Latest news with #FahmiZainol
The Star
an hour ago
- Business
- The Star
Penang plans new tuna port to boost landings
BUTTERWORTH: Penang plans to build a new tuna and deep-sea fishing port in the state, which meets international standards, to increase tuna landings. State agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman, Fahmi Zainol said the government has identified an area in Bagan Ajam for the new tuna port and discussions are already underway. "The state has earmarked land in Bagan Ajam for the development of the new port, with an estimated development budget of RM150mil to RM300mil. We are currently in talks with several investors for funding," he said. He added that, based on the timeline, the port could be completed within one-and-a-half to two years, pending technical approval from the district land office and other relevant agencies, as well as private sector allocation. "We hope the new port can revive the glory days of Penang's tuna industry, much like the 1990s," he said on Sunday (Aug 10). Fahmi highlighted several benefits of the new port, including its exclusive focus on tuna fishing, meaning tuna vessels will not have to compete for docking space with commercial ships. The port will also offer lower charges, as it will not operate on a commercial basis. Regarding competition, he said that tuna ships would not need to compete for docking space because the new port would be dedicated solely to tuna landings. It is expected to attract foreign tuna ships due to its user-friendly facilities. The new port will meet European Union (EU) standards and will include special facilities tailored specifically for tuna fishing, unlike existing ports, which offer general facilities and lack focus on tuna landings. "According to preliminary data from the Malaysian Fisheries Department, the total tuna landings in Penang last year were 431,000kg, valued at RM7.758mil. The main landing point is currently the Butterworth deep-water wharf," Fahmi said. He also noted that Malaysian vessels had landed tuna in Mauritius last year, with a total of 4,295,758kg of tuna, including 3,749,478kg from local vessels. So far this year, the total tuna landings in Penang, including foreign vessels, have reached 1,445,120kg, with an estimated value of RM26mil. Fahmi believes that with the dedicated tuna port in Bagan Ajam, tuna landings could increase by 30 to 50 per cent within five years of its operation. He also envisions Penang becoming a tuna processing hub, where foreign vessels can land their catch for processing before exporting it to Taiwan or Japan. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang authorities to raid places selling fake Balik Pulau durians
Penang agriculture executive councillor Fahmi Zainol said most legitimate durian farmers had adopted the government's 'track and trace' system to boost transparency and consumer confidence. KEPALA BATAS : The authorities in Penang have identified several places where imported durians, particularly from Thailand, are being falsely marketed as the famed Balik Pulau variety. State agriculture executive councillor Fahmi Zainol said joint operations involving the police, agriculture department and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) would be launched soon to curb such fraudulent practices. 'We've identified two or three hotspots where durians are brought in by truck from Thailand but sold as local produce. 'We're just waiting for the right time to conduct the raids and issue compounds,' he told reporters at the Bumbong Lima Agricultural Training Institute today. He said this followed public complaints and ongoing monitoring by authorities. A roadblock has been set up at the Juru toll plaza by the Malaysian quarantine and inspection services department (Maqis) and other agencies to detect non-compliant agricultural products, especially durians. While durians from other regions are not banned, Fahmi said sellers must not misrepresent them as Balik Pulau durians. 'We now have a 'track and trace' system in place since June 1. Every durian is tagged with a QR code that lets consumers verify its origin, from farm to table,' he said. He urged the public to report suspicious sellers, adding that most legitimate durian farmers in Penang had adopted the tracking system to boost transparency and consumer confidence.
Malay Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
DOSM to unveil National Agricultural Production Index to address critical data gaps
KEPALA BATAS, June 17 — The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will soon introduce a National Agricultural Production Index to strengthen food security by addressing critical data gaps in the agriculture sector. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the index, to be pushed quarterly, will offer a more comprehensive view of agricultural output, supporting evidence-based policymaking in a sector central to both livelihoods and economic stability. The index is being developed in collaboration with several government agencies and will mirror existing statistical frameworks used for the manufacturing, electricity and services sectors. 'This data will help identify which areas are experiencing increases in agricultural output and the information can be shared across agencies for planning and policy-making purposes,' he added. He was speaking to reporters after launching the 2024 Penang Interim Agriculture Census Report, officiated by State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol here today. Until now, national agricultural statistics have focused primarily on palm oil and padi production, which he described as 'not comprehensive.' The new index, he said, will offer more structured and detailed coverage of the broader agricultural sector. Preliminary findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census indicate that the sector recorded sales of RM161 billion in 2023, employing 1.7 million people. These figures underscore the industry's potential if backed by strategic policies and innovation. In Penang alone, agricultural sales reached RM3.5 billion, despite the state's small size. Individual farmers accounted for 93.1 per cent of agricultural holdings, with organisations making up the remaining 6.9 per cent. The census also highlighted the active role played by senior citizens, with more than half of Malaysians aged 60 and above still engaged in agriculture. Mohd Uzir noted that the presence of older farmers in the field remains strong, while youth involvement presents further opportunities to enhance sector productivity. — Bernama
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
DOSM to introduce National Agricultural Production Index
KEPALA BATAS: The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will soon introduce a National Agricultural Production Index to strengthen food security by addressing critical data gaps in the agriculture sector. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the index, to be pushed quarterly, will offer a more comprehensive view of agricultural output, supporting evidence-based policymaking in a sector central to both livelihoods and economic stability. The index is being developed in collaboration with several government agencies and will mirror existing statistical frameworks used for the manufacturing, electricity and services sectors. 'This data will help identify which areas are experiencing increases in agricultural output and the information can be shared across agencies for planning and policy-making purposes,' he added. He was speaking to reporters after launching the 2024 Penang Interim Agriculture Census Report, officiated by State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol here today. Until now, national agricultural statistics have focused primarily on palm oil and padi production, which he described as 'not comprehensive.' The new index, he said, will offer more structured and detailed coverage of the broader agricultural sector. Preliminary findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census indicate that the sector recorded sales of RM161 billion in 2023, employing 1.7 million people. These figures underscore the industry's potential if backed by strategic policies and innovation. In Penang alone, agricultural sales reached RM3.5 billion, despite the state's small size. Individual farmers accounted for 93.1 per cent of agricultural holdings, with organisations making up the remaining 6.9 per cent. The census also highlighted the active role played by senior citizens, with more than half of Malaysians aged 60 and above still engaged in agriculture. Mohd Uzir noted that the presence of older farmers in the field remains strong, while youth involvement presents further opportunities to enhance sector productivity.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
DOSM to introduce National Agricultural Production Index in food security push
KEPALA BATAS: The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will soon introduce a National Agricultural Production Index to strengthen food security by addressing critical data gaps in the agriculture sector. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the index, to be pushed quarterly, will offer a more comprehensive view of agricultural output, supporting evidence-based policymaking in a sector central to both livelihoods and economic stability. The index is being developed in collaboration with several government agencies and will mirror existing statistical frameworks used for the manufacturing, electricity and services sectors. 'This data will help identify which areas are experiencing increases in agricultural output and the information can be shared across agencies for planning and policy-making purposes,' he added. He was speaking to reporters after launching the 2024 Penang Interim Agriculture Census Report, officiated by State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol here today. Until now, national agricultural statistics have focused primarily on palm oil and padi production, which he described as 'not comprehensive.' The new index, he said, will offer more structured and detailed coverage of the broader agricultural sector. Preliminary findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census indicate that the sector recorded sales of RM161 billion in 2023, employing 1.7 million people. These figures underscore the industry's potential if backed by strategic policies and innovation. In Penang alone, agricultural sales reached RM3.5 billion, despite the state's small size. Individual farmers accounted for 93.1 per cent of agricultural holdings, with organisations making up the remaining 6.9 per cent. The census also highlighted the active role played by senior citizens, with more than half of Malaysians aged 60 and above still engaged in agriculture. Mohd Uzir noted that the presence of older farmers in the field remains strong, while youth involvement presents further opportunities to enhance sector productivity.
