Farmers feel the pressure of cold spell

PETALING JAYA: If you noticed that the weather is slightly cooler these few days, you are not alone.

The Meteorological Department said it is normal for it to be cooler this time of the year, but many remember that it was warmer around this period in 2013 and before that.

Farmers in Cameron Highlands have been complaining of extra low temperatures that are extending the maturity period of their crops.

Chai Kok Leong, 45, the owner of a vegetable farming business in Brinchang, watched in frustration as his crops took longer to grow.

“For example, when the minimum temperature was 18°C, we harvested cabbages in three months.

“Now that the temperature has declined to 12°C, we are forced to wait an extra half a month before we can sell them,” he said.

Another farmer, Tan Ching Long, said he waited patiently for his Cameron apples to grow, but saw many of them wither.

“The apples that survived were not as big as before,” he said.

Not all vegetable farmers were alarmed.

Lim Hock Ling, 43, believed that the phenomenon will only affect fruits and vegetables temporarily.

On a scale of 10, two would describe the extent to which his vegetables were affected, said Lim.

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