JOHOR BARU: A growing number of vegetable farmers are scaling down operations as soaring production costs and prolonged dry weather take their toll.
Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee said about 20% of its more than 6,000 members nationwide have reduced output, with some even considering switching to crops such as oil palm.
“Due to the hot and dry weather, we now depend heavily on diesel-powered machines to water our plants. Most crops need to be watered at least twice a day.
“For a farmer like me with 2.42ha of crops, I use at least 20 litres of diesel each time, costing about RM100 per session.
“With diesel prices expected to rise further, the cost of simply keeping crops alive will continue to increase, especially with the lack of rainfall,” he said, adding that diesel is also needed for transportation.
Lim said fertiliser prices have also surged by 30% to 40%, and are likely to climb further amid the Middle East tensions.
“The increase is too much for farmers to absorb, especially since many vegetable farmers are not eligible for diesel subsidies.
“We hope the government can help ease our burden, particularly in terms of diesel costs. Otherwise, more farmers may exit the industry if the situation persists.
“This will push up the prices of locally produced vegetables, affecting consumers, especially as neighbouring countries are also facing production challenges due to fuel shortages,” he said.
Yong Peng Vegetable Farmers Association chairman Cheng Tai Hoe echoed the concerns, warning that the lack of support could further deter locals from being involved in the agriculture sector.
“It is already difficult to attract young people into farming, and most vegetable farmers today are from the older generation.
“With more exiting the sector, we may be left with only a handful of farmers, increasing our reliance on imported vegetables,” he said.
Cheng urged the government to act swiftly, cautioning that the issue could have long-term implications on the country’s food security.
“Those who can still afford to continue are doing their best, but some have already run out of options as they no longer have the cash flow to sustain operations.
“If left unaddressed, this will eventually make it very expensive for consumers to buy vegetables, especially as imported produce is also expected to become more expensive due to fuel constraints,” he said.
