DUNGUN: Tubers, traditionally an afternoon snack, has now become a key source of income for traders in Terengganu due to the high demand during the flood season. Annuar Al Shadat Kadi, 53, a trader better known as ‘Nuar Durian’ in the Dungun community, said various types of tubers were popular among his customers, with sales reaching around 500-700 kg a day. Having started selling at the age of six, Annuar shared that tubers were especially favoured by locals during the flood season as they were easy to cook and provided a filling source of carbohydrates.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Annuar noted, “Every time there’s a flood, people are drawn to buy tubers. They take them home, cook them while they’re fresh, and enjoy a warm, hearty meal. Since I was a child, tubers have been a staple on our dining table every flood season.” Annuar emphasized that tubers are especially popular in cold and wet weather because they are simple to prepare, help warm the body, and can be stored easily, making them ideal for
families affected by floods. His stall, located about two kilometres from Dungun Hospital, now offers a variety of fruits and tubers such as cassava, sweet potato, as well as ‘ubi yakun’ and ‘ubi itik’.

“The prices are very reasonable. Sweet potatoes are priced at RM5 per kg, cassava at RM10 for three kg, and yakun tubers at RM12 per kg,” Annuar said. However, he also mentioned that the supply of tubers has been somewhat affected during this season due to difficulties in sourcing enough stock, as most of the supplies come from outside the Dungun area, which is currently experiencing flooding.

During Bernama’s visit, the team sampled the unique and delicious ubi yakun, which is relatively rare in the market. The distinct texture and sweet taste of the ubi yakun, resembling pear and sengkuang, clearly illustrate why tubers are such a popular choice for locals during the flood season.

For police officer Zainal Mohd Noah, 58, tubers were a must-buy treat during the flood season due to their delicious taste an
d versatility in making various dishes with ease. “Cassava, when boiled and eaten with sambal bilis, grated coconut, and sugar, are already delicious. Every time it rains or floods, I always buy them for my family because they are nutritious,” he said.