a research team at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) developed an innovation that could significantly transform durian farming: the “Magik Growth” durian wrapping bag. This product targets growers aiming for export-quality standards and looking to upgrade their orchards for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). It particularly benefits those who seek durians with clean, attractive skin without applying chemical sprays directly to the fruit.
This innovation uses specially engineered nonwoven fabric technology that efficiently allows water and air to circulate while providing superior protection against insect pests. What distinguishes Magik Growth from traditional fruit bags is its “selective light spectrum” technology, which filters out harmful wavelengths and allows only the beneficial red wavelengths to pass through. As a result, the durian fruits gain more weight, develop a cleaner and more attractive rind, and produce noticeably deeper yellow flesh.
The success of this innovation is reinforced by feedback from growers who have adopted it in real-world applications. They found that the bags not only produce premium-quality durians that command higher market prices but also reduce costs for chemical inputs and labor. The result is safer produce that is highly sought after in stringent export markets.
Confidence in this Thai innovation was further boosted when the “Magik Growth” durian wrapping bag, developed by Dr. Natthaphop Suwannamek and his research team, received the NRCT Quality Achievement Award 2026 from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). The award was presented at Inventors’ Day 2026, held at BITEC Bangna, serving as strong recognition that this innovation is not only practical but also delivers significant economic benefits to the country.
Regarding concerns about cost-effectiveness, although the initial price is about 35 to 40 baht per bag, each bag can be reused for up to three production cycles, making it cost-effective investment for durian orchards focused on quality.
For more information, please contact the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) at Tel. +66 2 564 6500 or visit www.mtec.or.th.
