SHAH ALAM - The expectation of hotter and drier weather until mid-September is causing concern among many farmers in the country as they face the uncertainty of yields.
The Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations of Malaysia vice chairman Chay Ee Mong expressed concerns that the government might decide to import certain vegetables to meet market demand, which could affect the income of local farmers.
He said vegetable production has been inconsistent in recent months due to the weather.
"May was the hottest month, then June was somewhat better, and July saw a slight improvement, leading to increased production.
"Many areas suffered from insufficient water, but in the Cameron Highlands, there are forest water sources. Because of this, production was high in July due to better weather and an adequate water supply.
"However, another issue arose when production was high this month, coinciding with the fruit season, resulting in lower demand and slightly falling prices," he told Sinar yesterday.
Chay stated that in many places, especially in the northern part of the peninsula, production was indeed affected by the dry season.
He said the Malaysian Meteorological Department's forecast of hot and dry weather until September heightens their concerns, particularly for farmers dealing with irrigation issues and those practising hydroponic and fertigation farming, which require water sources.
He said if the hot weather continues or becomes too extreme, the quality of vegetables will be affected, as insects tend to proliferate in hot conditions.
"Our suggestion to the government is that for vegetables that our farmers can produce and meet the local market demand, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and water spinach, there is no need to import.
"There is no objection if the government wishes to import vegetables in high demand by the public, restaurants, and the food industry, such as round cabbage, chilli, and old ginger.
"But the government should have a mechanism in place to control imported vegetables from entering the market indiscriminately, causing our farmers to compete with them," he said.
He said the government and relevant departments needs pay attention to all the issues faced so that farmers in the country can 'breathe' during these challenging times.