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P18-P19 | PLANTATION & COMMODITIES All eyes on bamboo The Malaysian Timber Industry Board( MTIB) continues to explore bamboo’ s potential in value-added downstream products. |
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BUDGET 2026 has earned praise for being“ The Rakyat’ s Budget”, and for its unprecedented RM2.62 billion allocation to agricultural subsidiesthe largest in Malaysia’ s history.
It’ s a powerful statement that food security and rural livelihoods remain national priorities. Yet, beyond the big numbers lies a crucial question- will the impact truly reach those working the land?
Labour shortage continues to be the elephant in the room.
Every year, funds are promised, yet many farmers still face delays in getting the help they need. Big irrigation projects and subsidy plans often take time to trickle down to the ground.
The challenge, as always, lies not in allocation but in execution. Without better coordination and follow-through, the good intentions in this Budget risk being lost along the way.
Mechanisation and automation incentives are good in theory, but they can’ t make up for a shrinking, ageing farming community that also relies heavily on a foreign workforce.
Despite all the emphasis on technology, the Budget still lacks a clear plan to attract and retain young Malaysians in agriculture. Without new talent, the sector risks hollowing out.
The commodity sector remains another blind spot. While sustainability certification efforts such as MSPO are commendable, more is needed to stabilise incomes for those at the mercy of market fluctuations. When prices drop, smallholders feel the pinch first- and these new measures offer little to cushion that impact.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’ s food import dependency remains largely unaddressed— a structural challenge that no subsidy can resolve without measurable self-sufficiency targets.
Budget 2026 presents substantial numbers, but these alone won’ t fix a system built on inefficiency and dependency. It needs enforcement, transparency, and clear targets that hold ministries accountable.
Without those, the promises made in Parliament will stay precisely where they began— on paper.
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