Veggie, flower supply from Cameron Highlands stable

IPOH: There is currently no shortage of vegetables or flowers from Cameron Highlands, said farmers there.

Cameron Highlands Agriculture Entrepreneurs Association chairman Tan Wei Wun said the weather had not impacted production.

He pointed out that the monsoon weather starts at the end of October and will last until the beginning of January.

“When the monsoon season hits, the shortage of vegetable supply is unavoidable, but until then, the situation is under control.

“During monsoon weather, production is slow, and the percentage of spoiled vegetables is high as well. This has been a yearly problem,” he added.

Kinta Vegetable Wholesalers Association chairman Tan Peng Kiang also said the supply of vegetables was stable.

“There is no shortage reported as of now. It is only raining heavily in certain parts of Perak, and the weather in Cameron Highlands is okay at the moment.

“Usually there is a shortage of vegetables, and prices of vegetables increase during the peak period between December and January,” he added.

Farm owner P. Ramasamy said there were only occasional rains in Camerons, and it was currently very warm.

However, he said his business was not flourishing.

“Consumers are buying less, and there is oversupply. Recently, I had to discard the radish planted on my farm.

“I spend over RM140,000 for one crop during a season (between one and two months) for fertilisers, chemicals, seeds and sprays. The amount does not include the RM20,000 for the salaries of my 10 workers monthly.

“But my customers are taking less, so demand is dwindling,” he said, adding that currently cucumbers are planted at his farm.

He plants tomatoes, chilies and brinjals according to the season.

Cameron Highlands Indian Farmers Association president S. Mathan said the situation is under control “at the moment”.

The association members comprise those planting flowers.

Farm owner Datuk Seri P. Viswanathan, who grows chrysanthemums, also said the rainy season would normally peak in December.

“That is when production would be affected,” he said.