PENANG, December 10 – About 40 vegetable growers in Kampung Pertama, Permatang Pauh, Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) district of Penang have suffered losses of thousands of ringgit because their vegetable gardens have been hit by floods for more than 30 years. Although this problem has occurred for a long time and many complaints have been submitted to the relevant parties but until now no action has been taken to overcome it.
In a survey conducted, the Penang Consumers Association (CAP) understood by the vegetable growers involved that this year as many as 10 times their vegetable garden areas were affected by the problem. Following the incident, several types of vegetables grown, including mustard, okra, spinach and spinach were damaged and could not be sold, thus affecting their source of income. Vegetable growers here told CAP that the cause of the incident was that the drainage system in the area was not working because the sluice gates were not opened, causing the flow of rainwater to be blocked and stagnant.
Therefore, CAP urges the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) and the Agriculture Department to investigate the real cause of this incident as well as take immediate action to address it. CAP believes if the problem persists crop damage will continue to occur and vegetable growers here will be affected more seriously in their source of income in the future.
CAP is also concerned that the production of affected vegetable crops in the area will affect the increase in the price of the material in the local market and burden consumers. In order to maintain this source of food supply for the needs of the locals and nearby areas, CAP hopes that effective action will be taken by the relevant parties to help the farmers involved continue their activities.
