ABOUT DFF
Discover the story behind Desaru Fruit Farm — from a humble 45-acre orchard to one of Desaru's most established agricultural destinations.
THE FOUNDER STORY
Desaru Fruit Farm began with a simple dream — a dream built on perseverance, family, and a deep belief in creating something meaningful for future generations.
Our story begins with our founder, Richard Er, whose journey was shaped by hard work from a very young age. Born into a humble family as the ninth of eleven children, Richard began working at just 12 years old to help support his family.
From selling ice cream and working as a rubber tapper to learning the craft of tailoring, his early years taught him resilience, determination and the value of hard work — values that would later become part of the foundation of Desaru Fruit Farm.
Richard ErFounder, Desaru Fruit Farm
OUR JOURNEY
During a family trip to Thailand, Richard and his wife, Alice Thong, visited a plantation.
That visit sparked an idea.
What if the family could build a plantation of their own?
After returning to Malaysia, Richard began searching for suitable land.
Eventually, Richard found a modest 45-acre orange orchard in Desaru.
In 1994, the lease was signed.
And that was the beginning of Desaru Fruit Farm.
The family gradually expanded the farm, introducing tropical fruits including rose apples, jackfruit, guava and many others.
In 2001, Richard introduced the Desaru Fruit Farm Tour, opening the farm to visitors who wanted to learn more about tropical fruits and agriculture.
Instead of simply producing fruit, Desaru Fruit Farm became a place where people could see, learn, taste and experience agriculture first-hand.
Today, the next generation continues that journey — preserving the agricultural roots of Desaru Fruit Farm while creating new experiences for the future.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
One umbrella and a few baskets of oranges.
In the early days, Richard set up a simple fruit stall along the main road outside the farm.
It started with just one umbrella and a few baskets of oranges.
As more locals discovered the stall, one umbrella became four.
The small roadside business eventually grew into a permanent fruit store, attracting both local customers and travellers passing through Desaru.
But the family was only beginning.
Over the years, Desaru Fruit Farm continued to evolve.
In addition to agricultural tours, the farm introduced recreational and team-building activities, creating new experiences for families, schools, tour groups and corporate organisations.
From fruit farm tours and educational activities to outdoor recreation, dining, events and group programmes, DFF gradually transformed from a traditional farm into a destination where agriculture, tourism and experiences come together.
The farm has also welcomed large corporate groups and visitors from both Malaysia and overseas, while continuing to develop new programmes for the changing tourism landscape in Desaru.
A FAMILY LEGACY
From a roadside stall, to 45-acre orange orchard with one umbrella, to the destination visitors know today.
Desaru Fruit Farm has never been just about growing fruit.
It represents the journey of a family that started with very little, took opportunities when they appeared, adapted through challenges and continued building for the next generation.
Every chapter of DFF carries the same spirit that Richard brought with him from the beginning.
From one family's dream to generations of fruitful memories.
For more than three decades, Desaru Fruit Farm has grown alongside Desaru itself.
But our story is far from finished.
We continue to explore new ways to connect people with nature, agriculture, food and meaningful experiences — while staying true to the values that started everything in 1994.
Welcome to Desaru Fruit Farm.
