Latest news with #2024AgricultureCensus
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Sabah Records Highest Agricultural Holdings In Malaysia
SOOK, July 18 (Bernama) -- The interim report of the 2024 Agriculture Census shows that Sabah recorded the highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia, with a total of 159,259. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the agricultural holdings refer to the number of individuals or organisations engaged in the agricultural sector, with Sabah's interior zone — comprising the districts of Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, Tambunan and Tenom — accounting for 26 per cent of the state's total agricultural holdings. 'This number is expected to increase further given the vast potential of undeveloped agricultural land in the interior areas,' he said when launching the Road to National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day (HPPNK) 2025 Series 2 here today. In response to this development, he said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, through its various agencies, has stepped up efforts to boost the agricultural sector in the interior areas. 'These efforts include the establishment of the Sook Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK); setting up a coffee processing facility in Sapulut, Nabawan; restoring padi fields in Tulid; and cultivating taro and onions in Sook. We are also working to introduce high market-potential crops such as MD2 pineapples,' he said. Arthur said the federal government, together with the state government, remains committed to strengthening the agricultural sector through policy planning, technical support programmes and rural infrastructure investments to continuously enhance agri-food productivity. 'As the lead agency for agri-food marketing services in the country, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) plays a key role in strengthening the agri-food security chain by focusing on accessibility and affordability for consumers, supply availability, as well as usage stability and sustainability,' he said. He said that last year, Sabah FAMA was allocated RM13.8 million for the implementation of 313 projects and programmes, benefiting over 29,000 entrepreneurs and contributing to sales worth RM83 million. 'With the upgrading of tamu (rural markets), strengthening of retail outlet networks, and strategic engagement with farmers and operators at the grassroots level, FAMA is confident that Sabah can become one of the key pillars in the national food security agenda,' he added.
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah No 1 agricultural sector contributor
Published on: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 17, 2025 Text Size: Dr Jeffrey said of the total, the crop subsector accounted for the highest number of holdings at 140,018, followed by capture fisheries (14,903), livestock (2,242), aquaculture (2,164) and forestry and logging (162). Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded the highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia, with a total of 159,259, continuing its position as one of the country's top contributors to the agricultural sector. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan said of the total, the crop subsector accounted for the highest number of holdings at 140,018, followed by capture fisheries (14,903), livestock (2,242), aquaculture (2,164) and forestry and logging (162). Advertisement 'The State contributes 17.4 per cent of the total crop subsector sales value, placing it among the top four states nationally. 'Sabah is also ranked in the top three states for capture fisheries (13.8 per cent) and for forestry and logging (19.6 per cent),' he said during the launch of the Sabah State Interim Report of the 2024 Agriculture Census on Tuesday. Jeffrey, who is also State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, added that the 2024 Agriculture Census data revealed that more than 70 per cent of the State's agricultural holdings are operated by individuals aged 46 and above. He said about 35 per cent of individual holders reported having no formal qualifications or certifications, offering a clear profile of the current farming community in Sabah. 'This report not only provides a comprehensive overview of the current agricultural landscape but also serves as a vital foundation in formulating impactful policies and strategies,' he said. In 2023, Sabah recorded a total planted area of 1.782 million hectares, with the majority cultivated by agricultural organisations. 'This reflects the significant role of organisations and companies in shaping the State's agricultural landscape, which is dominated by commodity crops, particularly oil palm. 'Of the total planted area, 1.574 million hectares or 88.3 per cent were harvested areas,' he said. Chief Statistician of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, said in addition to conducting the Agriculture Census every 10 years to strengthen the national agricultural statistics system, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will introduce a short-term agricultural survey in 2026 to ensure the data remains relevant and responsive to current trends. 'Following the 2024 Agriculture Census, DOSM has developed an integrated agriculture statistics system portal known as TaniStats,' he said. According to the census report, Keningau recorded the highest number of individual agricultural holders in Sabah with 14,100, followed by Ranau (12,862) and Kota Marudu (12,627). In terms of sales value, Kinabatangan topped the list with RM4.15 billion, followed by Tawau (RM3.93 billion) and Lahad Datu (RM3.50 billion). * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah records highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia
Jeffrey (seated centre) at the launching ceremony of Interim Report of the 2024 Sabah Agriculture Census released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) on Tuesday. KOTA KINABALU (July 15): Sabah has the highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia, recording a total of 159,259, according to the Interim Report of the 2024 Sabah Agriculture Census released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) on Tuesday. The launching ceremony of the report was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister I cum Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). Also present was Chief Statistician of Malaysia and Commissioner of the 2024 Agriculture Census, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, alongside heads of departments and representatives from federal and state agriculture agencies. Jeffrey said the majority of the holdings are in the crops sub-sector, accounting for 140,018 holdings, followed by capture fisheries (14,903), livestock (2,242), aquaculture (2,164), and forestry and logging (162). The data also highlights the demographic landscape of Sabah's agricultural sector, which consists of 156,635 individual holdings. Notably, over 70 per cent of these individual farmers are aged 46 and above. About 35 per cent of them reported having no formal education or academic qualifications. 'This provides us with a clear picture of Sabah's current agricultural profile. It also underscores the urgency to craft targeted and inclusive policies that will attract younger generations to participate in this sector,' Jeffrey said. The Interim Report on Agricultural Labour revealed that 325,805 individuals are involved in agricultural activities across the state. This figure comprises 136,030 active owners and partners, 160,415 salaried workers and 28,676 unpaid family workers. In terms of cultivated land, Sabah recorded 1.782 million hectares in 2023. Of this, 1.574 million hectares or 88.3 per cent were harvested areas, mostly under corporate agricultural holdings, particularly in oil palm plantations. The sector also contributed significantly to Sabah's economy, recording total sales of RM25.06 billion in 2023. Organisational or corporate agricultural holdings contributed the lion's share at 81.5 per cent, while individual holdings accounted for 18.5 per cent. The crops sub-sector contributed 82 per cent of total sales, followed by livestock (7.9 per cent), capture fisheries (5.9 per cent), forestry and logging (3.0 per cent) and aquaculture (1.1 per cent). Sabah remains among the top contributors to the nation's agricultural performance. It accounts for 17.4 per cent of national crop sub-sector sales, ranking within the top four states. For capture fisheries, Sabah is among the top three contributors with 13.8 per cent, while forestry and logging contributed 19.6 per cent of the national output. At the district level, Keningau recorded the highest number of individual agricultural holdings in Sabah with 14,100, followed by Ranau (12,862) and Kota Marudu (12,627). In terms of sales value, Kinabatangan led with RM4.15 billion, followed by Tawau (RM3.93 billion) and Lahad Datu (RM3.50 billion). Meanwhile, Uzir said that DOSM has published 15 Interim Reports of the 2024 Agriculture Census at the national level, detailing statistics for the overall agricultural sector and five specific sub-sectors, crops (both agri-commodity and agro-food), livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry and logging. Additionally, 14 more detailed reports have been released covering specific commodities and sectors including oil palm, rubber, paddy, pineapple, kenaf, cocoa, pepper, fruits, vegetables, other crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry and logging. Uzir also stressed the importance of integrated digital data management in agriculture. DOSM has developed TaniStats, an integrated digital platform combining data from the 2024 Census, upstream and downstream sector statistics, food security indicators, the MyAgroPrice dashboard, and other agricultural data sources. He emphasised the need for inter-agency cooperation to keep the system updated and fully utilised. Looking ahead, besides conducting the Agriculture Census every 10 years, DOSM plans to introduce short-term agricultural surveys starting in 2026 to ensure statistics remain relevant and responsive to current trends. In the context of regional leadership, Malaysia will chair the 15th ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee (ACSS15) in 2025 to further strengthen regional statistical cooperation for sustainable development. On the international front, Malaysia has achieved a milestone by ranking first globally in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) 2024/25 report, surpassing 198 other countries, a significant leap from its 67th position in 2022/23. In line with this achievement, the government has declared October 20 as National Statistics Day (MyStats Day), themed 'Statistics: The Pulse of Life'. The Fourth World Statistics Day will also be celebrated on October 20, 2025, themed 'Driving Change with Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone.' Public access to data is available through OpenDOSM NextGen, a digital platform offering data catalogues and visualisations, accessible at
New Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Concerted efforts to cut food import dependence through urban farming
LABUAN: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa has called for coordinated and innovative strategies to reduce Labuan's heavy reliance on imported food. She urged the implementation of urban and alternative farming systems to address the island's limited agricultural land. Dr Zaliha acknowledged that the duty-free island faces significant agricultural challenges due to land constraints and limited connectivity. However, she emphasised that sustainable food policies must be developed to ensure sufficient raw material supplies for the local population. "Our efforts are to ensure adequate food supplies for the Labuan community despite the shortage of land and (limited) connectivity," she told reporters after launching the Interim Report on the 2024 Agriculture Census in the Federal Territories 2024 here today. Dr Zaliha said that with only 0.22 per cent of land in Labuan zoned for agricultural use, the constraint makes large-scale conventional farming unfeasible, necessitating alternatives such as hydroponics and urban farming. She said Labuan's overdependence on imported food could result in price instability and a rising cost of living. In response, she announced that Labuan Corporation (LC), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Services, and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, would evaluate the island's food self-sufficiency levels, particularly for essential items such as chicken, meat, eggs, and vegetables. She also proposed a long-term vision to transform Labuan into a 'living laboratory' for sustainable food systems in Malaysia, inspired from urban food district models in European cities. "To realise this vision, we need a centre of excellence that collaborates with research institutions and universities, shifting from conventional agriculture to food alternatives such as cultivated meat and lab-produced cellular fermentation," she said. Dr Zaliha said she would instruct Labuan Corporation to identify any potentially suitable land for agriculture to bolster the island's food security. – Bernama
Barnama
28-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Concerted Efforts To Cut Food Import Dependence Trough Urban Farming
LABUAN, June 28 (Bernama) -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa has called for coordinated and innovative strategies to reduce Labuan's heavy reliance on imported food. She urged the implementation of urban and alternative farming systems to address the island's limited agricultural land. Dr Zaliha acknowledged that the duty-free island faces significant agricultural challenges due to land constraints and limited connectivity. However, she emphasised that sustainable food policies must be developed to ensure sufficient raw material supplies for the local population. 'Our efforts are to ensure adequate food supplies for the Labuan community despite the shortage of land and (limited) connectivity,' she told reporters after launching the Interim Report on the 2024 Agriculture Census in the Federal Territories 2024 here today. Dr Zaliha noted that with only 0.22 per cent of land in Labuan zoned for agricultural use, the constraint makes large-scale conventional farming unfeasible, necessitating alternatives such as hydroponics and urban farming. She said Labuan's overdependence on imported food could result in price instability and a rising cost of living. In response, she announced that Labuan Corporation (LC), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Services, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, would evaluate the island's food self-sufficiency levels, particularly for essential items such as chicken, meat, eggs, and vegetables. She also proposed a long-term vision to transform Labuan into a 'living laboratory' for sustainable food systems in Malaysia, inspired from urban food district models in European cities.
