Pahang Farmers Affected By COVID-19 Are Giving Away 20 Tonnes Of Watermelon For Free
People are welcome to take as much as they like and pay whatever amount they wish.
By Arisha Rozaidee — 24 May 2021, 03:48 PM
Several farmers in Pahang have decided to give away watermelons for free as a last resort so their produce won't go to waste after their businesses declined
50-year-old watermelon farmer Asri Yaakob told Harian Metro that there are eight farmers in a village at Jerantut, Pahang, managing farms as big as 0.4 to 0.8 hectares.
Although a few farmers are still operating their small businesses, the rise in COVID-19 cases has caused them to meet several difficulties, including limiting their movement.
"Although we're at a loss, most farmers have accepted their fate and hope that there are people who'd like to come and take the fruits so they won't go to waste," Asri said.
Asri noted that the farmers started planting watermelons earlier this year with hopes of selling them during Ramadan.
However, the response was underwhelming as many people were confined to their homes during the fasting month.
"This time around, the crops turned out really well as it was raining the whole month, but business was not as good as previous years," he added.
He said that in the past, he was able to use the money he earned from selling watermelons for Hari Raya preparations, such as buying clothes for his children. However, this time around, the situation is rather grim.
He also mentioned that many farmers are just hoping to earn enough to cover their capital.
"Some have covered their capital, some have not. Because there isn't a market, many farmers just left their fruits uncollected," he said.
"Whoever wants to eat watermelon, just come to my farm," he said.
"Take as much as you want and give it away to neighbours so these ripe fruits will not go to waste."
He also noted that as of now, there are at least 20 tonnes of watermelon left at the farm.
"We want to give it for free to those who come and even if you want to pay, just pay whatever you wish," he said.
Asri did not give the exact address of his farm, but it is located in Kampung Besul in Jerantut, Pahang.
