Farmers need land and subsidy
I REFER to the letter “Important keys to healthy eating” (The Star, Sept 18).
Time and again, we have been reminded by doctors and nutritionists to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to sustain and improve our health. Given the choice, I suppose we too would like to make fruits and vegetables easily available to everyone.
Apparently, most parents would make sure that their children consume a balanced diet inclusive of fruits and vegetables. Not surprisingly, there is often a basket of fresh fruits on the dining table of families in most advanced countries.
The truth of the matter, unfortunately, is the price of fruits and vegetables, including the local ones. Prices have gone up tremendously for the simple reason that demand exceeds supply. I am not talking of the Musang King durian but common fruits like papaya, ciku, watermelon, guava, cempedak and pineapples.
Ironically, our country which is blessed with vast stretches of arable land is unable to meet the local demand for fruits whereas countries like Taiwan and South Korea with limited land are exporting them to us.
The powers that be should make land available to farmers who sincerely need this resource to cultivate fruits and vegetables. A case in point are the desperate farmers in Cameron Highlands who have the skill and knowledge to produce fruits and vegetables not only for local consumption but export as well.
More important is the allocation of farm subsidies to farmers who grow fruits and vegetables. Historically, agricultural bills have provided financial support for commodity crops such as rice, oil palm and rubber but none for fruits and vegetables.
Why should fruit and vegetable producers be excluded from subsidies? The upcoming budget ought to consider an allocation of funds for fruit and vegetable farmers.
The notion that they do not need to be subsidised should be dismissed. I think it is a big mistake from a policy standpoint.
The Health Ministry has rightly encouraged the people to eat more fruits and vegetables. But fruits and vegetables are not easily available at a reasonable price for the consumers.
The Agriculture Department should look for suitable land to alleviate the scarcity of farmland for fruit and vegetable growers, and consider granting subsidies to them so that their produce could be sold at reasonable prices to consumers.
Making land available to the farmers would free them of harassment from the authorities.
On the other hand, depriving genuine farmers of land would give rise to frustration and resentment, which may lead to illegal farming and abuse of land, causing soil erosion and landslides.
I believe providing land and subsidies would be beneficial to farmers and positively impact those who rely on farming for their livelihood.
Unemployed youths in particular would then find it economically advantageous to venture into fruit and vegetable farming. THOMAS KOK Ipoh