Latest news with #NationalAgrofoodPolicy2.0
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
DOSM: Ageing farmers in Sarawak highlight need to attract youth to agriculture
Dr Rundi (centre), Mohd Uzir (second right), Martin (second left) and others pose with the Sarawak-level Agriculture Census Interim Report 2024 book. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 9): The ageing workforce in Sarawak's agriculture sector must be urgently addressed by increasing youth participation, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Sarawak. In a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the Sarawak-level Agriculture Census Interim Report 2024 today, the department said the findings from the census underscored the need to strengthen the support ecosystem for farmers, especially in areas such as skills training, technology transfer and productivity enhancement. 'This situation also calls for the implementation of comprehensive and integrated policies in line with the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (NAP 2.0), which emphasises food security, sustainability and competitiveness in the agrofood sector,' DOSM said. The report was launched by State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. DOSM Sarawak reported that a total of 147,414 agricultural holdings were recorded in the state as of 2023, with 98.6 per cent (145,378 holdings) individually owned and 1.4 per cent (2,036 holdings) held by organisations. Nearly all the individuals involved in agriculture (99.9 per cent) were Malaysian citizens, and 80 per cent were male. In terms of age distribution, 43.6 per cent of individual holdings were owned by those aged 60 and above, while 37.3 per cent were owned by individuals aged 46 to 59, further illustrating the sector's ageing demographic. Meanwhile, the report reaffirmed that oil palm remains Sarawak's dominant commodity, contributing 79 per cent to the total value of the state's agriculture sector. At the national level, oil palm generated RM83.30 billion in sales in 2023, with Sarawak accounting for RM18.61 billion or 22.3 per cent of the national total. Also present were DOSM chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, who is also the 2024 Agriculture Census commissioner, and State Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development, Datuk Martin Ben. agriculture DOSM Dr Stephen Rundi Utom elderly farmers lead youth
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.'
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Ministry strengthening nation's food security
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's food security remains relatively robust but rising costs, climate risks and dependence on imports continue to test the country's food resilience, said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. A ministry spokesman told theSun that while over 90% of domestic demand for poultry and fish is met through local production, the country remains significantly reliant on imported staples, particularly rice, beef and certain vegetables. 'The ministry is intensifying efforts to strengthen Malaysia's food system through infrastructure improvements, technology adoption and coordinated policy measures.' According to the 2023 Global Food Security Index, Malaysia ranks 41st out of 113 countries – behind regional leaders like Singapore and Japan. The ministry cited limited agricultural land and high reliance on imported staples as key vulnerabilities. 'For rice, the self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) stands at 56.2%, meaning that just over half of the national requirement is met locally. The goal is to raise this to 80% by 2030 under the National Agrofood Policy 2.0. 'Vegetables have a lower SSR of 45.4%, though local needs are substantially met through crops like kangkung, sawi and okra. However, temperate vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and cauliflower are import-dependent due to climatic and cost-related constraints. 'In the meat sector, poultry leads with an SSR ratio of 90.2% but beef and mutton lag behind significantly at 15.9% and 10.6%, respectively, while dairy products are at 66.8%.' The ministry said initiatives are in progress to improve these figures with support from both government funding and private investments. It said Malaysia's vulnerability to global disruptions is relatively low but the country remains dependent on imported inputs such as fertilisers, feed and seeds for certain commodities. It added that the country is currently increasing local production of shallots and maize. 'To future-proof Malaysia's food supply system and prepare for an estimated population of 40 to 42 million by 2050, several forward-looking strategies must be adopted. 'These include embracing smart agriculture and precision farming across crops, livestock and fisheries, and promoting sustainable approaches such as regenerative agriculture and the circular economy.' The ministry called on state governments to allocate land for agriculture while the federal government is focusing on providing funding, support and policy direction to reduce imports and increase local production. It added that expanding vertical and urban farming would help maximise yields in limited spaces, and innovation in aquaculture could ensure sustainable protein sources. 'Investing in youth, women and tech-savvy agropreneurs is just as vital, along with establishing strategic food reserves and building a robust agrofood database to enable data-driven policymaking. 'To enhance self-sufficiency and reduce import dependence, Malaysia must modernise farming with smart technology, advance crop and livestock research, expand agroparks and contract farming, encourage youth participation as well as seek alternative animal feed to reduce reliance on imported grain.' The National Agrofood Policy 2.0 and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan (2021–2025) provide a comprehensive framework focused on improving productivity, climate resilience, supply chain efficiency and farmer livelihoods.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia, as Asean Chair, to spearhead regional sustainable agriculture, food security
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is strategically positioned to spearhead regional initiatives in sustainable agriculture as the 2025 Asean Chair. Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said by focusing on slow food, local sourcing, and climate-smart farming, Malaysia is not only protecting its heritage but also future-proofing food systems. 'This reaffirms our commitment to the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 – a comprehensive policy built to modernise Malaysia's agrofood sector and secure our food resilience for generations. 'The agrofood sector contributes not just to GDP but to the daily well-being of every Malaysian household,' he said at the International Café and Beverage Show 2025 (ICBS 2025) and MyFood 2025 today. Isham pointed out that the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 lays out a bold vision, which is to transform Malaysia's agrofood system into one that is resilient, sustainable, technologically advanced, and inclusive. Five strategic thrusts support this transformation – modernisation and smart agriculture, market and product development, human capital empowerment, sustainable and resilient food systems, and conducive business environment and governance. 'For 2025, we are prioritising the reformation of the paddy and rice industry, including upgrading paddy fields and restructuring the value chain. 'Our aim is to improve productivity, raise farmers' income, and ensure a rice supply chain that can weather global volatility and climate threats. We are also working to boost the productivity of the ruminant subsector and attract greater private sector participation in high-value areas such as aquaculture, floriculture and fruits. 'A thriving local agriculture base is the foundation of export readiness. As we strengthen domestic production, we are naturally better positioned to tap into export markets – especially with premium products like durian, edible bird's nest, and ornamental fish, which already enjoy global demand,' Isham said. He noted that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's export facilitation initiatives have yielded remarkable outcomes. He pointed out that in 2021, 296 Malaysian companies and 335 stock-keeping units (SKUs) were successfully introduced to international markets through various food expos around the globe. 'By 2024, these figures had soared to 2,704 companies and 3,838 SKUs, an impressive leap that reflects the rising global recognition of Malaysian agrofood excellence. In the years to come, I am confident that we will witness an upsurge in these figures as more of our local food producers penetrate the global market,' he said. As Malaysia pushes toward a more competitive agrofood industry, quality and trust become the nation's strongest differentiators, Isham said. 'That is why we continue to champion 'Malaysia's Best', a commitment to quality assurance and sustainable practices across the agrofood supply chain. From MyGAP to MyOrganic, and from Fama's Good Practice Labelling to globally accepted traceability systems, our certifications are not only benchmarks of safety and integrity but also symbols of Malaysian excellence.' Isham said through platforms such as MyFood, Malaysia can forge powerful collaborations between government, industry, academia, NGOs and agropreneurs and co-create solutions that are scalable, inclusive and future-focused. 'More than just a domestic showcase, an event like MyFood has also emerged as a catalyst in elevating Malaysia's agrofood identity on the global stage. By highlighting high-quality, value-added products, it opens up international markets for our local producers and enhances Malaysia's reputation as a reliable source of premium agro-based goods,' he added.
