ONION, a crucial ingredient in Malaysian staple dishes, is now selling for a record high price in the local market, worrying the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP).
N. V. Subbarow, the coordinator of the NGO’s natural farming programmes, has revealed that onions, particularly those imported from India due to insufficient supply from local growers, have fetched an average price of RM8.50 per kg over the past week.
The item was pegged at RM6.20 per kg during the festive Christmas period due to intervention from the enforcement division of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
However, the price shot up again in the open market after the festive season was over, at a feverish RM8.50 per kg, Subbarow claimed.
He said that the authorities need to find diverse sources for onions, especially with reports that India will curb exports to meet the country’s own local demand.
He also urged consumers to make a New Year's resolution to grow their own vegetables to help the country overcome the shortage of nutritional food.
"CAP believes that the year 2024 will be more challenging to consumers in terms of food prices," he said.
To reduce the burden of vegetable price increase, Malaysians can grow any type vegetables and herbal plants.
CAP, which is conducting educational programmes on green farming at various communities and schools, can assist the public by providing coaching and some vegetables seeds to start off.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has projected that world food demand may increase by 70% by 2050, much of it due to rising consumer incomes in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Prices of greens have been increasing in recent days. The situation is expected to linger for several months unless farming authorities can find ways to reduce demand, stabilise prices and maintain people’s food security on vegetables, said Subbarow.
He also noted that climate change is a big contributing factor for large scale farming.
"It destroys lives, crops, and undermines people’s ability to feed themselves," he said.
To compound the problem, global fertiliser prices have hiked up even faster than food prices.
"As such, we are urging consumers to grow their own vegetables at home, which can be cost- effective. Planting edible greens does not require a big space," he said.
Fruiting plants like okra, brinjal, chillies and leafy vegetables like sawi (mustard plant), kangkong (water spinach), kailan (Chinese broccoli), bayam (spinach), as well as perennial plants mint, pegaga (Indian pennywort), kesum (Chinese knotweed) and selum (water celery) can be easily grown, even on a balcony.
Plants with deeper roots like okra, brinjal and chilli can be grown in containers like biscuit tins, five-litre oil cans and five to 20-litre water bottles, Subbarow said.
"With proper sunlight, water and compost, anyone can grow and harvest vegetables even in small places," he added. – The Vibes, January 2, 2024.
