PETALING JAYA: Erratic weather, swinging between scorching heat and torrential rain, is battering vegetable farms nationwide, raising concerns about supply disruptions.
The agriculture sector is currently facing what experts call a “climate stress test”, as unpredictable weather patterns-exacerbated by recent heatwaves and severe thunderstorms-wreak havoc on crop yields and farming schedules.
Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee said leafy vegetables are most affected because they are highly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and moisture.
“Heavy rain can cause leaf rot, yellowing and fungal infections, while excessive heat can lead to leaf burn and slower growth,” he said.
He said the recent weather has been unpredictable, affecting farmers’ operations with sudden heavy rainfall and scorching heat.
“Extreme heat causes vegetables to wilt and slows growth, while continuous heavy rain leads to waterlogging, root damage and increased pest and disease problems,” he said.
Lim warned that temporary supply shortages are already occurring in several areas, forcing farmers to replant damaged crops.
“When production drops, crop losses increase, and transportation and production costs remain high, the pressure will eventually be reflected in market prices,” he added.
To cope, farmers are being forced to invest heavily in physical protective measures, such as upgrading drainage systems and installing shade nets and rain shelters, Lim said.
He urged the government to step in, stressing that the agricultural sector can no longer fight climate change alone.
“We hope the government will strengthen support for climate adaptation in agriculture, including funding for infrastructure, agricultural technology, and disaster assistance,” he said.
PWD Smart FarmAbility founder and chief executive officer Prof Dr Billy Tang Chee Seng said the current weather extremes highlight the severe vulnerability of traditional open-field farming.
“The biggest challenge is the stress cycle. Extreme heat dries the soil, weakens plants and increases water demand. Sudden heavy rain can cause soil compaction, nutrient leaching, and root stress.
“For farmers, this means more labour, higher operating costs and a higher risk of crop failure,” Tang said, warning that the resulting drop in harvest quality and volume will inevitably impact market prices.
If erratic weather continues, he said, it could disrupt supply and lead to higher vegetable prices in the market.
He said when the weather becomes erratic, crop yields can drop significantly, especially for open-field leafy vegetables such as sawi, spinach and kangkung.
“These crops are very sensitive to heat, heavy rain impact, fungal pressure and sudden changes in moisture.
“Fruit vegetables like chili, brinjal, cucumber, long beans and okra can also be affected, especially during flowering and fruiting stages, because heat stress and rain can disturb pollination, fruit setting and disease control,” said Tang.
He advocated for a systemic shift towards regenerative farming to build resilience from the ground up.
“The most important protection is not only above the plant, but below it. We need to move from input-dependent farming to soil-powered, community-based food resilience. When we rebuild soil health, we protect plant health, farmer income, and national food security,” Tang said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on May 13 advised the public to stay alert to the current erratic weather conditions, which are transitioning to the southwest monsoon phase until September.
He said this period typically brings lower rainfall and hotter, drier weather in most areas.
