Continuing our farm visit journey, we eagerly arrived in Terengganu, ready to explore and learn from the farms in the region. Our first stop was Durian Mentangau, where we met 华仔, a part-time farmer who just started his farming journey around 1 year ago. It was inspiring to see his passion and dedication despite being new to the field.
The crops he plants are mainly durian, banana, papaya and dragon fruit. Here's a video introducing Wah Zai and his farm:
Farm Doktor: What are the common challenges you have faced during your agriculture journey?
华仔: The main challenges I've encountered are related to my dragon fruit trees. I have faced issues with pest infestations and fruit rot. Another challenge is the lack of manpower for applying fertilizers and pesticides. Since my farm is not considered large scale, it is not economically feasible to hire full time labor specifically for crop management. Currently, I have two workers who can assist, but only in the mornings.
Farm Doktor: How do you usually tackle the issues of pest infestations?
华仔: I rely on browsing the internet for information and seeking advice from experienced farmers. Nowadays, platforms like Facebook make it easier for us to access valuable insights and connect with fellow farmers.
Farm Doktor: Where do you usually acquire your agriculture products?
华仔: I usually purchase my products from Shopee for the sake of convenience. In my remote area, the products sold in retail shops tend to be more expensive. It becomes even more challenging when I need fertilizers since I have to travel to other states like Raub or Karak to find them. Whenever there are agricultural exhibitions in the KL area, I make it a point to attend and explore while networking with other farmers.
Farm Doktor: Are you familiar with our platform?
华仔: I have heard of it, but I have yet to explore and purchase products from your website. I am interested in joining your community group because I believe in the importance of collaboration and sharing experiences in the agricultural sector. Working as an individual farmer can be quite difficult, so having a supportive community of farmers is beneficial.
Farm Doktor: Lastly, are there any other challenges that farmers in Malaysia face?
华仔: In our East Coast area, the major challenge we face is the lack of fruit distributors. Despite having a high supply of harvested fruits, there is a shortage of distributors to export our produce to other regions. As a result, our harvested crops often remain ‘stuck’ in our own area. This issue discourages farmers from planting on a larger scale due to limited market access.
Special thanks to Wah Zai for allowing us to pay a visit to his farm and understanding the probelms faced by farmers in the east coast. If you would like for us to visit your farm next, feel free to contact us on WhatsApp at +603-9213 0863.