The Malaysian Insight

A GROUP of Kluang youth has come up with a plan to help small-time farmers in the area sell their produce during the movement-control order (MCO).

Calling themselves Cahaya Aspirasi, the team launched the “Surprise Food Box” to help move stock of slow-selling fruits and vegetables.

Group representative Tan Tze Ping told The Malaysian Insight that even before the MCO, there were already complaints from the agriculture industry on plummeting sales due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“When the government announced the MCO, it caught farmers by surprise. They didn’t know how to sell their produce.

“After discussing with the team, we decided to launch the Surprise Food Box.”

He said the project was launched the day after the MCO took effect on March 18, and the response has been enthusiastic.

Cahaya Aspirasi is helping 15 farmers in Kluang. In less than a month, nearly 700 of its food boxes, priced at RM50 to RM60 each, were sold online.

“There are three to four kinds of fruits and vegetables in each box, depending on the harvest that day,” said Tan, adding that the group’s assistance covers sales, packaging and deliveries.

Explaining the initiative, he said the team visits farmers to see what produce they have for the day, and then promotes the fruits and vegetables on social media.

“We visit the Kluang community to find small-time farmers who need help, to understand what problems they face, what kind of help they need, how much harvest can be provided every day.

“After collecting the information, we go on Facebook to promote the produce.

“This initiative helps farmers earn an income, and people get to eat fresh fruits and vegetables without having to go out.”

Cahaya Aspirasi, founded in 2018, hopes to continue helping farmers with packaging and marketing in the future.

Tan said the majority of small-time farmers are elderly and do not know how to leverage social media.

“Most of the people living in Kluang are old people and children. Many young adults have moved to Singapore.

“We want to tell their story through the packaging and marketing, so that people know and help out.” – April 18, 2020.