After supply chain disruptions left them with tonnes of excess stock and grave losses, more Cameron Highlands farmers are now giving away their vegetables to medical frontliners and to charity.
In a Facebook post, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin shared how farmers had personally delivered three tonnes of fresh produce and distributed them for free to Hospital Besar Ipoh staff yesterday.
The Cameron Highlands Agricultural Entrepreneur Organisation will next deliver 500kg of vegetables to his constituency for distribution to old folks' homes, orphanages, homes for the disabled and hospitals in Penang.
Expecting the farmers to respond to more requests for food aid, the former agriculture and agro-based industries deputy minister thanked them for their kindness.
“They topped up costs for lorries and packing, and gave away the vegetables for free [...]
“I am so touched. Even though they are facing huge losses due to the Covid-19 movement control order, they are willing to top up money to help doctors and nurses at hospitals and the needy across the country.
“Such is the #KitaJagaKita spirit. This also shows the spirit of togetherness and love of the Malaysian people,” Sim said.
Earlier this week, Malaysiakini reported how farmers had no choice but to dump their produce because transport and downstream issues were causing demand to nosedive.
Delivery trucks also lamented the hassle of being stopped at roadblocks.
Meanwhile, a drop in foot traffic plus labour and opening hour restrictions at wholesale markets were causing sellers to either close or purchase less stock than usual.
“No farmers will throw away their hard-toiled produce if they are not forced to do so.
“Those who criticise the farmers are being insensitive to them,” Sim said in defence of the farmers.
Defence Minister Ismail Sabri has since assured that police will not stop trucks carrying raw produce anymore.
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