IPOH: The erratic weather pattern and lack of manpower have severely impacted the production of vegetables at Cameron Highlands, causing prices of produce to go up.

       Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said the prices of most vegetables had increased between 20% and 30% since last month.

       He said due to the scarcity of manpower, most farms were unable to operate at full capacity with some areas being closed indefinitely.

       “The unpredictable weather has aggravated the situation.

       “Usually, the weather after February is good but right now, there are floods occurring in so many parts of the country.

       “In the highlands here, it has been drizzling and cloudy almost every day,” he said when contacted.

       Chay said he was fed up with talking about the shortage of manpower and felt that the authorities were not urgently addressing the issue.“There is no approval yet given to hire foreign workers for now.

       “The implementation of the minimum wage of RM1,500 soon will kill businesses as well,” he lamented.

       Cameron Highlands Floriculturist Association president Lee Peng Fo said the last price increase of flowers – between 5% and 10% – was carried out last year.

       He added that the prices of raw materials and other items had been on the rise while many farmers faced a shortage of workers.

       The rainy spell, he said, coupled with extreme hot weather at times had not made things easier for the over 150 farmers growing flowers on the highlands.

       “Many farmers have reduced the size of their farms, otherwise they will not be able to manage with the handful of workers still available.

       “The weather is not helping either, for example, last week, it had been raining heavily, affecting the crops.

       “In previous years, production would be affected between November and December due to the monsoon season but now, it is raining almost every evening.”