Smart choices: Consumers can reduce the risk of consuming pesticide-laden greens by buying vegetables from established supermarkets, licensed wet markets or farms certified under MyGAP, say consumer groups.
JOHOR BARU: From planting vegetables to distribution and retail, more and more foreign nationals are becoming “tauke sayur” (vegetable bosses), illegally growing crops on patches of land nationwide.
These illegal farms mostly grow outdoor vegetables such as root vegetables and leafy greens.
Apart from spring onions, French beans and zucchini, the foreigners are also planting cassava and pineapples to be harvested for mass consumption.
This practice was highlighted by Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee, who said that illegal farms have always been around but started mushrooming about five years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The illegal farms are found in every state, including in Johor, but they are especially saturated in Cameron Highlands.
“Foreigners either piggyback on people’s plantations or rent patches of land from locals to plant the vegetables.
“Some have even taken their venture to the next level by offering a one-stop service where they plant, supply and sell the produce at their own stalls and premises in various parts of the country,” he told The Star.
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He said there have been many complaints from local farmers about foreigners who obtain seeds, fertilisers and pesticides from local farms and other sources.
“Their produce is then supplied to major wet markets such as Selangor’s Pasar Selayang and wholesale markets in Johor.
“The items are purchased by consumers who might be unaware about the source of their vegetables,” he said.
Based on the complaints received, the foreigners found to be involved in such illegal farming activities are from Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, among other foreign nationals, Lim said.
“We have highlighted this issue in letters and memorandums to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
“We hope that action can be taken to combat illegal farming as they are also a threat to licensed farmers,” he said, adding that there are about 6,000 registered farmers nationwide.
Lim added that such a practice is a risky one as the illegal farms are not subject to the ministry’s standards and monitoring.
“They are also not Malaysia Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP) certified, so there is no telling how much pesticides they apply to the crops.
“We do not encourage vegetable sellers to source vegetables from foreign farmers as we are concerned about the long-term effects of people consuming vegetables covered in unhealthy levels of pesticide,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cameron Highlands Vegetable Farmers Association deputy president Lau Weng Soow said some of these foreigners are renting plots of land for as low as RM3,000 per acre each month.
“The plots are usually let out by locals who allow the foreigners to ‘tumpang’ (piggyback) on their land.
“Some of them are also ageing farmers who have no one to pass down their business to as their children are not interested in farming,” he added.
“So, they rent their land to foreigners and collect a monthly fee for retirement.”
“Many such farms can be found in Cameron Highlands.
“It affects the livelihood of local farmers, who have to pay taxes, high operating costs and comply with the ministry’s strict standards.
“Illegal farms operate at a low cost as they are free to use low-grade pesticides, which are much cheaper, on their produce without caring about the impact of such chemicals on the vegetables and the environment,” he said.
Another downside of illegal farms is that they create an unhealthy market, Lau said.
He explained that because of the low operating costs, illegal farmers are able to distribute their produce at low prices.
“This spoils the market for local farmers as we are unable to compete with the pricing.
“Sooner or later, local farmers will not be able to sustain (operations) or survive in years to come.
“After all, illegal farmers do not have to bear responsibility or be held accountable unlike local farmers.
“If their farming venture is unsuccessful, they can easily stop and move elsewhere without having to face the consequences faced by licensed farmers,” Lau added.
