Latest news with #AgricultureCensus2024InterimReport
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Young hands on old land: More youth farming than data shows, says DOSM
ALOR STAR: Malaysia's agriculture sector may not be as grey as it looks on paper. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), many farms registered under elderly landowners are actually being run by younger family members. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said many young people are already running farms, even if the elderly still legally own the land. He urged the public not to mistake land registration data for a lack of youth involvement. "There's no retirement age in farming. Land in the villages is often still registered under our parents or grandparents' names, even if younger family members are the ones managing it.," he said at the state-level launch of the Agriculture Census 2024 Interim Report. The census found that only 124,431 people in Kedah are currently involved in agriculture—a small slice of the state's 2.2 million population. But Uzir pointed to rural-to-urban migration and demographic shifts as influencing the numbers. "In some farms, where they used to need 20 workers, now five can get the job done thanks to technology and those five are earning better pay," he said, adding that youth with technical skills are vital to farming's future. State Agriculture, Plantation and Transportation Committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani said free courses and high-tech tools like drones are being offered to make farming more appealing to youth. "These efforts are designed to appeal to young people, they enjoy working with modern tools," he said.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Only 23.4% of Perak youth join agriculture in 2023
GOPENG: Only 23.4 per cent of youths aged 15 to 45 in Perak ventured into agriculture in 2023, said Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He said that individuals aged 60 and above accounted for 46.6 per cent of those involved in the sector, followed by those aged 46 to 59 at 30 per cent. 'This participation gap between the older and younger generations is not only concerning but also signals an insecure future if no drastic measures are taken. 'The lack of young manpower, difficulties in adopting modern technology, and negative perceptions of careers in this sector are the main obstacles,' he said. He spoke to reporters at the launch of the Agriculture Census 2024 Interim Report held at the state Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) management building, Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) Gopeng, here today. Also present were the state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, and Perak Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Mohd Ridauddin Masud. Mohd Uzir said efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector in Perak are crucial to ensure its sustainability and competitiveness. 'The future of the agricultural sector depends on how well we can reignite the interest of the younger generation to return to the farms, not only as workers but as leaders driving the transformation of the nation's agro-industry,' he said. In addition, he said Perak recorded a total agricultural output sales value of RM15.98 billion throughout 2023. He said the district of Manjung recorded the highest sales value at approximately RM2.86 billion, followed by Larut Matang (RM1.97 billion) and Batang Padang (RM1.92 billion). Meanwhile, Mohd Uzir said the total cultivated area in Perak was recorded at around 497,000 hectares, comprising 188,800 hectares under individual ownership and 308,200 hectares under organisational agricultural holdings. 'Hilir Perak recorded the largest cultivated area at 102,800 hectares, followed by Perak Tengah with 72,200 hectares, Batang Padang with 62,500 hectares, and others,' he said.
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Only 23.4 Pct Of Youths Involved In Agriculture Sector In Perak
GOPENG, June 23 (Bernama) -- Only 23.4 per cent of youths aged 15 to 45 in Perak ventured into agriculture in 2023, said Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He said that individuals aged 60 and above accounted for 46.6 per cent of those involved in the sector, followed by those aged 46 to 59 at 30 per cent. 'This participation gap between the older and younger generations is not only concerning but also signals an insecure future if no drastic measures are taken. 'The lack of young manpower, difficulties in adopting modern technology, and negative perceptions of careers in this sector are the main obstacles,' he said. He spoke to reporters at the launch of the Agriculture Census 2024 Interim Report held at the state Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) management building, Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) Gopeng, here today. Also present were the state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, and Perak Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Mohd Ridauddin Masud. Mohd Uzir said efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector in Perak are crucial to ensure its sustainability and competitiveness. 'The future of the agricultural sector depends on how well we can reignite the interest of the younger generation to return to the farms, not only as workers but as leaders driving the transformation of the nation's agro-industry,' he said. In addition, he said Perak recorded a total agricultural output sales value of RM15.98 billion throughout 2023.
