Oil palm income dips by 30 per cent due to prolonged hot weather, say smallholders

SHAH ALAM - Due to prolonged hot weather until August, the country's agriculture productivity is expected to decline.

Former retired teacher Jamaluddin Johan, 68, said the monthly income from his five acres of oil palm plantation had reduced by 30 per cent.

Other smallholders are facing the same decrease, he said.

"When such situation takes place (reduced income), it decreases our purchasing power. We have to be careful and prudent in our spending since the cost of living is high," he told Sinar.

As a result in crop production decrease, palm oil smallholders are unable to afford fertilisers and pesticides.

He added a sack of fertiliser costs RM140, which is considered expensive as compared to the money they earn.

"We have to reduce our spending to save money to buy fertilisers," the owner of oil palm plantations in Lanchang and Karak, Pahang said.

He said they have to reduce spending to save money to buy fertilisers or they will have to endure s production decline for four to six months.

Jamaluddin hoped that the government will channel aid to affected oil palm smallholders by providing free fertiliser or drought incentives to help restore agriculture.