PETALING JAYA: Malaysians should start growing their own vegetables to cushion the impact of rising food prices, says the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
Its natural farming coordinator NV Subbarow said vegetable prices have already gone up in recent days, with a more significant spike potentially on the horizon.
He pointed to a recent warning by the Cameron Highlands Growers Association that vegetable prices could rise by as much as 50% in the short term due to higher production costs driven by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
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"The association warned that prices could climb by that much before easing to around 30% above current levels," he said in a statement on Sunday (March 29).
Subbarow said farmers are already grappling with rising fertiliser and transportation costs, which have become a major burden.
He added that labour costs are also increasing, as many farm workers, most of whom are foreigners, are demanding higher wages.
"CAP believes the future will be more challenging for consumers when it comes to food prices," he said.
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To reduce the burden, Subbarow urged Malaysians to take up urban gardening by growing their own vegetables and herbs at home.
"Stop complaining. Plant a vegetable," he said, stressing that such efforts do not require large plots of land.
He said vegetables can be grown using soil in small spaces, including balconies, with simple natural methods that help cut costs.
Subbarow also encouraged the use of compost made from kitchen waste as a healthy and affordable fertiliser alternative.
He cited projections by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) that global food demand could increase by 70% by 2050, driven largely by rising incomes in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
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He added that the climate crisis continues to contribute to global hunger, as extreme weather disrupts crops, livelihoods and food supply.
"Global fertiliser prices have climbed even faster than food prices, partly due to geopolitical conflicts that have disrupted production and exports," he said.
Subbarow noted that higher natural gas prices, exacerbated by conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and tensions involving Iran, have pushed up fertiliser costs by between 30% and 40% this year.
He warned that if fertiliser use declines because of high costs, crop yields could suffer, potentially turning a food affordability issue into a food availability crisis.
As such, he reiterated that home gardening is a practical solution for consumers.
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Among the crops that can be easily grown this way are okra, brinjal, chillies and leafy vegetables such as sawi, kangkung, kailan and bayam, as well as herbs like mint, pegaga, kesum and selom, he noted.
He said commonly used household items such as milk cartons, bottles and small containers can be repurposed for plants with smaller root systems, while larger containers like biscuit tins and water bottles are suitable for deeper-rooted crops.
"With proper sunlight, water and compost, anyone can grow and harvest vegetables, even in small spaces," he said.
Subbarow urged Malaysians to practise urban gardening effectively, noting that adequate sunlight is key to ensuring healthy plant growth.
