FARMERS, fishermen and livestock breeders are important members of society who not only earn a living for their families, but also form the backbone of efforts to ensure the country’s food supply remains secure.
One of them is farmer Azhar Hamat, 57, who has been growing padi for the past 27 years in Kampung Permatang Berangan, here, alongside several other padi farmers on an area spanning 2.9ha.
“I can estimate that about 13.6 tonnes of padi are produced after the required deductions, but the yield varies from season to season, over a six-month period, as some seasons produce more while others produce less.
“Based on a rough calculation, the 13.6 tonnes of padi could produce about 8.8 tonnes of rice after undergoing several processes.
“If we take into account that a consumer uses about 0.1kg of rice per serving, it is estimated to be enough for about 88,000 servings,” he tells Sinar Harian.
Another farmer from the same village, Azizah Ramli, 57, says she began supplying ulam, which she gathers and sells, including pucuk janggus, ulam raja and daun selom, to several nearby shops 10 years ago as an additional source of income.
“I usually deliver the ulam three times a week. In a day, I gather and prepare about 50 bundles, with each bundle believed to be enough for at least three people.
“So, I estimate that 150 people eat the ulam in a day, while in a week, it could reach 450 people,” she says.
According to Azizah, based on that calculation, about 1,800 people have enjoyed the ulam in a month, while the figure could reach 10,800 over six months, if it is marketed according to the same estimate.
Meanwhile, prawn-net fisherman Idris Baharom, 46, says he has 15 years of experience catching prawns along the Kuala Muda coastline up to Pulau Sayak.
He typically catches about 3.5kg of large prawns a day, which could provide meals for about 30 people.
“In a day, a catch of about 3.5kg can feed 30 people. If we take 30 days as a month, that means the catch could be enjoyed by about 900 people,” he said.
Idris says that over six months, his catch could therefore have provided food for an estimated 5,400 people.
