JOHOR BARU: The hot and dry weather here since late last month is stressing out farmers who worry about a water shortage.
Although there is enough water to sustain their crops for now, they are unsure if the supply would be enough if the hot weather were to persist.
“Even now, we are already struggling to water our plants. This will only get worse if the situation continues,” said Johor Fruits Farmers Association chairman Alvin Lo.
“We may have to resort to using treated water, which will be a lot more expensive,” he said in an interview.
Lo, however, said that the prices of local fruits are not likely to go up for now despite the weather challenges.
“The concern now is for plants that are in the midst of the flowering process. The fruits coming from them are likely to be smaller and the yield will also be lower.”
However, he believed that they could supply enough fruits for the Chinese New Year. Lo said he hoped that the government would help fruit farmers by limiting the amount of imported fruits that could be locally produced.
Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee said he believed that farmers could ride out the dry period with the available resources.
“I think we should be fine for now but if this goes on too long, then we may have trouble watering our plants,” he said.
Despite the increase in production cost, he said the prices of local vegetables would remain, especially during the festive season.
