KOTA KINABALU – With the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) imposed on Sabah until November 11, local farmers located in interior areas of Sabah are struggling to sell their vegetables produce.
In addition to that, some families are struggling to get fresh vegetables as they are discouraged to leave their homes in light of the Covid-19 situation here.
Noting this supply and demand imbalance, a Sabah Civil Society Organisation, Hopes Malaysia, is attempting to alleviate this issue by implementing an online platform for people to order fresh vegetables from farmers in Mesilau, Ranau and Kadamaian, Kota Belud.
Its Founder and Executive Director, Sam Lee said, consumers can also purchase a Tamu Kita Benefit Bag costing RM48 each filled with fresh vegetables produce, to be donated to those in need.
“The Benefit Bag initiative was launched last week. We would purchase from the farmers and send these bags to people in need. We are going to do this weekly. For the first week, we have distributed over RM700 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables which have benefited more than 150 people from seven care centres in Tuaran, Kota Belud and Kota Kinabalu.
The Hopes Malaysia’s Tamu Kita Project, started June this year.
Lee explained the Tamu Kita Benefit Bags are only a small part of the social enterprise platform to address problems faced by farmers having a hard time selling their produce, and people in need of fresh vegetables during this difficult period.
“The core of the project is turning over 60 rubber tappers in Kadamaian, Kota Belud, to become successful vegetable farmers in hope that they would be able to make good use of their land for a sustainable income for their families,” Lee said.
Lee said that Hopes Malaysia had provided the villagers with seeds and farming equipment such as polybags, black soil, black netting and fertilisers, and training.
“Rubber tappers do not have a steady income; they could return home empty-handed during rainy days, and the rubber price is not lucrative now.
“Each farmer we assist represents one household. We monitor their progress weekly, and they will update us the challenges they face, and result. We have a WhatsApp group for the four villages in Kadamian to communicate with each other.
“Besides fruits and vegetables, we also get them started on Tilapia fish farming, by providing them with the necessary starter kits. We want to ensure that the community have sufficient protein source.
“They would sell all their produce in the local market. We also help them to transport their vegetables for wholesale sellers in Kota Kinabalu weekly. From this, they could get about RM1,000 to RM1,500 per week. From May to date, they have earned about RM30,000 from this. This is a second income for them with the first coming from them selling their own produce.
“However, during CMCO period, they are fully dependent on us as they are unable to sell their produce at the market. We are also encouraging them to limit their movement outside their homes,” he said.
Farmers in Kadamaian under Tamu Kita are now producing pineapples, rice, cassava, long beans, spinach, and more.
Other than farmers in Kota Belud, Hopes Malaysia has also been helping two existing farmers in Mesilau, Ranau, who are mass-producing tomato and coral lettuce to Brunei and Sarawak.
“Their main source of income has stopped because of the Covid-19 situation, so they are forced to sell their produce locally. So we add their produce in our website, where people could order for themselves, or order to donate to those in need,” he explained. –The Vibes, October 29, 2020.
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