Latest news with #Uzir
New Straits Times
6 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.
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MyLabourHub Strengthens Malaysia's Status As Global Leader In Open Data Inventory Assessment
PUTRAJAYA, May 27 (Bernama) -- The integrated digital analytics platform, MyLabourHub, launched today by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), will strengthen Malaysia's position as a global leader in the world's Open Data Inventory (ODIN) assessment. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said that MyLabourHub integrates institutions, data and technology to provide the latest labour market information to improve the country's score in the upcoming official Open Data Warehouse (ODW) report. He added that the portal, fully developed by DOSM, will benefit various stakeholders, including policymakers, industry players, training institutions and the public. 'In line with the aspiration to move towards a resilient statistical system in the era of digital innovation, this portal provides relevant, accurate and easily accessible information, thus enhancing the empowerment of citizen-centric statistical service delivery that is inclusive, integrated, transparent and secure," Uzir said in his speech at the launch of MyLabourHub today. Additionally, MyLabourHub enables in-depth research for evidence-based policymaking by helping stakeholders understand labour market dynamics while strengthening action plans, impactful interventions and responses to economic changes. The official ODW report, released on April 29, marked a historic achievement for Malaysia, ranking first in the ODIN 2024/25 assessment, surpassing 198 other countries with an overall score of 90 and an outstanding data openness score of 99. This represents a significant leap from its 67th position in the 2022/23 assessment. Uzir also said that MyLabourHub offers key functionalities, including a labour market analytics platform that provides insights into employment trends, salary rates and skill requirements aligned with contemporary job markets. He highlighted that data updates within the platform occur in three categories: monthly, quarterly and annually, with all data sourced from relevant agencies, including the Department of Labour. Meanwhile, DOSM said in a statement today that MyLabourHub gathers more than 101 key indicators and 128 supporting indicators.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MyLabourHub strengthens Malaysia's status as global leader in open data inventory assessment
PUTRAJAYA: The integrated digital analytics platform, MyLabourHub, launched today by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), will strengthen Malaysia's position as a global leader in the world's Open Data Inventory (ODIN) assessment. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said that MyLabourHub integrates institutions, data and technology to provide the latest labour market information to improve the country's score in the upcoming official Open Data Warehouse (ODW) report. He added that the portal, fully developed by DOSM, will benefit various stakeholders, including policymakers, industry players, training institutions and the public. 'In line with the aspiration to move towards a resilient statistical system in the era of digital innovation, this portal provides relevant, accurate and easily accessible information, thus enhancing the empowerment of citizen-centric statistical service delivery that is inclusive, integrated, transparent and secure,' Uzir said in his speech at the launch of MyLabourHub today. Additionally, MyLabourHub enables in-depth research for evidence-based policymaking by helping stakeholders understand labour market dynamics while strengthening action plans, impactful interventions and responses to economic changes. The official ODW report, released on April 29, marked a historic achievement for Malaysia, ranking first in the ODIN 2024/25 assessment, surpassing 198 other countries with an overall score of 90 and an outstanding data openness score of 99. This represents a significant leap from its 67th position in the 2022/23 assessment. Uzir also said that MyLabourHub offers key functionalities, including a labour market analytics platform that provides insights into employment trends, salary rates and skill requirements aligned with contemporary job markets. He highlighted that data updates within the platform occur in three categories: monthly, quarterly and annually, with all data sourced from relevant agencies, including the Department of Labour. Meanwhile, DOSM said in a statement today that MyLabourHub gathers more than 101 key indicators and 128 supporting indicators. 'It is structured under eight main themes, including labour supply and demand, labour productivity, graduates, the informal sector, labour costs, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),' it said. It added that the portal launch is a strategic initiative under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), aiming to realign the national labour market towards inclusive, sustainable and competitive economic growth.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MyLabourHub boosts Malaysia's global open data ranking
PUTRAJAYA: The integrated digital analytics platform, MyLabourHub, launched today by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), will strengthen Malaysia's position as a global leader in the world's Open Data Inventory (ODIN) assessment. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said that MyLabourHub integrates institutions, data and technology to provide the latest labour market information to improve the country's score in the upcoming official Open Data Warehouse (ODW) report. He added that the portal, fully developed by DOSM, will benefit various stakeholders, including policymakers, industry players, training institutions and the public. 'In line with the aspiration to move towards a resilient statistical system in the era of digital innovation, this portal provides relevant, accurate and easily accessible information, thus enhancing the empowerment of citizen-centric statistical service delivery that is inclusive, integrated, transparent and secure,' Uzir said in his speech at the launch of MyLabourHub today. Additionally, MyLabourHub enables in-depth research for evidence-based policymaking by helping stakeholders understand labour market dynamics while strengthening action plans, impactful interventions and responses to economic changes. The official ODW report, released on April 29, marked a historic achievement for Malaysia, ranking first in the ODIN 2024/25 assessment, surpassing 198 other countries with an overall score of 90 and an outstanding data openness score of 99. This represents a significant leap from its 67th position in the 2022/23 assessment. Uzir also said that MyLabourHub offers key functionalities, including a labour market analytics platform that provides insights into employment trends, salary rates and skill requirements aligned with contemporary job markets. He highlighted that data updates within the platform occur in three categories: monthly, quarterly and annually, with all data sourced from relevant agencies, including the Department of Labour. Meanwhile, DOSM said in a statement today that MyLabourHub gathers more than 101 key indicators and 128 supporting indicators. 'It is structured under eight main themes, including labour supply and demand, labour productivity, graduates, the informal sector, labour costs, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),' it said. It added that the portal launch is a strategic initiative under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), aiming to realign the national labour market towards inclusive, sustainable and competitive economic growth.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MyLabourHub to help Malaysia stay top in global open data ranking
PUTRAJAYA: The launch of MyLabourHub is expected to help Malaysia maintain its top global ranking in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) by strengthening the availability and accessibility of labour and social statistics. Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the platform aligns with the criteria assessed by Open Data Watch, which include the openness of social, economic and environmental data. "One of the key areas assessed by Open Data Watch is the availability of social, economic and environmental data. "With the launch of MyLabourHub, we are in a stronger position to sustain our No. 1 ranking," he said at the launch of MyLabourHub at the DOSM headquarters in Putrajaya today. Uzir added that DOSM will soon launch the Integrated Agricultural Statistical System (TaniStats), a centralised digital system that organises and simplifies agricultural data. Together with MyLabourHub, he said, the initiative will expand the scope of accessible data points, variables and structured datasets that are .evaluated in global assessments. "MyLabourHub and Tanistats are among the efforts that will increase the number of data points, variables and access mechanisms that are measured internationally." He said growing international attention on food security and agricultural resilience had prompted calls from institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for countries to strengthen their statistical systems in those areas. "These issues used to focus heavily on industrial data, but agriculture and food have now become major areas of concern globally." Uzir added that improving data in both labour and agriculture was key to reinforcing Malaysia's position. "I am confident that with MyLabourHub, Tanistats and other emerging initiatives, we can continue to elevate the country's name and maintain our position as a global leader in open data." Malaysia ranks first out of 198 countries in the ODIN 2024/25 report, rising from 67th in the previous edition. MyLabourHub compiles real-time labour market data from more than 40 ministries and agencies, offering detailed, accessible insights for policymakers, researchers and the public.
