Latest news with #MohdUzir
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.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's PPI falls by 3.4 pct in April 2025, led by mining sector decline
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures price changes at the producer level, continued to decline by 3.4 per cent in April 2025, with the mining sector being the main contributor, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). In a statement today, chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the mining sector recorded a drop of 17.8 per cent (March 2025: -15.0 per cent), due to decreases in the extraction of crude petroleum (-19.8 per cent) and natural gas (-11.6 per cent). He noted that the manufacturing sector also posted a decline of 2.6 per cent compared to -1.8 per cent in March 2025, driven by contraction in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (-15.7 per cent). In contrast, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector recorded a moderated increase of 2.6 per cent, supported mainly by growth of the perennial crops index (5.9 per cent). The electricity and gas supply sector recorded a marginal decline of 0.6 per cent, while the water supply sector registered a modest increase of 0.9 per cent. On a month-on-month basis, the PPI local production decreased by 1.0 per cent in April 2025, as compared to a 0.6 per cent decline in March 2025. "The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector declined by 6.0 per cent, attributed to the growing of perennial crops sub-sector, which fell by 8.1 per cent," Mohd Uzir said. The mining sector also contracted by 1.2 per cent, due to a 3.6 per cent fall in the extraction of crude petroleum. At the same time, the manufacturing sector decreased by 0.5 per cent, with decreases in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (-2.0 per cent) and the manufacture of food products (-1.0 per cent). However, the electricity and gas supply sector grew by 0.3 per cent, while the water supply sector recorded an increase of 1.3 per cent, he added.
