JOHOR BAHRU – A total of 54 pineapple farmers in Johor suffered RM8.41 million in losses after their 99.35 hectare crop area was affected by floods, Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M Salleh said.
He said the total was based on records obtained from Feb 26 to March 6 by the board, which is an agency under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
During the period, 3.6 million pineapple plants, including MD2 and Josapine varieties, were destroyed.
“The worst hit district is Segamat, followed by Kluang, Pontian, Muar and Tangkak. The newest district is Batu Pahat and we are gathering data on farmers affected, with numbers expecting to rise.
“We believe Batu Pahat will have the highest total of devastation as the floodwaters have yet to recede, causing pineapples to spoil due to water-borne bacteria. If the water is able to flow, then the pineapples can still survive,” he told Bernama after delivering a keynote address to board employees at the MPIB headquarters here today.
Mohd Khairuzamri said the MPIB was taking the initiative of going to affected areas to see the destruction in the state and to provide suitable aid.
“Industry players, especially those most badly hit, include those with crops that are bearing fruit, some have just planted, and others in various stages of growth between six and seven months.
“The board does have a disaster fund for those affected and usually aid is given in kind not cash, for instance, seeds, fertiliser and infrastructure like drains, plantation roads and replacement buildings,” he said.
Based on the board’s records, Johor is the largest pineapple producer in the country, followed by Sarawak and Sabah.
As of 4 pm, the state disaster management committee announced that there were 37,635 flood evacuees in the state, with Batu Pahat having the highest number, at 37,233 people.- Bernama
