The Malaysian Insight

A NEW Johor government must allocate agricultural land equally to all and assist in getting more workers, farmers’ representatives said.

Malaysia Federation of Vegetable Farmers Association president Lim Ser Kwee said farmers in Johor are in desperate need of more agricultural land but are unable to apply for more.

This problem has not been solved despite numerous changes of government, he said.

“Politicians tend to say something but do something else and in the end it’s the farmers who suffer,” Lim told The Malaysian Insight.

Johor’s land is ripe for cultivation but those who want it for farming have not been able to get any of it, Lim said.

Instead, the land has been granted to several cronies who use them for other development, he said.

“Some farmers were unable to apply for long-term use and buy modern machinery for planting.”

In addition to the lack of land, farmers are also suffering from a lack of foreign manpower.

Lim, who is from Batu Pahat said when vegetable prices rose last year, the government took measures to control them but when prices plummeted and farmers were losing money, the government did not provide any subsidies.

“Prices of vegetables fluctuate according to the weather. When it’s good, output is high, prices are low. When there is low output, that’s when prices will go up.

“I hope that the consumers understand this,” Lim said.

Lim said now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, he expects prices of fertilisers which have gone up about 100% due to the pandemic to become more expensive.

“Russia and Ukraine export 40% of the world’s fertilisers. Prices are expected to go up soon.”

The challenge for farmers now is the continued rise of vegetable prices, he added.

Political stability

Johor Fruit Farmers Association president Alvin Lo said he is hoping for five years of political stability.

The election, he said, has slowed down coordination between the farmers and government offices with some official duties not being able to be carried out, Lo said.

“Fruits and vegetables are fresh produce. When there is a change of government, official procedures come to a halt.

“Business can only resume a month later and this delay costs us.’

Lo said farmers hope for a government that will serve them.

“We are worried this will lead to the general election. Will we ever have stability?”

If politicians really cared about the people’s welfare, they would help them after the elections, he said.

“Voters are sharp. If you work hard, the people will give you a chance to win this election.”

The Batu Pahat native said the people of Johor are worried about the prospects of the future generation.

According to data from the Johor state department of agriculture, in 2020 vegetable production from the state accounted for 198,470 metric tonnes while there were 567,300 metric tonnes of fruits.

This makes the state the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, behind Cameron Highlands.

According to data from the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, Johor has 51.1% of agricultural land, 63.9% of which are for palm oil and rubber plantations. – March 5, 2022.