THE current hot spell brings challenges for many, but it also creates opportunities for some to earn additional income.
Married couple Zulkhairul Anuar Abu Bakar and Roselina Zakaria from Kampung Permatang Pusu, Melor, in Kota Baru, Kelantan, have seen rising demand for the traditional herb, ubi gegeli.
Ubi gegeli (scientific name Lasia spinosa) is a herbaceous plant in the Araceae family that typically grows in swampy or marshy areas and is used in traditional medicine.
Zulkhairul Anuar said the hot weather had sped up the drying process of ubi gegeli.
“In hot weather, ubi gegeli can be dried within a day compared with three to four days otherwise, which significantly increases our production capacity.
“Demand for boiled stems of ubi gegeli, which are used to make herbal drinks, has also increased,” he said, reports Bernama.
Zulkhairul Anuar said daily demand can reach up to 10kg, with around 40 to 50 packets sold each day, in addition to supplies distributed through local agents and customers.
During the hot season as swamp areas dry up, collection of ubi gegeli, which grows wild in padi fields and abandoned drains, become easier.
According to Roselina, the preparation process begins with cleaning the plant to remove the roots and thorns before slicing and drying it thoroughly.
“If the weather is favourable, it can be processed and sold on the same day.
“However, if it is not fully dried, it can easily spoil and become mouldy.”
She said the product was initially made for personal consumption before they began selling to villagers at RM20 per packet.
“Following encouraging response, we expanded sales, including through social media platforms.
“Production is now more stable after we secured sufficient supplies from several locations,” she said.
Boiled ubi gegeli water is becoming increasingly popular as it is believed to help cool the body during hot weather.
