18 Agriculture & Food Securities @ AGROBiz | September-October . 2024
Kelantan ’ s rice yield declines
18 Agriculture & Food Securities @ AGROBiz | September-October . 2024
Sizing up Penang ’ s agri industry
Survey will provide vital info to help farmers optimise operations
Kelantan ’ s rice yield declines
SINCE July 2024 , the Department of Statistics Malaysia ( DOSM ) has been conducting a comprehensive census of agricultural households in Penang in an effort to fortify the Malaysian agriculture sector .
This survey , which encompasses more than 18,000 households , concentrates on critical sectors of the agricultural industry , including aquaculture , fisheries , forestry , livestock and crops . The census will run until October .
According to Malaysia ’ s chief statistician and the 2024 Agriculture Census Commissioner , Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin , this marks the fourth agriculture census carried out by DOSM this year .
Conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( KPKM ) and the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities ( KPK ), the survey is crucial in assessing the state of the agriculture industry .
During an official visit to Penang , Uzir explained : “ This census is part of the government ’ s efforts to evaluate the performance of the agriculture industry .”
He added that the data collected will include vital information on agricultural yields , land ownership , farm sizes , mechanisation , and technology adoption , among others . These insights are crucial for under-
( From left ): Khairolnizam , Mohd Uzir , Policy and Strategic Planning Branch head Ayesha Ismail and Nabilah during the census taking in Penang .
standing the current state of the agriculture sector and improving future planning .
The survey already covers around 65 per cent of agricultural organisations and households in Penang .
It is expected to provide valuable information that will benefit farmers by helping them optimise their operations , streamline their supply chains , and enhance their products .
Additionally , policymakers and industry players will be able to use the data to make informed decisions to develop the sector further . Penang ’ s agricultural contribution to the state ’ s Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) is relatively small at 1.9 per cent , valued at RM2.2 billion .
The fisheries subsector contributes the most , accounting for 40 per cent of the total agricultural output , followed by crops at 33 per cent and livestock at 27 per cent .
Despite some challenges encountered during the census , such as hesitancy from respondents to share agricultural data , DOSM has been working to engage communities more effectively .
Moreover , Uzir called on agricultural organisations in Penang to cooperate fully with the census to ensure accurate and comprehensive data , which is critical for the future sustainability of the sector .
KELANTAN is facing a decline in rice production this year , mainly due to an ongoing dry spell , according to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu .
Efforts to combat the situation , including cloud seeding at Kemubu ’ s water pump house and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority ( Kada ) dam in Salor Pasir Mas , have yet to yield positive outcomes .
“ The hot and dry conditions in Kelantan are so severe that while it rains in Kuala Lumpur , it does not fall in the areas where it is most needed . We are working on cloud seeding and are also considering deepening the water pump area at the Kemubu dam to address this issue ,” Mohamad Sabu stated .
To develop a sustainable solution , Mohamad Sabu pointed to the need for significant investments in irrigation , particularly in critical areas such as Kemubu and Kada .
Despite the current difficulties , he reassured that Malaysia ’ s overall rice supply remains stable , with the national stock standing at 1,128,165 metric tonnes as of June 18 . This supply is expected to cover the nation ’ s needs for the next five to six months .
Meanwhile , Kada Chairman Muhammad Husain mentioned that although Kada was the secondlargest rice-producing region in Malaysia , its yield - 4.1 metric tonnes per hectare – lagged behind other vital areas like northwest Selangor , which produces 4.32 metric tonnes per hectare , and Penang , which reaches 5.05 metric tonnes .
Terengganu ’ s budget boosted
THE allocation for Terengganu ’ s agricultural development has been significantly increased to RM69.97 million this year , a substantial rise from last year ’ s RM33.13 million .
This boost aims to support the national food security strategy , particularly benefiting Terengganu .
Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup emphasised that the federal government ’ s enhanced support reflects its commitment to the agricultural sector ’ s growth and security .
“ This increase highlights our commitment to agricultural development across all States , transcending political lines ,” Kurup stated .
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( MAFS ) has also earmarked RM10.06 million for a cooperation programme to optimise land use and strengthen food security . This funding will support
12 projects spanning agriculture , animal husbandry , and fisheries .
During the State-level Mega Agro MADANI Sale Carnival on Aug 29 , 2024 , held at Gong Badak Sports Complex , Kurup distributed RM2.04 million in grants to 210 local agricultural entrepreneurs .
He highlighted that the Agro MADANI Sales program , exceeding its target with over 10,000 sales events , has saved RM56 million on goods and supported around 21.34
Arthur Joseph Kurup ( centre ) at the Mega Agro MADANI Sale Carnival 2024 .
million households nationwide . In Terengganu alone , the programme has achieved RM5.91 million in sales .