04 LOCAL NEWS @ AGROBiz | July-August. 2025
Grain alliance
04 LOCAL NEWS @ AGROBiz | July-August. 2025
QUALITY STARTS HERE: Ensuring certified seed quality is critical to improving crop output and farmer livelihoods.
Grain alliance
Bill for better seeds
FARMERS may soon have stronger legal protection when purchasing crop seeds, with the Crop Seed Quality Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament next year, according to the Department of Agriculture( DOA).
DOA Director-General Datuk Nor Sam Alwi revealed that the proposed bill is currently in its stakeholder engagement phase. Industry players are being consulted to ensure that the legislation effectively upholds farmers’ rights, particularly in securing highquality seeds for cultivation.
“ This act is a good initiative to ensure that farmers only purchase quality seeds, as currently, they have no proper channel to complain if they get seeds that are of poor quality or not as specified,” he said during a Press conference held after the launch of the Department’ s Plant Subsector Development Symposium 2025.
He also pointed out that existing legal frameworks do not provide a precise mechanism for addressing those who sell substandard seeds, leaving farmers vulnerable in the marketplace.
He added:“ So far, we do not have a specific act that follows us to act against those selling poor-quality seeds.”
The symposium, aimed at driving advancements in Malaysia’ s plant-based agricultural sectors, was officiated by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri
Mohamad Sabu.
Addressing attendees in his opening remarks, Mohamad explained that the government is actively refining seed-related legislation to close legal loopholes and protect farmers from being misled by counterfeit or low-grade seed sellers.
“ Although some farmers have raised concerns over this seed law, rest assured that the changes are not meant to pressure them, but rather to protect and safeguard their interests, in line with the ministry’ s ongoing efforts,” he said.
While consultations are still ongoing, the ministry is confident that the new law will benefit both smallholders and commercial growers once it is enacted.
VIETNAM is moving to finalise a rice trade agreement with Indonesia in a bid to stabilise its export outlook after facing a steep decline in shipments.
The announcement came shortly after Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Brazil.
Exports to Indonesia, once a key buyer, dropped 97 per cent in the first half of the year to just 19,000 metric tonnes. The sharp decline has been attributed to Indonesia’ s substantial domestic rice reserves.
Vietnam’ s government said the agreement would support“ long-term and sustainable rice exports for Vietnam” while helping to“ ensure food security for Indonesia.”
Chinh also pledged to have Vietnam’ s trade ministry work with Indonesian authorities to open both markets further and strengthen bilateral trade ties.
Vietnam is currently the world’ s third-largest rice exporter, after India and Thailand.
Napier’ s growing value
NAPIER grass is fast emerging as a valuable crop in Malaysia’ s agricultural landscape, with the potential to slash livestock feeding costs by up to 30 per cent, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia( DOSM)
Chief Statistician Datuk Sri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the high-yield perennial grass is gaining popularity among ruminant farmers seeking more affordable alternatives to conventional livestock feed such as pellets and bran.
“ Napier grass costs significantly less than commercial livestock feed. Dried Napier grass is priced at just around 30 sen per kilogram. In comparison, commercial feed can go over 50 sen per kilogramme,” he said during the launch of the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report for Negeri Sembilan.
The findings of the census also highlighted the versatility of Napier grass, as it is now being tapped not only as animal fodder but also as a source for biomass and renewable energy applications.
Uzir added:“ Overall, Napier grass shows strong promise in boosting Malaysia’ s livestock sector.”
Kedah leads in Napier grass cultivation with 363.5 hectares planted, followed by Terengganu( 276.6 hectares) and Negeri Sembilan( 267.9 hectares).
In total, 1,388 hectares have been planted across the country, according to census data.
Uzir also reaffirmed agriculture’ s integral role in Malaysia’ s economy and food security framework, noting its contributions in reducing import dependency, supporting agro-based industries, and creating job opportunities.
“ The sector also significantly reduces our reliance on imports, supports processing industries, generates employment, and boosts household income, particularly among farmers,” he said.
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who officiated the event, reported positive developments in the state’ s agriculture sector.
After a downturn in 2023, the
FROM GRASS TO GROWTH: This fast-growing grass has become a key part of Malaysia’ s sustainable agriculture strategy.
sector rebounded strongly with a 9.8 per cent growth in 2024, driven primarily by gains in the crops subsector, notably palm oil.
He explained:“ This clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of strategies implemented under the Negeri Sembilan Development Plan( RPNS) and the positive impact of the state-led Agropolis initiative”.
Aminuddin also noted that the state’ s economy continued to show resilience, with the services and manufacturing sectors recording growth of 4.3 and 3.9 per cent, respectively.- @ AGROBiz