Rising prices of Foodstuff

Shopping for groceries used to be simple and we really didn't have to worry too much about the price as we knew how much each item cost each time we bought it as prices remained quite the same each time. These days, we have to scrutinize prices for every item that we intend to buy to see if we can afford it as prices are skyrocketing so fast we can hardly keep up with the pace.

At the supermarket yesterday, I saw a sign that said that each customer was entitled to just a 5 kg bag of rice. So now we not only have to contend with rising costs but also shortages of certain essential commodities. What is going on? In a country like Malaysia where we have ample land, can't we make sure that we have enough land to plant padi just to feed our own people at least. Why are we building all kinds of monstrous structures on land meant for farms and agriculture.

In Ipoh, where we are famous for our juicy, succulent pomeloes, they have earmarked the orchard land for something else and relocating the orchards elsewhere. Don't the authorities realise that certain vegetation and fruit trees need certain soil type to produce quality fruits and vegetables. Instead of relocating the farms and orchards, why not think of some other land for development and not make it so difficult for the poor farmers.

There are so many things that we can do to try to bring food prices down. First we have to revert back to being more agricultural than industrial and start growing food and rearing livestock and to make sure that land is allocated for such industries instead of taking up these land for developing other industries.