Amirudin: We must make farming a cool and rewarding activity to attract young people.
SELANGOR is planning to introduce new policies and programmes to attract younger generations to farming, as part of efforts to bolster food security and ensure sustainability of the state’s agriculture sector.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari highlighted the necessity of this initiative, given that nearly three-quarters of the state’s farmers were aged 46 and above.
“More than 75% of our farmers are aged 46 and above, with over half being over 50.
“We must make farming a cool and rewarding activity to attract young people,” said Amirudin.
He said the upcoming state budget and Selangor’s development plan would include measures such as training and support programmes to facilitate this transition.
The Mentri Besar also emphasised the importance of enhancing national food security and promoting sustainable farming practices.
“Plantation operators are reducing the use of certain chemicals and excessive fertilisers while maintaining high and sustainable yields.
“For instance, Sime Darby Plantation’s estate in Pulau Carey, Kuala Langat, records some of the highest oil palm yields in Malaysia.
“That is an example of good farming practices,” he cited.
He said accurate and timely data was needed to enable swift policy adjustments.
“With more frequent and accurate data, we can make timely policy changes instead of waiting another 10 years,” he said at the launch of the Interim Report of the 2024 Agriculture Census for Selangor, held in Klang.
The last agriculture census was carried out in 2005.
The interim report revealed that Selangor has 37,117 agricultural holdings, of which 95.6% are operated by individuals and 4.4% by organisations.
Last year, the state’s agriculture sector generated RM8.8bil in sales, with crops contributing RM3.64bil, livestock RM3.16bil, and fisheries RM1.59bil.
Chief Statistician and Agriculture Census 2024 commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the 2024 census was the first in 19 years to encompass all sub-sectors, including crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, and logging – providing a comprehensive profile of Selangor’s agricultural landscape.
He highlighted Sabak Bernam as a leader with 9,296 agricultural holdings and the largest padi cultivation area of over 24,000ha, contributing RM220mil in rice sales last year, or 60% of the state’s total.
Mohd Uzir said the findings would serve as a benchmark for modernising agriculture and strengthening food security.
Also present were Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim, Selangor Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Johary Anuar and Selangor Statistics Department director Hartini Yaacob.
