| |
|
Advantages and Benefits of Local Fruits |
|
|
As Malaysian citizens, we should be grateful for the variety of natural
resources available to us. The fertility of our lands and sufficient water
sources have given us various types of delicious and appetizing local fruits. As
the local fruit season approaches, all Malaysians will be delighted and flock to
supermarkets or stalls that sell these fruits. Besides durian and rambutan, the
emergence of the sweet-smelling Harum Manis fruit from Perlis has gained
popularity among locals. We can see that local fruits are actually more
preferred by the local population compared to imported fruits. As the Malay
proverb goes, "gold rain in someone else's land, stone rain in our own land, it
is better to be in our own land." The question is, what are the advantages and
benefits of local fruits to us as the primary consumers of these commodities?
One of the benefits we will gain if we buy local fruits is getting the unique
benefits and best quality of these fruits. As we know, local fruits are grown
and harvested locally. Therefore, they are easily accessible and can be consumed
fresh from farmers' fields. Compared to fruits from foreign countries, the long
logistics process affects the quality and condition of the fruit. As consumers,
we will lose out as the vitamin and nutrient content of the fruit has decreased
and does not provide any benefits. For example, papaya, known as the "fruit of
the angels," is a tropical fruit that contains vitamins A, C, E, and K. In
addition, it also contains antioxidants that are good for our body and is great
for our skin and hair health. Based on scientific research, the enzymes
contained in papaya can remove signs of aging, reduce acne, stimulate hair
growth, and strengthen hair. It is proven that local fruits also have high
quality and benefits, as the saying goes, "still waters run deep."
Additionally, local fruits have an advantage over imported fruits because of
their affordable prices. Imported fruits are usually sold at a high price due to
the logistic costs borne by the supplier. These costs include harvesting,
packaging, and delivery. However, local fruits do not require much logistic
costs as supplies can be obtained nearby, and supermarkets have a special
section for local fruits. Farmers and traders commonly sell them directly from
the fields as people like to get fresh and easily accessible fruits.
Inadvertently, the price will be cheaper, and buyers can enjoy fresh and
high-quality fruits without having to spend more. As a result, the conventional
community will choose local fruits over imports because of the affordable price
and the freshness and quality they offer.
Moreover, the benefits of local fruits are that they can help to boost domestic
economic growth. This is because the dependency rate of the country's food
supply generally has a high percentage of imports. If a disaster or global
pandemic occurs, where import and export activities are forced to stop, the
country's food supply will be reduced. Therefore, to achieve a level of
self-sufficiency in the food supply in the country, the empowerment of
agriculture and food production must be implemented. Hence, we must support all
efforts to increase food supplies by creating high demand. As the saying goes,
"where there is sugar, there are ants." Similarly, buying local fruits can help
to boost the local economy.
In conclusion, there are various advantages and benefits of local fruits to us
as consumers and the country's economy. By choosing local fruits, we can enjoy
the unique benefits and best quality of the fruits while saving costs. At the
same time, we can help to boost the country's economy by supporting the
agricultural and food production industries. Let us appreciate and enjoy the
local fruits we have been blessed with as Malaysians. |
|
|
|
|
