Latest news with #FoodSecurityandCooperativeDevelopmentCommittee
The Sun
5 days ago
- 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
5 days ago
- 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.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Penang to launch raids on durian fraud hotspots, warns sellers against mislabelling
KEPALA BATAS: Authorities in Penang have identified several hotspots selling imported durians, particularly from Thailand, falsely marketed as the famed Balik Pulau variety. State Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said joint operations involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Agriculture Department and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will 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 raids and issue compounds,' he told reporters after officiating the State Interim Report Launch at the Bumbong Lima Agricultural Training Institute today. Also present was Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Chief Statistician and Agriculture Census 2024 Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He said the enforcement followed public complaints and ongoing monitoring by authorities, including a recent roadblock at the Juru toll plaza involving 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 stressed that 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 encouraged the public to report suspicious sellers and noted that most legitimate durian farmers in Penang have adopted the tracking system to boost transparency and consumer confidence.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Penang to launch raids on durian fraud hotspots
KEPALA BATAS: Authorities in Penang have identified several hotspots selling imported durians, particularly from Thailand, falsely marketed as the famed Balik Pulau variety. State Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said joint operations involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Agriculture Department and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will 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 raids and issue compounds,' he told reporters after officiating the State Interim Report Launch at the Bumbong Lima Agricultural Training Institute today. Also present was Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Chief Statistician and Agriculture Census 2024 Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He said the enforcement followed public complaints and ongoing monitoring by authorities, including a recent roadblock at the Juru toll plaza involving 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 stressed that 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 encouraged the public to report suspicious sellers and noted that most legitimate durian farmers in Penang have adopted the tracking system to boost transparency and consumer confidence.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Barnama
Penang To Launch Raids On Durian Fraud Hotspots, Warns Sellers Against Mislabelling
KEPALA BATAS, June 17 (Bernama) -- Authorities in Penang have identified several hotspots selling imported durians, particularly from Thailand, falsely marketed as the famed Balik Pulau variety. State Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said joint operations involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Agriculture Department and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will 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 raids and issue compounds,' he told reporters after officiating the State Interim Report Launch at the Bumbong Lima Agricultural Training Institute today. Also present was Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Chief Statistician and Agriculture Census 2024 Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He said the enforcement followed public complaints and ongoing monitoring by authorities, including a recent roadblock at the Juru toll plaza involving 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 stressed that 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 encouraged the public to report suspicious sellers and noted that most legitimate durian farmers in Penang have adopted the tracking system to boost transparency and consumer confidence.
