PETALING JAYA: With tensions in the Middle East disrupting fertiliser supply and driving up diesel costs, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will meet vegetable farmers tomorrow to plan remedies.
Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, in confirming the meeting, said it was to enable the government to better address the issues.
Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee said the dry season and sharp increases in diesel prices have made some farmers scale back on planting, which could reduce vegetable output for April.
He said a reliable production database would allow authorities to estimate domestic supply more accurately and enable importers to bring in only the vegetables in short supply.
This would protect local farmers and allow the government to provide more targeted assistance, he added.
Lim said many farmers remained hesitant to expand production due to higher costs, especially with diesel prices having doubled in some areas, and dry weather further hindering planting.
“A rise in local vegetable prices next month is inevitable given the expected drop in output,” he said.
