Latest news with #AgricultureandFoodSecurityMinistry
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor allocates RM2 million to boost durian industry
JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has allocated RM2 million this year to strengthen the state's durian industry, aiming to support small- and medium-scale growers and boost fruit production for both local and export markets. The allocation, jointly provided with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, is expected to benefit 341 durian farmers and cover approximately 650 hectares of cultivated land. The initiative is part of Johor's broader plan to upscale tropical fruit farming, with a target of producing more than 900,000 metric tonnes annually by 2027, including major crops such as coconut, pineapple, jackfruit, guava, watermelon, papaya, and banana. State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the durian sector continues to show strong potential, especially with growing global demand for Malaysian varieties. "The durian season may be ending, but our commitment to the industry is only beginning. This RM2 million investment reflects our focus on empowering local farmers and scaling Johor's tropical fruit industry sustainably," he said in a statement today. Zahari added that while premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn draw international attention, kampung durians still command a loyal following and steady demand. Kampung durian refers to non-clonal, seed-grown durian trees typically found in rural orchards, smallholdings, or naturally propagated farms across the country. "The fruit industry remains a key contributor to Johor's agro-economy, and the state plans to continue leveraging its fertile land and established farming networks to elevate export value. "More funding and technical support are expected to be channelled to fruit cooperatives, research, and infrastructure development over the next two years," he said.
Malaysiakini
a day ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Minister hands out 300 Sabah avocados to MPs, media
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry today distributed 300 avocados grown in Tawau, Sabah, to MPs and members of the media in Parliament. 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.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
KPKM proposes short-term agriculture censuses for better policy coordination
PUTRAJAYA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) has recommended that the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) conduct short-term agricultural censuses every two to four years to ensure timely data updates for improved policy coordination. KPKM secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak highlighted the importance of frequent data collection following the findings of the 2024 Agriculture Census, which provides detailed insights at both national and district levels. 'We have discussed with DOSM how future censuses can be implemented. For federal-level policymaking, we need long-term statistics over five to 10 years. However, for state and district-level execution, data must be refreshed more often. Smaller-scale censuses would be cost-effective,' he said during a press conference. The 2024 census offers granular data on farming demographics, crop types, land ownership, and mechanisation adoption. 'We now have hyperlocal data. In Senaling, Kuala Pilah, for instance, we know the number of farmers, their crops, and production levels. This helps state governments and village leaders make informed decisions to boost yields,' Isham explained. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof previously announced that short-term agricultural surveys would begin in 2026 to enhance sector monitoring. Additionally, KPKM plans to introduce a cooperative-based farm management model to consolidate smallholders and landowners, improving productivity through collective government assistance. 'With over 220,000 padi farmers nationwide averaging two hectares each, grouping them could enhance efficiency and income,' Isham noted. The success of this model depends on accurate data and strong federal-state collaboration with local farming communities. - Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
‘Keep tank fish out of S'gor rivers'
Izham (second from left) looking at the new signboard illustrating the differences between invasive and native fish species near Sungai Klang beside Masjid Al-Ridhuan in Hulu Kelang. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star Selangor government is urging the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to implement stricter measures to control the sale and release of invasive ornamental fish, particularly the Hypostomus plecostomus (pleco) species, also known as ikan bandaraya, which threaten river ecosystems. Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the state was working towards preventing the release of alien fish species into rivers.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's durian exports expected to exceed RM1.5b this year
GUA MUSANG: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry expects Malaysia's durian exports to exceed RM1.5 billion this year, following strong demand from major markets such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the total value of the country's durian exports abroad had increased by 256.3 per cent or equivalent to RM822.8 million in five years, from RM321.2 million in 2018 to RM1.14 billion in 2022. "This increase proves the great potential of durian as a high-value agro-food commodity that not only provides great returns to the country, but also opens up economic opportunities for the people at various levels," he said when opening the 2025 Durian Festival at the Gua Musang District Council's main hall here today. He said efforts to promote durian through festivals and programmes like this were also deemed important to stimulate the growth of the high-value agricultural sector and create a value chain involving farmers, logistics, retailers, processing industries and tourism. Mohamad said that based on the global fresh durian market report by global market research firm Mordor Intelligence (2024), the value of the world durian market is expected to reach more than USD10.78 billion in 2025 and jump to USD16.89 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4 per cent. "China remains the key driver of this growth, accounting for more than 90 per cent of total durian imports in the Asia Pacific, thus becoming a key strategic market for Malaysian exporters. "On June 19, 2024, Malaysia successfully signed the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Durian Fruit to China, which opened up new market access for fresh durian exports from Malaysia to the country," he said. Previously, export access to China was limited to durian in pulp and paste form in 2011, and frozen whole fruits in 2018. – Bernama
