Minister hands out 300 Sabah avocados to MPs, media
Tawau Municipal Council member Philip Yap Wui Lip said the distribution was part of efforts to promote local produce through Top Borneo Sdn Bhd, which operates the avocado farm under the brand Borneocado.
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New Straits Times
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Chicken egg prices in Kedah stable despite subsidy removal
ALOR STAR: Supplies and prices of chicken eggs across various grades have remained stable in Kedah, despite the discontinuation of the egg subsidy. Checks by the "New Straits Times" at urban hypermarkets in Alor Star and Padang Terap found no noticeable price hikes or disruptions in supply. Taman Saga Mydin Hypermarket assistant manager Anuar Abu Hassan said the only difference following the removal of the subsidy was the lifting of purchase limits that were previously imposed. "Previously, due to subsidy controls, customers were limited to buying two trays of 30 eggs per person. "Since the subsidy ended, that restriction has been lifted, prices have not changed and supply remains stable. "There has been no panic buying or complaints. Prices are affordable," he said at the hypermarket in Alor Star. As of today, the hypermarket lists Grade A eggs at RM12.60 per tray of 30 eggs, Grade B at RM11.99, Grade C at RM10.99, and Grade D at RM9.99. In Simpang Kuala, a wholesaler who wished to be known only as Tan, said prices and supplies of eggs have remained unchanged since the removal of price controls. "Prices are now based on supply and demand since the subsidy ended. So far, the situation has been stable," she said, adding that Grade A eggs were priced at RM12.30 per tray of 30 eggs at her store. In Kuala Nerang, wholesaler Zulkifli Shuib, 35, said supplies for Grade B chicken eggs were ample, adding that there have been no price changes at the wholesale level or from producers. "We're selling at RM11.40 per tray of 30 eggs for Grade B. So far, there's been no difference in prices, and supply has been consistent throughout Padang Terap," he said. Sundry store employee Yusuf Zahir, 41, said retail prices of eggs in Kuala Nerang town had remained stable. He said Grade C eggs were priced at RM11.40 for a tray of 30, while Grade B and Grade A eggs were sold at RM12 and RM12.60 per tray, respectively. On April 30, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry announced that the egg subsidy would be discontinued starting Aug 1. The decision was made after factoring in the industry's commitment to ensuring a stable and sufficient egg supply following the stabilisation of production costs.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
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NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP
THE 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has big ideas for the agrofood sector. High time, we say. It has been treated as a stepchild since the country transitioned to manufacturing in the 1980s. That should change by 2030, when the 13MP reforms the sector, leading to RM58 billion in value creation. Self-sufficiency rates are also being scaled up to 80 per cent for rice, 98 per cent for fisheries, 83 per cent for fruits, 79 per cent for vegetables, 140 per cent for poultry, 123 per cent for eggs and 50 per cent for beef and buffalo meat. Ambitious? Yes, given that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has to hit the targets within five years, on top of resolving numerous issues plaguing the agrofood sector. Surely, an unenviable task. Land is a big ticket item, with most of what is available being devoted to industrial crops such as oil palm and rubber, because they are more profitable. In 2020, 7.6 million hectares of arable land was used for agriculture, of which 5.2 million was dedicated to industrial crops. Little wonder, our Asean neighbours' agrofood products are everywhere. Former director of Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Rozhan Abu Dardak, provides another reason why this is so in his article published in the Food and Fertilizer Technology Centre Agricultural Policy Platform website on April 14: Vietnam dedicated 33 million hectares for rice cultivation. Thailand 9.2 million hectares, Indonesia 10.6 million hectares and the Philippines 5.6 million hectares. What about Malaysia? Of the 996,950ha dedicated to the agrofood sector, only 373,383ha is being used to cultivate rice. The rest is used for growing fruits, other food crops and vegetables, the last, a measly 64,220ha to work on. If that is not enough, the agrofood sector has to compete with industries and housing for land. More land for agrofood should certainly be a reform to aim for. There is one reality our policymakers often miss. Malaysia is a land of small things. Like the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that dominate the country's economy, so do small-scale farms. According to Rozhan, more than 90 per cent of Malaysian farmers own small plots of land, averaging 2.5ha per person. Logically, bigger means better yields. But that doesn't mean technology can't be made to work on small plots to increase yields. Like we have learnt to live with SMEs, we must learn to live with small-scale farms. What the agrofood sector reform should focus on are the farms themselves: the what and how of the trade. The skyrocketing prices of farm inputs, too, are making farming a challenging vocation. Farmers need help. Providing subsidies to those who deserve it is one way. The 13MP's move to incentivise young agroentrepreneurs takes the reform to a good place. We are a nation of old farmers, most of whom are in their 60s. At that age, farming is a struggle. Malaysians will be keeping a keen eye on the agrofood sector reforms, because what happens in the farms will determine whether or not we have home-grown food on the table.
New Straits Times
02-08-2025
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Malaysia to host 4th World Irrigation Forum on climate, irrigation and sustainability
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia will host the 4th World Irrigation Forum (WIF4) and the 76th International Executive Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 7 to 13. The forum will bring together global leaders, technical experts and policymakers from 24 countries to address pressing issues in climate change impacts and water resource management in agriculture. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the high-level international gathering, to be held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, is a strategic avenue to discuss critical challenges in the global irrigation sector and the need for sustainable modernisation of irrigation systems. One of the highlights of WIF4 will be the High-Level Advisory Group Meeting, which is expected to produce policy recommendations and a global roadmap to strengthen the role of irrigation in ensuring world food security. Speaking at the pre-launch of WIF4 and the 76th International Executive Council Meeting in conjunction with the National Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) 2025 here today, Mohamad described Malaysia's selection as host as an international recognition of the country's expertise in irrigation, agricultural drainage and water resource management. Also present were Farmers' Organisation Authority chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar, and Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's Irrigation and Agricultural Drainage Division director Yuslina Mohd Sani. Mohamad said the forum is expected to draw more than 1,000 participants from over 30 countries, including government representatives, research institutions, international organisations, the private sector and farming communities. More than 100 presentations will be delivered, covering comprehensive discussions across the forum's four sub-themes. He highlighted that this year's theme, "Is Irrigation a Sunset Industry?", is particularly significant in reassessing the relevance and future of the irrigation sector in the era of climate change and digital technology. "This theme not only paves the way for critical discussions, but also encourages us to explore new approaches and innovations to ensure the irrigation sector remains relevant, productive and sustainable. "The forum will provide an important avenue for sharing best practices and learning from international experiences in strengthening the country's irrigation sector," he said, adding that it also bridges the gap between practical field experience with scientific research, while promoting stronger international cooperation. Mohamad urged all participants, including policymakers, researchers, engineers and agro-entrepreneurs, to take the initiative in building robust collaborative networks to accelerate the implementation of high-impact projects. He also called on them to seize the opportunity to explore and adopt the latest technologies and innovative practices that can enhance the precision and efficiency of irrigation, encouraging open and constructive dialogue to formulate policy recommendations and practical measures to address future challenges. Mohamad said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has taken proactive steps to transform the irrigation sector by introducing modern technologies such as precision agriculture, the use of Internet of Things (IoT) in smart irrigation systems, and integrated approaches to sustainable water resource management for irrigation, agricultural drainage and water supply, all aimed at strengthening the agri-food sector.
