PUTRAJAYA: The nation’s agricultural workforce is ageing rapidly even as job prospects for agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates continue to improve, according to the latest Agricultural TVET in Malaysia study.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the sector faces a major challenge, with one in every two plantation workers now aged 40 and above, while youth participation in agriculture continues to decline.
He added that TVET opportunities in agriculture remain concentrated in several states, despite significant potential for expansion in Johor, Pahang and Perak.
“The question before us is no longer whether we have sufficient resources, but whether we have the determination to fully harness the assets already available to us,” he said at the presentation of the study report yesterday.
Isham said the findings will help shape future policies, including tailoring training programmes to state-specific needs, reducing risks for agricultural entrepreneurs and strengthening industry collaboration to support graduates in building sustainable careers.
The study, conducted by PNB Research Institute (PNBRI) in collaboration with the ministry, is the first comprehensive analysis based on seven years of administrative data involving graduates from agricultural TVET institutions under the ministry.
Despite the challenges, the report highlighted encouraging improvements in graduate outcomes.
Isham said the employment rate among agricultural TVET graduates rose from 61% in 2018 to 76% in 2024, before climbing to 85.92% in 2025.
Graduate employability, which includes those who are employed, pursuing further studies, undergoing upskilling programmes or awaiting placement, also increased from 81.23% in 2024 to 89.47% in 2025.
Four Malaysian Skills Certificate programmes achieved a 100% graduate employability rate last year – poultry, marine aquaculture, marketing and food processing.
Isham said the achievements reflected the effectiveness of investments in developing skilled talent for the agri-food sector.
“However, the study also openly highlights the realities and challenges ahead,” he said, adding that greater efforts are needed to attract more young people to the industry.
Isham noted that the findings were presented at the National TVET Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on June 4.
He added that the collaboration between the ministry and PNBRI would strengthen research, innovation and data-driven policymaking in support of the National Food Security Policy 2030.
Isham said the partnership would also promote closer public-private sector cooperation to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
