Latest news with #2024AgricultureCensusInterimReport
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Call for Perlis youths to take up agriculture, reduce reliance on aging farmers
PADANG BESAR: Youths in Perlis are being called on to take up agriculture as a viable career path, amid concerns that the sector is increasingly reliant on elderly farmers. According to the state-level 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report, 54.4 per cent of farmers in the state are aged 60 and above. In contrast, only 18.2 per cent of those involved in agriculture are between 15 and 45. State Agriculture, Plantation and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Razali Saad said it was crucial to get young people involved to ensure long-term food security and economic sustainability. "There are many government incentives and support schemes in place to help young people get started in agriculture, as this sector plays a key role in our state's economy, and the youth should seize the opportunity to develop their own ventures," he told reporters today. Razali said many senior farmers currently active had only entered agriculture after retiring from other careers, which partly explained the demographic imbalance. "The challenge is that many young people still prefer jobs outside agriculture. This is why we need to promote the sector more actively as a professional and rewarding option," he added.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia's food security at risk
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's food security goals are falling short, with data showing the country remains heavily dependent on imports for key produce like beef, mutton, cabbage and chilli. Latest data from the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report showed that the self-sufficiency level (SSL) for cattle and buffalo meat stood at just 15.9% in 2023, far below the 35.5% projected under the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (DAN 2.0) and well short of its 50% target by this year. This is due to small-scale cattle operations and a lack of local breeding stock, said Universiti Putra Malaysia's Agriculture Faculty dean Prof Dr Loh Teck Chwen. 'Malaysia currently lacks sufficient breeders and parent stock for cattle, which is why we continue to import beef to meet domestic demand. 'This dependence on imported beef drives up prices. Beef now costs around RM35 per kilogram, which is increasingly unaffordable for many households.' Loh said the livestock sector faces multiple structural constraints, including the rising cost of imported feed such as corn and soy, limited land availability and labour shortages. Agricultural economist Prof Datuk Dr Mad Nasir Shamsudin said despite attempts to integrate livestock rearing in oil palm plantations, uptake from estate operators remains weak. 'We have about nine million hectares of oil palm and there is a huge potential to integrate livestock rearing under oil palm plantations. 'But response from plantation owners hasn't been encouraging.' Other livestock categories show similar under-performance. The SSL for sheep and goat meat remained stagnant at 10.6% in 2023, from 10.9% in 2018. The report also highlighted shortfalls in some vegetable production like round cabbage and chilli, falling below the 50% SSL threshold, although both have shown improvement over the years. The self-sufficiency level for round cabbage increased to 41% in 2023, up from 38.7% in 2018. Chilli rose to 37.1% from 31.9% over the same period, indicating that nearly two-thirds of local demand still relies on imports. According to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's website, a total of RM27.59bil had been allocated to support the agriculture industry since 2021. Loh said there is urgency to attract youths into modern farming as it is a major concern that many farmers are ageing. 'We need to make agriculture more attractive, or in other words, 'sexy',' he said, acknowledging that many young people preferred office jobs or flexible gig work over traditional farming. 'There's a prevailing negative perception of agriculture that must be addressed.' According to Prof Mad Nasir, three strategic pillars must be prioritised, namely policy intervention, technology adoption and facility support . 'Return on investment for food security should not be viewed in ringgit and sen alone. 'Food production delivers social returns which ensure national stability and access to food in times of crisis,' he said. He said that technology, while widely promoted in recent government initiatives, had yet to see widespread uptake. Despite the availability of modern farming tools and systems, he said their adoption remained limited due to gaps in human capital and entrepreneurship. 'We need to treat food production as a business, operated by skilled entrepreneurs who can scale and innovate. 'Look at the oil palm industry and how advanced it has become. More than 70% of production comes from plantations. 'The plantations are commercialised with estate managers, high-tech systems and large listed companies,' he added. Prof Mad Nasir said supportive infrastructure and financing are equally essential to the transformation. He urged financial institutions to become more approachable and responsive. 'We must offer grants and facilities to empower the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.'
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Census sets new benchmark for agricultural sector
KUALA LUMPUR: The findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report are set to become a critical new benchmark for the development and transformation of Malaysia's agricultural sector. Statistics Department chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the insights — gathered through the nationwide census conducted from July 7 to Dec 31 last year, would provide vital input into several key national strategies — including the 13th Malaysia Plan, the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030, the National Agricommodity Policy 2021–2030 and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021–2025. "These findings are not merely statistical data; they reflect the real conditions, challenges and opportunities within the sector," he said after the launch of the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report on Thursday. Gracing the launch event was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister. Also present were Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli. Among the key findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census, Uzir said, was that Malaysia recorded 1,030,020 agriculture holders, with a staggering 97.9 per cent (or 1,008,829) being individual agriculture holders. The remaining 21,191 operations are managed by establishments' agricultural holders. He said the data also indicates that 258,129 agriculture holders are involved in food crop cultivation, including padi, vegetables and fruits. At the same time, 623,365 individuals manage commercial crops such as oil palm and rubber. Additionally, 43,816 agriculture holders are engaged in livestock, 8,407 in aquaculture, 48,267 in fisheries and 7,930 in forestry and logging. In terms of age groups, the largest proportion of individual agricultural holdings is in the 60 years and over category, with 458,263 individuals (45.4 per cent), followed by those aged 46 to 59 years at 326,287 individuals (32.4 per cent). The 31 to 45 years age group accounts for 190,952 individuals (18.9 per cent) while the 15 to 30 years age group represent only 33,207 individuals (3.3 per cent). "The data highlights Malaysia's agricultural sector's strong dependence on older farmers, with 45.4 per cent of agricultural holders aged 60 and above, while only 142,888 youths aged 15 to 40 are active in the industry. "This situation poses serious challenges, such as labour shortages, a slow integration of modern technologies and the urgent need to revitalise the sector. "It is crucial to attract more young people to agricultural careers to safeguard the sector's future sustainability and the country's food security." Uzir said other key takeaways from the census is that establishment agriculture holders recorded much higher productivity than individual agriculture holders such as oil palm, pineapple and cocoa. "This shows the importance of economies of scale, the use of technology and more systematic governance. "Among the main challenges faced by individual agriculture holdings is the limited land area, especially land of less than 2.02ha. "This small land size has a significant impact on the effectiveness of agricultural activities, especially in terms of productivity and yield. "This not only affects farmers' income, but also has implications for the development of the country's agricultural sector as a whole." Uzir said the census also found potential in the cultivation of new crops such as kenaf, Napier and seaweed. Kenaf, for example, has a cultivated area of 1,497.0ha with a production of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier recorded a cultivated area of 1,387.7ha with a production of 35,687 tonnes. "These industries have great potential in terms of value added exports and production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment." Uzir said from the census, crop industries such as coffee, coconut and cocoa have shown a decline in terms of planted area, productivity and the number of active entrepreneurs. "However, the industry retains significant strategic value and can be revitalised through well-planned, modern and integrated approaches." Uzir added that engagement sessions will be organised with stakeholders to discuss the findings of the census. "These sessions serve as a platform to discuss agriculture issues including food security concerns. "It is hoped that all stakeholders including government agencies, research institutions, academia, industry players and farmers can utilise agricultural statistics to the fullest in making evidence-based decisions and contributing to the growth of a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector." During the event, the department also released 15 interim reports encompassing the Interim Report on Agriculture Sector, which presents statistics for the entire agricultural sector, followed by five subsectors; crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as forestry and logging. The remaining 14 reports covered oil palm, rubber, padi, pineapple, kenaf, cocoa, pepper, fruits, vegetables and other crops. The reports covered six key parameters — agricultural holdings profile, area planted, harvested area, quantity of production and sales and sales value. The agriculture census plays a vital role in supporting not only farmers and policymakers, but also businesses within the broader agricultural value chain. Doluvo Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Rose Yasmin Abdul Karim said the data gathered from the census is instrumental in helping companies plan for growth and source raw materials more effectively. As the manufacturer of Popsmalaya, a homegrown brand known for fruit-based ice lollies, Yasmin emphasised the importance of using local ingredients. "One of our key strategies moving forward is to collaborate directly with local farmers through contract manufacturing. "The latest data from the agriculture census helps us make informed decisions that align with our long-term goals," she said. Although not all ingredients — such as berries — are sourced locally, Popsmalaya remains committed to showcasing Malaysian produce, with pineapple emerging as a signature flavour. "When we participate in international trade shows, people are often intrigued by unique flavours like pineapple. Pineapple lollies are still uncommon overseas, which gives us a competitive edge," Yasmin said. Popsmalaya exports to over 30 countries and attributes its global success to support from agencies such as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. Yasmin's sentiment was echoed by Mohd Azhan Fhitri Md Rafi, a sales coordinator at Mascorn Sdn Bhd. "For companies like Mascorn, access to accurate and comprehensive agricultural data enables us to better align with market trends and plan strategically. "It also helps identify emerging needs and opportunities across the sector.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to conduct agriculture census every 10 years
SERDANG: The Agriculture Census will now be conducted every 10 years to ensure baseline data remains relevant and aligned with current and future challenges, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said the move will help strengthen the agricultural sector's data infrastructure. "With the 2024 Agriculture Census, we now have comprehensive and up-to-date baseline data for the sector, something that hasn't been done in over two decades. "This data provides a crucial foundation for evidence-based policymaking, enabling more accurate, inclusive and effective planning, as well as implementation and monitoring," he said in his speech at the launch of the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report today. Also present were Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. The last time Malaysia conducted an Agriculture Census was in 2005. Fadillah said short-term agriculture surveys would also be carried out periodically starting next year to improve data availability and support continuous sector monitoring. Meanwhile, the 2024 Agriculture Census — conducted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia from July 7 to Oct 10 last year — covered households and business organisations involved in agricultural activities. It included food crops and commodities, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as logging and forestry. Fadillah said what was presented in the report was not merely data, but a symbol of the commitment and dedication of all parties involved. Touching on the findings of the 2024 Agriculture Census, Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said 458,395 individuals (45.4 per cent) of agricultural operators are aged 60 and above, while 326,287 (32.3 per cent) are between the ages of 46 and 59. Meanwhile, 224,147 agricultural operators (22.2 per cent) are aged between 15 and 45. "There is a need to rejuvenate the agriculture sector by attracting the participation of the younger generation in this field. "Without a skilled and competitive workforce among the youth, the goal of strengthening national food security and reducing reliance on imports will be difficult to achieve," he said. Fadillah urged all parties, including policymakers and researchers, to leverage the statistics to chart directions and interventions in the agriculture sector, especially in addressing national food security issues. At the event, the Agriculture Products Price Dashboard (MyAgroPrice) was also launched. It is another key initiative for the digitisation of the country's agricultural statistics. The dashboard displays average prices for 60 selected agricultural products across three key stages of the supply chain — farm, wholesale, and retail levels — by state, over a monthly time series from 2020 to 2024. MyAgroPrice adds value for farmers by providing accurate and accessible price information, helping them to better plan marketing strategies and reduce the price information gap among industry players. The dashboard plays an important role for policymakers to monitor price stability, identify market trends, and design more targeted interventions for the well-being of the people and the nation's food security.
