By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 2: The Dalat/Oya Farmers’ Association has today rescued over 11,000 kilogrammes of surplus pineapples harvested from 55 farmers, and then diverted them to villagers and local communities in need in an effort to prevent food from going to waste during these tough pandemic times.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah informed that due to the large quantity involved, the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) have been tasked to collect the pineapples and distribute them to villagers.
“The response has been so encouraging in my constituency.
“The State government through the local association has stepped in to assist our farmers as there is excess and unsold farm produce due to the MCO (Movement Control Order),” she said in a statement today.
On June 28, the Association delivered 1,460.7 kgs of pineapples harvested from four farmers to Fatimah’s Dalat constituency service centre.
Volunteers at the service centre then assisted to redistribute the fruits to mosques, suraus, churches, chapels and temples around Dalat and Oya.
Fatimah, who is also  Dalat assemblywoman, was glad that the excess fruits can go to homes and be incorporated into their meals.
“Pineapples can be made into ‘tumis, paceri and kerabu’. They can be eaten with fried salted fish and other kinds of dishes.
“It is rich in vitamin C and fibre which is really good for the body’s digestive system and health,” she added. — DayakDaily
