SARIKEI: Sarikei is dubbed as the pineapple town of the state and the fruits are in abundance here now, the start of the pineapple season.
However, come July, it will be the peak season for the fruits and the people will be spoilt for choice.
Farmer Jamil Sapong, 61, from Stubah, Tanjung Manis near here, is one of those reaping the fruit of success from his pineapple farm.
Jamil was spotted selling the fruit at the Central Market here last weekend.
“I can make between RM400 to RM500 a day during the weekend now from selling pineapples,” he revealed.
Jamil, who has been a farmer throughout his life, proudly announced that his pineapples called “Nenas Jengki” were very popular among the people as they were very sweet.
As it takes him more than one hour to travel by boat from his village to Sarikei, he said he could only sell his pineapples in the town during the weekend.
“Besides Sarikei, I sometimes will travel far to Mukah, Balingian and Selangau to find buyers. I do not sell them to middlemen as I want to keep the prices low,” he added.
To a question, he replied, “If this week, I am in Sarikei, the following week, I will be in other places.”
Depending on the sizes, he said he is selling each pineapple at RM2 or RM3 or RM5 or RM7.
He will peel the pineapples on the spot at the request of customers.
