Who says Sarawak’s local cash crops like sweet corn, bananas, papayas, tapioca, coconuts and other jungle produce do not sell as well if not marketed properly?
This misconception in marketing strategy is often thrown as like caution to the wind by local and experienced stall owners in Sarawak.
This is simply because the government has been actively helping to build roadside stalls by the roadsides of main roads along prominent local Bidayuh kampungs such as along Penrissen Road and Siburan.
Similar stalls can also be found along some main roads leading to the Iban longhouses further in the outskirts of Kuching City.
One such row of simple zinc roofed and wooden stalls is located near the junction of Kampung Sinjok and Kampung Tijirak at Mile 20 at the Siburan district.
Built in the year 2000 by the state government, the popular stalls have been renovated recently to house 16 stalls selling both fruits and vegetables.
The stalls are shared together by the residents of the two Bidayuh kampungs or villages to sell their own cash crops such as sweet corns, papayas, vegetables, coconuts, durians, amongst others, which they had planted on their own land in the villages.
One such enterprising farmer, Ida Minas said she grew cash crops such as sweet corn to earn an extra income as well as in order to maintain the good condition of her land and farm.
On the planting of the sweet corn, she said it needs at least a week for the corn seedlings to grow in special plastic plant containers before they are being transferred to the soil to fully grow.
The sweet corns are being sold from between RM5 to RM10 depending on their size.
“The sweet corn such as from the United States is priced at RM10 for six stalks because the size is big,” said Ida’s friend, Magdalene anak Winnie, 52.
“Look at this. This one sweet corn alone costs RM1 a stalk because it is so big,” Ida quipped, showing a full size sweet corn from the United States.
Other stall owners such as Anna, 67, and Jingip, 55, said they are also selling their sweet corns to earn an extra income.
“I usually come to the stall at about 9am till I finished selling all my goods.
“We do not come to the stalls to sell our products if there isn’t anything to sell normally,” she added, speaking on the selling style of her kampung peers.
“I sell my sweet corns at RM10 for seven stalks and at RM5 for five stalks, “ said Jingip.
“Indeed, it is a good income for us, “ she smiled widely.
As such, not only does the stall owners get to earn a good income but such stalls also give an opportunity to some weary travellers to get some rest & relaxation when they stopped by to buy the products before proceeding on with their journey.
It is a win-win situation.
