Kenaf industry lacks full ecosystem, govt to learn from Bangladesh and China
KOTA BARU: Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said today the government plans to send the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) board of directors to kenaf-exporting countries to study the crop's processing methods and related industries.
He said the move, part of a five-year plan, would provide justification for LKTN to remain the lead agency to develop the kenaf industry.
"If a commodity does not have a successful ecosystem, it will not succeed. Kenaf still does not have a complete ecosystem. Furthermore, the land currently planted with kenaf is small — about 1,600 hectares.
"To succeed in the kenaf industry, we need strong support, particularly in terms of land, processing factories, and a clear target for the types of products to be produced from kenaf," he added.
Speaking to reporters after launching two new varieties — Malaysia Kenaf 1 (MK1) and Malaysia Kenaf 2 (MK2) here today, Johari said kenaf has the potential to be turned into many different products, but success would require specific skills.
"Without the necessary skills, it will be difficult. I have made several suggestions to the Kenaf Board, including learning from the success stories of palm oil, rubber, and cocoa — commodities that have become major national exports.
"One of the suggestions is to send LKTN's board of directors to countries such as Bangladesh and China, where kenaf production and processing are more established," he added.
Johari said Bangladesh and China mainly focus on simple kenaf processing but have successfully built strong industries around it.
"Kenaf has not yet reached the level of palm oil, rubber, or cocoa, so we need to learn more to develop and promote the industry.
"Through these visits, we can understand the processes and skills involved and adapt them locally," he said.
Johari added that the ministry is awaiting a presentation from the Kenaf Board's director-general before finalising the visit plans.
Also present at the event were Plantation and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof and LKTN chairman Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Over 34,000 foreign worker quotas approved to tackle plantation labour shortage
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 34,000 foreign worker recruitment quotas for the plantation sector have been recommended for approval to address the industry's manpower shortage, says Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He said that the quotas, covering 434 companies, had been approved on a case-by-case basis as of July 9, 2025. "This special approval is expected to help meet the labour shortfall and, in turn, boost productivity and national output. The ministry remains committed to ensuring that labour needs in the plantation sector are always sufficient to support optimal economic growth," he said in a parliamentary written reply. Johari added that as of June this year, there were 258,153 active holders of the Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) in the plantation sector. However, the number remains insufficient, with the industry reporting an additional need for between 30,000 and 40,000 workers. Johari (BN–Titiwangsa) was responding to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH–Beruas), who had enquired about the total number of workers required for the plantation sector, particularly in oil palm and rubber. Ngeh had also asked about the foreign worker quota granted to address the labour shortage. Johari said that the agri-commodity sector, especially the oil palm plantation industry, was heavily reliant on foreign labour, with more than 70 per cent of its workforce comprising foreign workers. "This is because work in the sector falls under the 3D category — dirty, dangerous, and difficult — making it less attractive to local workers," he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Rubber land consolidation progresses to boost local rubber industry
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities has confirmed that the clustering and consolidation of small-scale rubber plots are progressing well. Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani stated that discussions with smallholders have been held to explore land management solutions. He highlighted that this initiative could reduce Malaysia's reliance on imported rubber, which hit 1.1 million metric tonnes last year. 'These smallholdings are in the process of consolidation. We have held discussions with them (the smallholders) and if they are not interested in managing their land, they can lease it to the Malaysian Rubber Board so that we can manage it together with the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda),' he said. Johari spoke after launching the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2025 ceremony at the ministry. Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin and ministry staff were also present at the event. Johari added that the government will enhance replanting efforts for all commodity sectors under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). 'The replanting programme will be given emphasis under the 13MP to help smallholders and to serve as a recurring source of income for the country,' he said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently emphasised agri-commodity development, including oil palm, rubber, and cocoa, as key economic drivers. - Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Johari: Reviving idle rubber land to cut RM7bil import bill
KUALA LUMPUR: The consolidation of smallholder rubber plantations is progressing well, with ongoing efforts to revive idle plots and reduce Malaysia's reliance on imported rubber, says Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He said the ministry, in collaboration with the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), was working to identify smallholder-owned plots that were no longer being cultivated and bring them under joint management. "We are in discussions with landowners. If they are no longer working their land, they can lease it to MRB so that we can manage it together with Risda. This will enable us to restart production and reduce rubber imports," he told reporters after officiating at the ministry's 2025 Independence Month and Kibar Jalur Gemilang launch ceremony here today. Johari said that Malaysia, once the world's leading rubber exporter, now produced only about 350,000 metric tonnes annually, while importing 1.1 million metric tonnes to meet domestic demand. He urged those no longer cultivating their land to cooperate with the relevant agencies to ensure it could be replanted with rubber. "This initiative is ongoing. Anyone with idle land can come forward, and we will work together to cultivate it. I can already see an increase in local rubber production compared with before, but there is still a long way to go," he said. Johari added that the initiative formed part of the government's commitment under the current Malaysia Plan to revitalise the commodities sector. "This includes replanting programmes and other assistance to help smallholders increase yields, ensuring rubber remains a sustainable source of income and export revenue for the country." On June 14, Johari announced that the ministry was developing a strategy to consolidate smallholder rubber plots into larger, systematically managed estates, in an effort to curb the country's dependence on imported natural rubber. He stressed that the initiative was vital, as Malaysia continued to import about RM7 billion worth of natural rubber annually despite having the domestic capacity to produce it. The land consolidation plan, Johari said, would be implemented in phases, starting with areas showing strong development potential.
