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New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Census sets new benchmark for agricultural sector
KUALA LUMPUR: The findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report are set to become a critical new benchmark for the development and transformation of Malaysia's agricultural sector. Statistics Department chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the insights — gathered through the nationwide census conducted from July 7 to Dec 31 last year, would provide vital input into several key national strategies — including the 13th Malaysia Plan, the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030, the National Agricommodity Policy 2021–2030 and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021–2025. "These findings are not merely statistical data; they reflect the real conditions, challenges and opportunities within the sector," he said after the launch of the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report on Thursday. Gracing the launch event was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister. Also present were Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli. Among the key findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census, Uzir said, was that Malaysia recorded 1,030,020 agriculture holders, with a staggering 97.9 per cent (or 1,008,829) being individual agriculture holders. The remaining 21,191 operations are managed by establishments' agricultural holders. He said the data also indicates that 258,129 agriculture holders are involved in food crop cultivation, including padi, vegetables and fruits. At the same time, 623,365 individuals manage commercial crops such as oil palm and rubber. Additionally, 43,816 agriculture holders are engaged in livestock, 8,407 in aquaculture, 48,267 in fisheries and 7,930 in forestry and logging. In terms of age groups, the largest proportion of individual agricultural holdings is in the 60 years and over category, with 458,263 individuals (45.4 per cent), followed by those aged 46 to 59 years at 326,287 individuals (32.4 per cent). The 31 to 45 years age group accounts for 190,952 individuals (18.9 per cent) while the 15 to 30 years age group represent only 33,207 individuals (3.3 per cent). "The data highlights Malaysia's agricultural sector's strong dependence on older farmers, with 45.4 per cent of agricultural holders aged 60 and above, while only 142,888 youths aged 15 to 40 are active in the industry. "This situation poses serious challenges, such as labour shortages, a slow integration of modern technologies and the urgent need to revitalise the sector. "It is crucial to attract more young people to agricultural careers to safeguard the sector's future sustainability and the country's food security." Uzir said other key takeaways from the census is that establishment agriculture holders recorded much higher productivity than individual agriculture holders such as oil palm, pineapple and cocoa. "This shows the importance of economies of scale, the use of technology and more systematic governance. "Among the main challenges faced by individual agriculture holdings is the limited land area, especially land of less than 2.02ha. "This small land size has a significant impact on the effectiveness of agricultural activities, especially in terms of productivity and yield. "This not only affects farmers' income, but also has implications for the development of the country's agricultural sector as a whole." Uzir said the census also found potential in the cultivation of new crops such as kenaf, Napier and seaweed. Kenaf, for example, has a cultivated area of 1,497.0ha with a production of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier recorded a cultivated area of 1,387.7ha with a production of 35,687 tonnes. "These industries have great potential in terms of value added exports and production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment." Uzir said from the census, crop industries such as coffee, coconut and cocoa have shown a decline in terms of planted area, productivity and the number of active entrepreneurs. "However, the industry retains significant strategic value and can be revitalised through well-planned, modern and integrated approaches." Uzir added that engagement sessions will be organised with stakeholders to discuss the findings of the census. "These sessions serve as a platform to discuss agriculture issues including food security concerns. "It is hoped that all stakeholders including government agencies, research institutions, academia, industry players and farmers can utilise agricultural statistics to the fullest in making evidence-based decisions and contributing to the growth of a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector." During the event, the department also released 15 interim reports encompassing the Interim Report on Agriculture Sector, which presents statistics for the entire agricultural sector, followed by five subsectors; crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as forestry and logging. The remaining 14 reports covered oil palm, rubber, padi, pineapple, kenaf, cocoa, pepper, fruits, vegetables and other crops. The reports covered six key parameters — agricultural holdings profile, area planted, harvested area, quantity of production and sales and sales value. The agriculture census plays a vital role in supporting not only farmers and policymakers, but also businesses within the broader agricultural value chain. Doluvo Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Rose Yasmin Abdul Karim said the data gathered from the census is instrumental in helping companies plan for growth and source raw materials more effectively. As the manufacturer of Popsmalaya, a homegrown brand known for fruit-based ice lollies, Yasmin emphasised the importance of using local ingredients. "One of our key strategies moving forward is to collaborate directly with local farmers through contract manufacturing. "The latest data from the agriculture census helps us make informed decisions that align with our long-term goals," she said. Although not all ingredients — such as berries — are sourced locally, Popsmalaya remains committed to showcasing Malaysian produce, with pineapple emerging as a signature flavour. "When we participate in international trade shows, people are often intrigued by unique flavours like pineapple. Pineapple lollies are still uncommon overseas, which gives us a competitive edge," Yasmin said. Popsmalaya exports to over 30 countries and attributes its global success to support from agencies such as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. Yasmin's sentiment was echoed by Mohd Azhan Fhitri Md Rafi, a sales coordinator at Mascorn Sdn Bhd. "For companies like Mascorn, access to accurate and comprehensive agricultural data enables us to better align with market trends and plan strategically. "It also helps identify emerging needs and opportunities across the sector.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Ageing farmers a worrying trend
SERDANG: Malaysians aged over 60 make up the largest segment of the country's farmers, while around 90% of all farmers have only completed education up to the SPM level, according to preliminary findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who announced the interim results yesterday, said the census, the first in more than two decades, aims to provide a comprehensive picture of Malaysia's agricultural and food production landscape. 'With the 2024 Agriculture Census, we now have current, comprehensive baseline data for the agriculture sector. 'The last data collection of this scale was conducted over 20 years ago,' he said in his speech when announcing the census' interim report. Fadillah, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Food Security, said the data would serve as a foundation for crafting evidence-based policies and for strengthening the planning, implementation and monitoring of agricultural initiatives. The census began in mid-2024 and was led by the Statistics Department under the Economy Ministry, in collaboration with 1,390 federal, state and district-level agencies. Elaborating on some of the main findings, Fadillah said the data revealed challenges and obstacles the agricultural sector faces in contributing to the country's food security. For instance, out of the more than 1.03 million agricultural entrepreneurs, over 1.008 million are individuals, with only about 21,000 being group entities. The age profile of these farmers also highlights a concerning trend: 45.6% are aged over 60, 32.3% are between 46 and 59 years old, and only 22.2% fall between the ages of 15 and 45. 'The predominance of senior citizens among individual farmers directly impacts farm productivity and the nation's capacity to increase domestic production and sustain the agriculture sector as a whole,' Fadillah said. He also noted that 90.1%, or 909,114, of individual farmers only possess SPM-level education, which could pose challenges in modernising the sector. 'Although there is no direct link between education level and farming productivity, it plays an important role in enabling farmers to make accurate decisions, access the latest information and adopt modern farming practices.' Another critical finding is that out of the 7.5 million hectares of agricultural land in Malaysia, about 5.8 million hectares are dedicated to oil palm and 700,000ha to rubber. In contrast, food crops, of which rice is the largest, occupy just 500,000ha. 'Among the biggest challenges for individual farmers is limited land, especially plots smaller than five acres (2.02ha). Small plot sizes significantly impact productivity and crop yields. 'This affects not only farmers' incomes but also threatens long-term growth of the sector.' The census also revealed the sector's heavy dependence on migrant labour, with 474,000 of the 1.4 million agricultural workers being foreigners, Fadillah added. 'This shows that the sector is still dependent on migrant workers in order to sustain itself.' To ensure continuous data-driven policy-making, Fadillah announced that the agricultural census will now be conducted every 10 years, with interim surveys beginning in 2026 to help monitor developments more effectively. The public will be able to access statistics on the industry through a one-stop terminal called TaniStats, which will include macro-level industry data (TaniFacts), value chain information of agriculture products (myAgrochain) and food-related data (myFoodStats). The MyAgroPrice portal, on the other hand, will allow users to compare farm, wholesale and retail prices of various food products.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
MyAgroPrice to aid consumers with comprehensive food pricing data
SERDANG: Ever complained about the rising prices of nasi campur but wondered why farmers are making so little at the same time? Well, now you can find out who is getting a cut from all the meats, greens and rice that is on your plate courtesy of the MyAgroPrice platform run by the Statistics Department. When it is fully up and running, MyAgroPrice will display the prices for almost all foods produced in the country at three stages – the farm, wholesale and retail. 'Consumers can see the difference between the prices that they have to pay compared to the prices at which farmers are selling their produce,' said chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin when launching MyAgroPrice. The platform was launched together with DOSM's umbrella site, the Agriculture Digital Database Integration System or TaniStats here on May 29. TaniStats is compilation of all the data that the department has so far collected on the agriculture sector during its 2024 Agriculture Census. Besides MyAgroPrice, TaniStats will contain the census data, upstream and downstream sector statistics and food security indicators. 'This system will also integrate all agricultural data where updates will be carried out periodically among agricultural agencies and will be used as a reference for policy formulation, development planning and measuring the achievements of their respective sectors. 'TaniStats will strengthen strategic planning, increase supply chain efficiency, and ensure the development of a more sustainable and competitive agricultural sector,' DOSM said in a statement. Checks on the MyAgroPrice platform revealed that it is currently at the testing stage and only lists one item. But DOSM officials say that when it is fully ready, it will contain a whole range of products under categories that include grains, vegetables, seafood and meats. MyAgroPrice will list the prices at the district level and consumers will be able to compare the cost of items among different states. 'MyAgroPrice is an innovation that provides information on the level and changes in the prices of selected agricultural products that can be used by consumers for consumption decisions. 'In addition, policymakers can use price information on the MyAgroPrice platform to determine appropriate interventions for supply security and prices of agricultural products,' it added. MyAgroPrice and other data from the census can be accessed at
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
MyLabourHub aims to support smarter, data-driven decisions, says DOSM
PUTRAJAYA: Whether tackling job mismatches or choosing where to settle after marriage for better economic prospects, the Statistics Department's (DOSM) Malaysia Labour Market Data Hub (MyLabourHub) platform aims to support smarter, data-driven decisions. Officiating the launch of the platform at DOSM headquarters here on Tuesday (May 27), chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said this marks a significant leap in the country's efforts to strengthen data-driven policymaking and empower the workforce. 'MyLabourHub is more than just a portal, it is an intelligent platform that integrates data, institutions and technology to provide labour market information that is current, accurate and accessible to all stakeholders. 'It also offers a wide range of key functions, including a labour market analysis platform that provides a comprehensive picture of employment trends, wage levels and skills requirements that align with the current employment environment,' he said, adding that the platform was built internally by DOSM. Mohd Uzir said the platform adopts a whole-of-nation approach to support inclusive and sustainable growth and talent development, designed to serve a wide range of stakeholders including policymakers, industry players, training institutions and the public. 'It allows users to explore employment trends by skill level, sector and geographic location with data updated monthly, quarterly and annually. 'This initiative goes beyond just statistics. It's about empowering the people, businesses and policymakers with accessible and understandable data. 'Even parents can use this to guide their children in choosing future careers,' he said. Mohd Uzir said the platform supports comprehensive time-series analysis, enabling policymakers to track progress on employment strategies, wage growth and labour demand in alignment with Malaysia's socio-economic goals. 'We provide data down to the district level with over 100 districts to support targeted policy implementation,' he said, adding that the platform is complementary to OpenDOSM, which has earned global recognition. Mohd Uzir said the platform, among others, will help improve labour market efficiency and information flow among employers, job seekers and training providers, reduce job search costs through better access to data and support the transformation of the education system in line with industry needs. He said the platform has more than 100 key indicators across eight labour market themes such as labour supply and demand, graduate statistics, micro, small and medium enterprises, Sustainable Development Goals and others. Among its key features are the integration of over 60 major labour market indicators and with administrative data from 40 ministries and agencies, including Employees Provident Fund, Social Security Organisation, Accountant General's Department, Public Service Department and Higher Education Ministry. 'It also features Kayra-GPT, a generative AI-powered digital assistant that enables quick and user-friendly labour market information search,' he said. In addition to MyLabourHub, DOSM will roll out an agriculture-specific dashboard TaniStats on Thursday (May 29), he added. keywords:
The Sun
25-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Fewer couples starting families amid shifting priorities
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is facing an unprecedented decline in birth rates, a demographic shift that experts warn could have serious consequences for the nation's economy, workforce and social cohesion. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh attributed the falling birth rate largely to the high cost of raising children, particularly in urban areas. 'Years ago, families often had five children. Now, the average is three, and it could fall further to two or even one, much like the trend in Singapore. 'It's not just housing or food. Even providing nutritious meals is expensive. Parents feel pressured to enrol children in preschool by age three, followed by entrance exams, tuition and other academic demands – all of which add to the financial burden.' She added that environmental factors are also playing a growing role. 'Air and water pollution, including exposure to heavy metals from traffic and industrial waste, has been linked to reduced sperm quality in men. Fertility isn't just about biology, it's also about the desire to have children and both are declining.' She added that while dual-income households are now the norm, even two salaries often fall short of what is needed to raise a family. 'It's no longer feasible for the husband alone to support the household. The wife also contributes significantly to family expenses. Yet, starting salaries remain low, even for professionals such as doctors, engineers and teachers. In an upper-middle income country such as Malaysia, a minimum wage of RM1,700 is still inadequate for a growing family.' According to the Statistics Department, only 93,500 births were recorded in the first quarter of 2025, an 11.5% drop from 105,613 during the same period last year. It marks the lowest quarterly birth rate ever recorded. The department attributed the decline to falling fertility and warned of broader social implications. Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer in anthropology and sociology Dr Velan Kunjuraman pointed to deeper societal shifts, shaped by modernisation and globalisation, which have redefined perceptions of marriage and parenthood. 'Young people today prioritise financial stability, personal freedom and career success before starting families. Marriage, once a key life milestone, no longer holds the same weight.' He observed that highly educated, career-focused individuals increasingly view marriage as optional, with some choosing to remain childfree to enjoy life without the responsibilities of parenting. Velan also highlighted the rising divorce rate and growing acceptance of alternative relationships, such as live-in partnerships, especially in urban areas. 'Marriage remains an important ethical and legal institution, but its meaning and practice have evolved. Gender expectations still play a role, some women see marriage as a threat to their independence due to the traditional caregiving roles still expected of them. 'Today, successful families are founded on shared responsibility and mutual respect.'
