Chicken manure shortage, farmers turning to compost
Friday July 4, 2008
Following a shortage of chicken manure, hard-pressed Cameron Highlands farmers are turning to compost as fertiliser.
China Press reported yesterday that there was an acute shortage of chicken manure on the highlands now.
Farmers blame the shortage of chicken manure to the skyrocketing price of non-organic fertilisers worldwide, forcing oil palm estates to also use chicken manure.
The shortage was also due to farmers rearing fewer chickens because of low profit margins.
A farmer told the daily that during Chinese New Year, a packet of chicken manure cost RM4.
“Now the price has increased to RM6.50 and there are signs of it going up further,” he said.
The farmer added that previously he could get his order of chicken manure delivered within two days.
“Now I am lucky if I can get the manure in a week. Sometimes I have to wait for a month.”
Sin Chew Daily reported that following the fuel price increase, traders had recorded a drop in business of between 10% and 20%.
> Petroleum Dealers’ Association of Malaysia president Wahid Bidin was quoted as saying that petrol sales had dropped between 10% and 20%.
He explained that motorists, in a bid to save petrol, had turned to using motorcycles.
Federation of Sundry Goods Merchant Associations of Malaysia president Lean Hing Chuan told the daily that members had reported a 5% drop in business.
The fuel price increase had forced consumers to practice smart consumerism, he said.
“While consumers continue to buy daily necessities such as cooking oil and other foodstuff, they have cut down on unnecessary items,” he said, adding that the people were also turning to cheaper alternatives.
Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations president Datuk Chai Soo Min told the daily that hawkers had complained of business dropping by 20%.
“People are cutting down on eating out, choosing to cook at home instead,” he said.
-- Compiled news from Star
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