Farmers use hanging fertigation method to grow crops during monsoon

DUNGUN: The hanging fertigation method has not only proven capable of reducing losses but also helping vegetable farmers to double their profits during the monsoon season.

Several farmers here said they were utilising this method to save their crops, especially from floods.

Wan Abd Rahim Wan Jalil, 48, who has a farm in Kampung Tebing Tembah near Paka here, said he had been earning good income as many farmers who practised conventional farming would suspend their work once the wet season began, which reduced vegetable supply in the market by 40%.

“As such, farmers who adopt the hanging fertigation method will make full use of this opportunity to sell their produce to meet demand and make more profit, ” he said.

Wan Abd Rahim ventured into the agriculture sector in 2006 with 3,000 polybags of vegetables such as cucumber and sakata chilli S461, and now owns 25,000 polybags of vegetables at two farms with four workers.

“Early November to end February is a crucial time because my income will depend on whether or not the crops can be harvested.

“I have experienced losses before due to pests as insecticides cannot be sprayed during the monsoon season.

“From that experience, I learned how to continue farming safely even during the monsoon season, ” he said.

He said during the monsoon season, sakata chilli S461 can be sold at high as RM20 per kg compared to RM10 to RM12 per kg before the season, while the price of cucumber and eggplant has now doubled to RM4 per kg compared to RM2 previously.

Another farmer, Yusuf Harun, however, said the monsoon was still affecting the growth of his cucumber plants despite having implemented the hanging fertigation method for the past three weeks.

He said he would wait for at least another three weeks before harvesting his crops.

Yusuf, 27, said besides the rainy season, other factors like fungus and insects also harmed his plants.

“What is important is for me to keep on striving by utilising new technology, ” he added. — Bernama