Latest news with #2024AgriculturalCensus
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
DOSM agricultural census identifies kenaf, Napier grass, seaweed as high-potential crops
SERDANG: The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497ha with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. "These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment," he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. "For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. "The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one," he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad. "Kedah and Penang are the main states for capture fisheries on the northwest coast, with high fish landing numbers, known for deep-sea fishing as well as landings of pelagic fish such as kembung (mackerel), selar (scad) and tongkol (skipjack)," he said. He said that overall, the census also showed that the total number of individual agricultural holdings consisted of 753,139 men (74.7 per cent), while 255,690 (25.3 per cent) were women. As the next step, Mohd Uzir said a consultation session will be organised with various stakeholders to discuss the census findings "This session will serve as a platform to discuss related agricultural issues, including food security, and it is hoped that all parties can fully utilise agricultural statistics in decision-making and contribute to the sustainable and competitive growth of the agricultural sector," he added. – Bernama
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
DOSM 2024 Agricultural Census Identifies Kenaf, Napier Grass, Seaweed As High-potential Crops
SERDANG, May 29 (Bernama) -- The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin. Mohd Uzir said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497.0 hectares (ha) with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7 ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. 'These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment," he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. 'For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one," he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kenaf, Napier grass, seaweed named high-potential crops by DOSM
SERDANG: The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin. Mohd Uzir said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497.0 hectares (ha) with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7 ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. 'These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment,' he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. 'For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one,' he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad. 'Kedah and Penang are the main states for capture fisheries on the northwest coast, with high fish landing numbers, known for deep-sea fishing as well as landings of pelagic fish such as kembung (mackerel), selar (scad) and tongkol (skipjack),' he said. He said that overall, the census also showed that the total number of individual agricultural holdings consisted of 753,139 men (74.7 per cent), while 255,690 (25.3 per cent) were women. As the next step, Mohd Uzir said a consultation session will be organised with various stakeholders to discuss the census findings 'This session will serve as a platform to discuss related agricultural issues, including food security, and it is hoped that all parties can fully utilise agricultural statistics in decision-making and contribute to the sustainable and competitive growth of the agricultural sector,' he added.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
DOSM 2024 Agricultural Census identifies kenaf, Napier grass, seaweed as high-potential crops
SERDANG: The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin. Mohd Uzir said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497.0 hectares (ha) with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7 ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. 'These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment,' he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. 'For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one,' he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad. 'Kedah and Penang are the main states for capture fisheries on the northwest coast, with high fish landing numbers, known for deep-sea fishing as well as landings of pelagic fish such as kembung (mackerel), selar (scad) and tongkol (skipjack),' he said. He said that overall, the census also showed that the total number of individual agricultural holdings consisted of 753,139 men (74.7 per cent), while 255,690 (25.3 per cent) were women. As the next step, Mohd Uzir said a consultation session will be organised with various stakeholders to discuss the census findings 'This session will serve as a platform to discuss related agricultural issues, including food security, and it is hoped that all parties can fully utilise agricultural statistics in decision-making and contribute to the sustainable and competitive growth of the agricultural sector,' he added.
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
DPM Fadillah: Agricultural census to be conducted every 10 years
SERDANG — The agricultural census will be implemented every 10 years, to ensure the baseline data is always relevant to current needs and future challenges, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (picture). Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Agricultural Census Interim Report here today, Fadillah said short-term agricultural surveys will also be implemented periodically starting in 2026 to strengthen data availability and support continuous monitoring of the country's agricultural sector. 'Through the implementation of the 2024 Agricultural Census, the country now has comprehensive and up-to-date baseline data on the agricultural sector, which was last collected more than two decades ago. 'This is an important basis for policy formulation based on statistical evidence, thus strengthening accurate, inclusive and effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the agricultural sector,' he said. The 2024 Agricultural Census conducted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) provides basic data on the profile of agricultural holdings such as demographic information, agricultural yields, input costs, farm size, land use and ownership, mechanisation and use of technology. It can be used in formulating short and long-term policies and programmes besides increasing food security, productivity and promoting sustainable agriculture. Touching on the findings of the 2024 Agricultural Census, Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said that 458,395 people (45.4 per cent) of individual agricultural entrepreneurs are aged 60 and above while 326,287 people (32.3 per cent) aged 46 to 59 years. Individual agricultural entrepreneurs aged 15 to 45 years numbered 224,147 people (22.2 per cent). 'Clearly there is a need to rejuvenate the agricultural sector by attracting the participation of the younger generation in this sector. 'Without a skilled and competitive workforce among the younger generation, the target of strengthening the country's food security and reducing dependence on imports is difficult to achieve,' he said. Therefore, he stressed that strategic measures such as increasing incentives, introducing modern technology and improving perceptions of careers in the agricultural sector need to be mobilised comprehensively to ensure sustainability in the agricultural sector. Fadillah also suggested that all parties, both at the policy-making and researcher levels, should utilise the statistics to formulate directions and appropriate interventions in the agricultural sector, especially in addressing the issue of national food security. At the event, the Agricultural Product Price Dashboard (MyAgroPrice) was also launched, which is another important initiative for the digitalisation of the country's agricultural statistics. The dashboard displays the average prices of 60 selected agricultural products, covering three main stages, namely the supply chain, farm, wholesale and retail by state for a monthly time series period from 2020 to 2024. MyAgroPrice provides added value to farmers by providing accurate and accessible price information, thus helping them plan marketing strategies better and reducing the price information gap between industry players. At the same time, the dashboard plays an important role for policymakers to monitor price stability, identify market trends and design more targeted interventions for the well-being of the people and the country's food security. Also present were Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and Chief Statistician of Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. — BERNAMA
