THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY SECTOR IN MALAYSIA

THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY in Malaysia is being developed as a high-value sector under the National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan 2021-2030 are aiming to boost exports of products like furniture, engineered boards, and handicrafts. Exports grew to RM20.1 million in 2023 and yet the industry faces challenges in scaling up, including land shortages for cultivation and high reliance on imports for materials. The key aspects of the Malaysian Bamboo Industry include the Growth Potential and Policy in which the current government is pushing for the expansion of the industry to tap into the global bamboo market, which was valued at US$70.6 billion in 2023. The National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan 2021-2030 aims to elevate the industry from traditional uses to high-value and it engineered products. For the production and export stretegy in which while exports increased by 39% to RM20.1 million in 2023 from RM14.5 million in 2022, this is still considered low compared to major exporters like China. The cultivation and land use: are the focus on converting abandoned rubber plantation land (roughly 420,000 hectares) for bamboo cultivation. Strategy for the industry applications are beyond traditional handicrafts in which bamboo is being developed for industrial use, including engineered laminated boards, flooring, furniture, and as a 'green steel' alternative in construction. There are many challenges for the sector faces including land availability, with some landowners reluctant to switch to bamboo, and the need for greater investment in processing technology. In recent approach the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is actively encouraging the conversion of underutilized land for bamboo, highlighting its potential to turn into a significant income generator for the national economy. Experts noted that while bamboo is sustainable, more research is needed regarding its application as a safety barrier in infrastructure to ensure durability and strength. Reported that the National Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan 2021-2030 was launched to boost exports and promote the 'green material' in which The Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) is playing a central role in providing support, including soft loans for cultivating bamboo and encouraging industry investment. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I write about the bamboo industry sector in Malaysia.

Malaysia exported RM9.9 million worth of bamboo products last year. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the economic contribution of the Malaysian bamboo industry was still low compared with the US$68.8 billion (RM288.2 billion) global bamboo market. Bamboo is synonymous with the Malaysian community, with its handicraft products and for other daily uses. Various innovations and novelty products made from bamboo such as furniture, lamination boards, floors and fabrics have been widely used. Bamboo is also being used as a component in the construction industry known as green steel. The ministry with the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) will continue to ensure various programmes and initiatives related to the development of the bamboo industry will be implemented. This initiative is important as the bamboo industry can be developed as one of the commodity-agri to generate income as well as benefit the community. Products featured include bamboo strips, bamboo slips, planks, furniture, bicycles, guitars, flooring, accessories and bags. Bamboo industry cluster development would be implemented with the setting up of a bamboo nursery on a 1.7ha plot in Taman Industri Perabot Lahat in Ulu Kinta, Perak in which the development of a tissue culture lab for bamboo seedlings and research on the production of quality bamboo seedlings with an estimated production of 100,000 bamboo seeds per month is also being planned and will be implemented by 2020 with an allocation of RM7 million as reported.

Local media reported 'Land shortage hinders bamboo industry growth' is the the main obstacle in developing Malaysia's bamboo industry is land availability, said Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as he stated the size of available land created about the difficulties in establishing a sustainable commercial bamboo sector for the country. Today at least 2,000 hectares was needed to meet market demand or implement the concept of commercial bamboo cultivation. Obtaining land for bamboo planting is challenging due to limited availability from state governments throughout nations. In comparison, palm oil has 5.7 million hectares and rubber has 1.1 million hectares, while bamboo has only 4,000 hectares. This disparity hinders both upstream and downstream industrial development. He said Malaysia's bamboo industry generated only RM13.7 billion in exports over the past decade, with RM20.7 million generated last year. Malaysia imported bamboo last year for downstream industries, including 528 handicraft companies, seven furniture companies, three textile companies and 17 construction companies, as our local supply still falls short. Many state governments were not prepared to allocate land for bamboo cultivation and despite the incentives, many prefer to allocate land for palm oil cultivation due to its established ecosystem, comprehensive value chain and large export value that exceeds RM100 billion. Also reported that the Sarawak government has recently allocated 3,339 hectares for bamboo cultivation. This process has begun, but we have also faced challenges. Exploring forests raises deforestation concerns, potentially reducing forest cover to below 50 per cent. The rubber and palm oil landowners as comparison were reluctant to allocate land for bamboo cultivation. The Ministry's has to proposed some commitment to persuading landowners of the future benefits of bamboo cultivation. According to the Bamboo Global Market Report 2024, the global bamboo industry was valued at US$70.6 billion last year and was expected to grow to nearly US$100 billion by 2028. This increase in demand is driven by factors such as diverse bamboo product and more applications, including its potential as a sustainable resource. 

Other report stated that Maysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) is providing soft loans to those interested in cultivating bamboo. Its director-general Mohd Kheiruddin Mohd Sani said the Primary Industries Ministry had instructed MTIB to find a new sources of raw material for the timber industry, and as such it would now focus on bamboo. The ministry will focus on the bamboo industry where MTIB will provide soft loans for those interested. MTIB is searching for interested investors to come to the country and is also discussing with state governments to provide land for bamboo cultivation. He said this after the launch of the Pahang Wood and Lifestyle Fair at Kuantan Parade here today. Also present was MTIB's Bumiputera Empowerment director Kamaruzaman and hes mention there has been positive response from investors. MTB stff will be going to Japan in January 2020 as the tasks would be to carry out a dialogue on bamboo cultivation and to attract investors from Japan and plan to bring along from the state representatives from Pahang and Perak to participate in the bamboo dialogue. The visit and see what Bumiputera entreprenuers have in store in which the fair which will be open every year. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist Expert,

Melaka,

Malaysia.

(Febuary 2026)

ISSUE OF MUSANG KING IN MALAYSIA

MUSANG KING (Durio zibethinus) is the most premium durian variety in Malaysia but recently bya end 2025 and early 2026 the price of durians has fallen by as much as RM10 per kologram over the past two weeks ia a rare a phenomenon described by traders as highly unusual for this season of the 'King of fruits' has reported. A claim by Romi Hidayat who has been in the durian business for almost a decade, said the current season is unlike any he has seen before. He also mentioned that traditionally, demand for durians slows at the end of the year due to the holiday season and school expenses, but this year, prices have dropped sharply due to a glut of fruit, encouraging consumers to spend again. Previously the grade A Musang King, which is usually sold at RM65 to RM75 per kg can now be found for around RM25 to RM35 per kg. The drop has also affected other grades, such as Grade B and C Musang King, which are selling at RM15 to RM25 per kg compared with RM45 to RM55 previously, making durians more affordable. Some small Musang King fruits are even selling for as little as RM5 each in which is extremely rare. Added for Duri Hitam variety normally priced at RM65 to RM85 per kg, are now selling for RM20 to RM35, whereas in the off-season, prices can reach RM125 per kg, making this price drop particularly drastic. He attributed the fall in prices to supply and demand factors, as durians from multiple states ripened simultaneously while consumers were spending less. He said to avoid a further glut, farmers had to lower prices to clear their stock. As a trader, he happy to sell durians at affordable prices so more people can enjoy them, even though they were previously considered expensive. At the same time, I sympathise with farmers because the cost of cultivating quality durians is high and based on experience, the situation is likely temporary, and prices may return to normal in the next season. He hope durian prices can remain at a reasonable level where everyone benefits, farmers earn a profit, traders continue to do business, and customers are satisfied. Meanwhile, a trader who wished to be known as Amran said he had decided not to sell durians this season due to the very low prices and if he were to sell, the risk is high because the supply is too large and prices have fallen. He later decided to take a break temporarily. I may resume selling next season depending on the conditions. Report from the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) in a statement said that durian production is currently high because most states in Malaysia are in the harvesting period. The hot weather between May and July contributed to higher yields towards the end of 2025. However, not all durians can be widely marketed as export markets only accept fruit meeting premium grade standards. It said that end-of-year demand is usually lower compared with mid-year because consumer spending is prioritised for other needs such as school preparations, Ramadan, and Hari Raya celebrations in the following year. Durian consumption tends to decline because it is considered a delicacy rather than a daily necessity. This blog "Anim Agriculture Technology" discussed about issue on Musang King durian proce in Malaysia recently.

Selecting the best Musang King (D197) in Malaysia requires evaluating physical authenticity, ripeness, and the specific region of cultivation. In 2026, it remains the gold standard of Malaysian durians, recognized for its complex bittersweet profile. Criteria for Physical Authenticity Markers whereby to ensure you are buying a genuine Musang King rather than a substitute, look for these distinctive traits and the bottom Star: A prominent, bald, five-pointed star-shaped pattern at the base of the fruit. The spike Shape or the the thorns are large, pyramid-shaped, and relatively blunt compared to other varieties. For stem characteristics actually look for a long stem with a smooth, bald ring where it meets the thorns. The husk color are typically a dusky or light grayish green. About the criteria of Flesh and Flavor Quality where the sensory experience is the ultimate test of a high-quality Musang King:Color are the flesh must be a vibrant, deep golden yellow (resembling butter or turmeric). For the texture it should be extremely thick, creamy, and smooth, with a distinct 'shrink-wrapped' appearance over the seeds. The taste profile stated that a complex balance of intense sweetness followed by a lingering bitter finish. For the seed size with high-quality specimens typically have 'shrunken' or flat seeds, meaning there is more flesh to consume. Criteria for Determining Ripeness where the Shake Test and when shaken, you should feel a slight movement or hear a dull 'thump,' indicating the flesh has loosened from the shell and is ripe. For the Aroma: It should have a fresh, sweet, and rich scent. If the smell is faint, it is likely unripe; if it smells sour or overly alcoholic, it may be overripe. About the Weight if comparing two fruits of similar size, the lighter one is generally better as it indicates less water content and more mature flesh. The best criteria are the Origin Matters while Musang King is grown across Malaysia, certain regions are renowned for producing superior quality at Raub and Bentong, Pahang. This durian widely considered the premier source due to the hilly terrain and ideal soil conditions in which produce more intense flavor profiles.
Gua Musang, Kelantan reported the early original home of the variety, still known for traditional, high-quality yields. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist Expert,

Melaka,
Malaysia.

(January 2026).

DURIAN PRICE DROP IN MALAYSIA 2026

MOST PREMIUM DURIAN in Malaysia including Musang King durians have seen a dramatic price drop to as low as RM10 per kg as a nationwide oversupply strips the variety of its premium status. The glut has forced several growers to bypass middlemen and sell directly to consumers at orchard fronts to sustain their businesses. In Segamat, Johor, Che Tat Durian Segamat owner Muhamad Noriman Haikal Mohd Nazri, 25, said prices inevitably plummeted when supply exceeded demand. He said orchards planted with Musang King in previous years were now producing fruit simultaneously.  Musang King Grade A, which previously fetched between RM60 and RM75 per kg, has fallen to between RM45 and RM50 and for lower grades, some are being sold as cheaply as RM10 per kg depending on quality and size. However the stressed that the price drop did not reflect a decrease in production costs. A single Musang King tree costs about RM600 a year, covering fertiliser, pesticides, water, labour, and maintenance. He said that Musang King may lose its exclusive local status as consumers shift to varieties such as Duri Hitam, Duri Jering Sembilan, or Tupai King. In Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, 38-year-old orchard owner Mun Jing Chew has turned to roadside sales instead of selling only to wholesalers. 
He is running a promotion at RM10 per kg for small-sized Musang King. He said that while daily sales reach about RM15,000, this was only enough to cover annual management costs estimated at between RM200,000 and RM300,000. In Jerantut and Bentong, Grade C Musang King was found selling for as low as RM11 per kg, while Grade B was priced at RM18. Damak orchard owner Lim Kim Chooi, 62, said the oversupply, combined with tiger stripe disease, had triggered the price collapse. Lim, who owns 0.8 hectares of Musang King, said fertilisation, insect control and disease management remained expensive and with farm workers' wages and other costs, the price cannot fall below RM20 per kg, or we will suffer losses. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog I share the issue about thrs drop of durian price in Malaysia since end 2025 until early 2026.

Local media reported that 'Durian glut proves thorny for sellers' where along a two-lane road leading to Ipoh which is famous for its fruit stalls, 62-year-old Ismail Ibrahim and other long-time durian sellers are struggling with an oversupply of the "King of Fruits" that has sent prices crashing. For Ismail, many rural families in Malaysia depend on seasonal sales of the spiky fruit as their key source of income as many are unemployed, retired or rely on irregular odd jobs. But the recent abundant harvest has turned out to be a bane on prices, signalling a bleak start to 2026. He have been selling from 11am. Compared with two to three years ago, the prices now are the worst. There is an oversupply of the fruit, so the natural impact is that prices spiral downwards in which durian prices were higher, about RM20 to RM25 a kg last year. Then it came down to RM8, and now to as low as RM5. It truly hurts me to see prices plunge. But this is business. Ismail was speaking from his stall here, where roadsides are lined with fruit trees , rambutan, mangosteen, coconut and durian. Traditional Malay wooden houses topped with bright red zinc roofs complete the rustic scenery. Ismail's stall is a flimsy wooden shed with some long tables and a few chairs that allow customers to relish the thorny, pungent king of the fruits. Reported that Malaysians love it and will travel many kilometres to get good quality fruit, including the local durians popularly called 'durian kampung'. The fruit is usually smaller with thick sweet flesh. But the real attraction of durian kampung is that farmers do not use pesticides or chemicals to enhance its size or quality and profits are being squeezed due to the glut, so it is a buyers' market. Two customers filled up almost three containers with 25kg of durians for only RM108. If he can get back our capital for today, it is good enough. Tomorrow is another day and his profit, if he are lucky, is about RM400. But I have to share it with my partner. A small profit is still good enough. Just then a man and his son from Shah Alam walked into the stall. He was getting dark and Ismail was determined to sell all his durians, as they are perishable items and they need to be sold on the same day because if the fruits crack open, they become spoilt. The father-and-son pair managed to reduce the price from RM8 to RM5 a kg, more than 37 per cent cheaper. Just across the road under a large umbrella, 70-year-old Musa Ismail, a former railway company worker, sat on a chair hoping for the last six fruits to be sold before nightfall to avoid losses. For the past five years, he has been selling durians to supplement his monthly pension. The average price last year was RM12 a kg. For about RM200 now they can get 30 to 50 fruits. Every morning, he go deep into neighboring villages on my bike to look for good fruits.
 

Another report from local media stated that 'Sabah durian prices stable despite drop in peninsula' where in Sabah’s premium durian prices have remained stable despite reports of a price drop in Peninsular Malaysia, said State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi. Sabah's premium durian prices have remained stable despite reports of a price drop in Peninsular Malaysia while there had been widespread reporting on falling prices of premium durians such as Musang King and Black Thorn in the peninsula due to oversupply, the situation in Sabah was different. There have been reports in the media that premium durian prices have declined in the peninsula. In Sabah, prices are still holding steady at around RM45 per kilogram at the farm gate for Grade A, while Grade B and C are fetching about RM35 per kilogram/ He said the price drop in the peninsula was mainly due to an oversupply of low-grade durians. The Sabah's premium durian industry continued to benefit from export demand, particularly for high-grade fruit where he would like to encourage farmers, especially those interested in cultivating premium durians such as Musang King, to remain confident. The export market for Grade A and B durians remains strong. The grade C durians and those below are still within a price range that allows farmers to make a profit and the ministry aimed to alleviate poverty in Sabah by encouraging the cultivation of premium durian varieties. A mature durian tree could produce approximately 50 fruits, averaging two kilograms each. At current market rates, this can generate an income of over RM4,000 per tree. The export potential, particularly to China, demanded yield from at least 4,046 hectares of plantation and the current statistics showed that Sabah had only 2,023 hectares of plantation, with only 324 hectares currently matured and producing fruit. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Melaka,

Malaysia.

(January 2026).

MALAYSIAN RUBBER INDUSTRY - REVIVAL

MALAYSIA TODAY ranking seventh globally in natural rubber production in 2020 and recorded a total production of 469.7 thousand tonnes in 2021 a decrease of 8.7% from the previous year. Before reported the planted area for natural rubber in Malaysia reached around 1.14 million hectare about the same area as the previous year in 2023. The nation's Natural Rubber production has faced a declining trend with an average annual growth rate of -6.9% from 2015 to 2021 as reported. However recently the Plantation and Commodities Minister has underscored the urgent need to revive Malaysia's natural rubber industry. His visit comes at a critical juncture as our Malaysia known as once the world's leading exporter of natural rubber but now finds itself among the largest importers of the commodity. The focused on rediscovering abandoned rubber plantations, increasing production, enhancing the downstream industry, and positioning Malaysia as a leading exporter once again. Malaysia still imports one (1) million tonnes of natural rubber worth RM6 billion annually for downstream industries. Presently reported that the country only produces around 380,000 metric tonnes of rubber. There are still 420,000 hectares of abandoned rubber plantations. If these can be worked on he urged it will reduce Malaysian dependency on imports. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog I share an information about the revival of rubber industry in Malaysia.

In other statement the minister told reporter that 'Malaysia must be a leading rubber producer again' as he said Malaysia must become one of the world’s leading producers of sustainable natural rubber again. He stated that Malaysia were once the world's largest rubber producer, generating 1 million tonnes of rubber after launching the Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber (MSNR) guidelines. Today however the production has now dropped to just 380,000 tonnes and asa aresult the country has to import rubber, amounting to RM6 billion to meet domestic demand. Reported that over the years the other countries including Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have overtaken Malaysia as rubber producers. For the record that Malaysia's rubber exports to global markets last year totaled over RM37 billion, with RM3.2 billion destined for the European market. He tolg media that Malaysia could emerge as a leading rubber producer again if it optimised 1.1 million hectares of rubber plantations nationwide as there were idle plantations. The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) urged to engage rubber smallholders and plantation owners who have abandoned their estates to resume tapping operations. When we ask them (to resume operations), they cite reasons such as being too old to tap, high maintenance costs, and low rubber prices. He said the ministry, along with MRB and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), will explore ways to reactivate the idle plantations with the consent of the landowners. If they agree to cooperate with us, we will hire workers to tap the rubber trees on their land to boost production, and they will receive a portion of the profits to increase production would help the country cut down on importing natural rubber. One of the main global issues facing the rubber industry is the lack of traceability in raw materials. Currently Malaysia's rubber products hold a 16 per cent market share in the EU, valued at RM3.235 billion.

In other issues reported that Malaysia's natural rubber industry lacking in sustainability are identified. Malaysia is the world’s seventh largest producer and eighth largest consumer of natural rubber in the world. Rubber products in Malaysia are broadly used for three sectors, namely tyres, industrial custom rubber products, and consumables such as gloves and shoes. There are reports released yesterday stated that there's still a lack of sustainability and traceability in the natural rubber industry in Malaysia. The reports, entitled "Mapping the Natural Rubber Value Chain in Malaysia" and "Addendum Report on Rubberwood", found that the problem pertaining to the supply chain of natural rubber lies in the systemic structures of the production system. Malaysia is the world's seventh largest producer and eighth largest consumer of natural rubber in the world. Rubber products in Malaysia are broadly used for three sectors, namely tyres, industrial custom rubber products, and consumables such as gloves and shoes. Malaysia is a major importer of natural rubber from Thailand, as most Malaysian-grown natural rubber goes to tyre applications. The rubber sector is the second largest agricultural sector in Malaysia behind the oil palm sector, and has a significant impact on the environment. For the rubberwood sector, around 90 to 95 per cent of rubberwood goes towards the furniture segment in Malaysia. This segment accounts for 70 to 75 per cent of the rubberwood sector's RM8 to RM9 billion per year of export value in recent years. Rubber production is dominated by smallholders, at 96 per cent, and is a crucial sector in providing job security. As an important commodity to the nation and the rural population, WWF conducted a study to understand the natural rubber value chain in the country. The study found two key issues pertaining to the natural rubber industry, being the lack of sustainability and lack of traceability. The sustainability challenges stem from the fact that the industry is dominated by smallholders. According to Dr Adrian Choo, lead for WWF-Malaysia's Sustainable Markets Programme: "The lack of proper transparency and traceability in the natural rubber industry is rooted in the production system, as it is dominated by smallholders. The incentives or lack thereof is a major influence on their attitudes towards the environment. This challenge is not unique to rubber, but to many other commodities in general. There is also minimal disclosure in public corporate and sustainability reports for natural rubber. While the processing stages are relatively straightforward, there are complex sustainability challenges at the subsequent value chain stages. The reports found that market instruments, such as certification and premium, are important in mainstreaming sustainability in the natural rubber landscapes. However, key factors such as the synergy between sustainability platforms, smallholder equity, commitment and corresponding practices by major natural rubber buyers, and sustainable financing need to be present.  In terms of sustainability, some major Malaysian furniture companies indicate the usage of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Controlled Wood and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified wood, although the volumes used are not publicly disclosed. Currently, there is an increase of sustainability mechanisms for natural rubber sourcing, which include certification schemes, roundtables and supplier rating systems. The challenge is to create synergy between the various sustainability schemes to mainstream sustainable natural rubber. For the rubberwood sector, the prospects for sustainable rubberwood appear promising, as concerns on climate change point to an increased interest in wood, to reduce the usage of carbon-intensive steel and cement in the built environment. For instance, cemboards, or cement boards (particleboards made from the combination of cement and wood fibres) are one of the primary products from processing rubberwood. Nonetheless, interest in FSC and PEFC certifications are challenged by the smallholder-dominated rubberwood landscape, and the lack of interest from seasoned stakeholders. Financial support, incentives and group organisation are required to encourage the certification of rubber plantations, particularly by the younger generation of smallholders. The lack of transparency and traceability impedes the sustainability of the natural rubber sector in Malaysia, and they must be addressed. Fundamental restructuring of the marketing system that will enhance greater financial returns to smallholders is also badly needed. Unless smallholders are incentivised to produce rubber sustainably, it remains challenging to convince them to shift from their embracement of current revenue generation models. Financial incentive is the key. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Melaka,

Malaysia.

(October 2024).

Update article on January 2026.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026...

VERTICAL FARMING IN SINGAPORE

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!

SINGAPORE NEW VERTICAL FARMING farm targeted to produce 500,000 kg of greens annually and maximum capacity to produce annually up to more than 500,000 kg of leafy greens. Production are for the local consumers in Singapore using their Dryponics method. Dryponics keeps the plants alive, with the roots intact, until they reach the consumer. Earlier this year the Singapore-based agri-tech company known as Sustenir made headlines with its lab-grown strawberries and arugula in its hydroponic facility. Now, the startup has just expanded into Hong Kong to start vertical farming in the city, producing two kinds of kale at their Tuen Mun facility. Sustenir’s vertical farming technology presents an alternative to the current food system operating in hot and humid climates like Hong Kong and Singapore. By growing non-native crops in lab-controlled settings, the startup hopes to alleviate dependence on foreign food imports, which generates additional carbon emissions, and food waste in the transportation process.  Blog "Anim Agriculture Technology" report on an article about the vertical farming in Singapore as a new agriculture project fo food production.

The blog writer able to visit a site in Singapore to verify one of kind of vertical farming project in Ang Mo Kio housing area in Singapore recent months. Fresh Vegetable produce sold at SGD5.000 per pack with organic certification on the label (See picture above). However, after its latest round of series A funding in which attracted US$15.4 million in investment from venture capital firms including Grok Ventures and Tamesek Holdings, Sustenir has recently launched a new 30,000 square foot hydroponic farming facility in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong. The produce currently launched in the city include “Kinky Kale” and “Toscano Kale”. The company is also looking to bring in new offerings in the near future, including kale juice and pesto, both of which they sell in Singapore. Commenting on the reasons behind their launch in Hong Kong, co-founder and CEO of Sustenir Benjamin Swan told Green Queen that “Hong Kong has similar constraints to space as Singapore and has a similar reliance to imported produce. Our mission has always been to be present in countries and communities with heavy reliance to imports, so we can produce locally and lessen carbon emissions from import transportation.” The company in which was founded in Singapore in 2013, produces crops that are in local demand using laboratory-controlled vertical farming methods based on artificial intelligence and LED lighting, which helps photosynthesis in plants. Using this technology, the shelf-life of Sustenir’s farmed crops can be extended, which helps to reduce food wastage. In addition, by growing non-native crops in a local facility, the concept minimises the carbon footprint involved in transporting foods, as well as wasted food that often results in the logistical process of importing fresh produce. This is particularly relevant for Hong Kong, where over 90% of the city’s food supplies are imported from abroad, and for the wider Asian region, which is responsible for over half of global waste. To cater to Hong Kong tastes specifically in their first launch outside of Singapore, Swan said to Green Queen: “When we enter a country, we always make sure that we tailor our products to the tastes and wants of the people so we can truly give a product made in Hong Kong for Hong Kong.” Now that their first international foray under their belt, Sustenir hopes to be able to first increase their product offerings in the facility, including growing other leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, arugula and basil, and to continue to launch more urban vertical farms across Asian cities.

Thanks.

By,

M Anim,

Putrjaya,

Malaysia.

(December 2020).

Report updated on 1.1.2026.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!

RICE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA - AN ANALYSIS (PART 8)

RICE (Oryza sativa) is an important staple food for nearly half the world’s population. In Malaysia, rice and paddy cultivation kickstarted in the early 60s with small-scale farming in which later expanded by leaps and bounds before emerging as the country’s utmost important food crop. Over the decades, Malaysian rice production system has been suffering from various challenges which include extreme weather conditions, poor soil fertility and nutrient management, farmers’ lack of awareness and knowledge, hesitancy against Genetically-Modified planting materials (GMO) and poor deployment of technology. The national rice production and consumption, simply measured as self-sufficiency status staggers in between 67 and 70%. The Southeast Asia region has been an important rice export trader with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, among the biggest rice-producing nations. Food security, under the context of sustaining international rice trading ties, succumbs to functional fluctuations of global supply chains. During the covid pandemic outbreak the containment period during the outbreak led to significant disruptions to the food production chain. During the early phase of the pandemic, Malaysia experienced a volatile rice import trend, facing difficulty to secure a committed rice trading partner. In this review, we discuss the trajectory of the rice and paddy industry in Malaysia since its inception, lab-to-field translated breeding strategies adopted for rice yield improvement, governmental participation and contribution (approaches, policies and programs) and technologies in use for rice production. Further, relevant cutting-edge technologies, agricultural methods and practices catered for modern Malaysian rice farming, with opportunities to improve and enhance crop health and resilience are included. The review findings inform new rice agricultural practices, suggest research directions toward sustainable rice farming and provide a comprehensive knowledge base to accelerate innovation, technology diffusion and technology adoption for a resilient rice production system in Malaysia.  I published more than 100 article on rice industry in my blog for the past 15 years. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I want to discuss about an analysis of rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings.

Paddy planting technology improved for higher productivity for more people to consume in years to come. In the future prospective and opportunities toward crop improvement and greater productivity there should more innovation to be done. In Malaysia the rice farmers are mainly older adults in their 50s and 60s and data shows that the young generation (age less than 40 years) participation for paddy cultivation is insignificant as they represent less than 17% of the total farmers group population. Back to the survey shown that the literacy wise in which most farmers aged 60 and above had received up to secondary schooling only. These farmers are comfortable with easy handling tools such as straw cutter, weeding machine and ploughing machine catered at the production level. In general, the utilization of farming tools remains traditional, and no apparent application of high-end technology had been practiced. Since most of these farmers belong to the small-scale rice farming group with low buying power normally as a practice they are highly dependent on the incentives and subsidies provided by the federal government. Hence, only large-scale rice farm owners with higher buying power are keen in purchasing and owning modern equipment such aa teh harvester machine and few others. In the survey by ministry conducted in the MADA rice granary area found that 65% of the total respondent for rice farmers reported as above 51 years old showed positive acceptance to technology despite noting the difficult handling procedure. This may cause the undeniably of the technology carries a toll on the cost of production. As for the precision rice agriculture by agency able to offer various technologies for land such as the levelling systems, seed sowing coupled with conversion rate, yield monitoring and early warning system and fertilization technology package. From my observation eih DOA reports that the technology developed for land levelling technology package and variable rate seedling which costs RM225/ha (USD$50.50) at that time but now increase accordingly in 2023. Some of the paddy farmers with fairly good acceptance to precision technologies but in 2023 the rising cost of production is a big stumbling block crossing into their profit margin especially after Russia-Ukraine War, Palestine -Israel War and pasca covid91 pandemic. Reported for inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticide increase up to 150% since 2022 respectively. Please read my article regarding this issue by link to this (Click Here) and (Click Here).

The important of rice as a staple food in Malaysia was a non-sense when the price hike from RM2.60 per kilogram as controlled item to more that doble in middle 2023 (for imported rice). May be Malaysia can never escape from the controversy surrounding the use of chemical fertilizers as it was a global situation. The usage of chemical or inorganic fertilizer is widespread and common for the cost-effective production of agricultural crops. It ensures bountiful harvests at affordable costs but at the expense of human health and our ecosystem. Besides, rice farming is highly polluting since hundreds of millions of tons of rice husk and straw are produced along the cycle. The open burning of these wastes leads to air pollution and emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) mainly due to incomplete combustion. Reported that may be a paradigm shift to a greener agricultural practice is needed to ensure sustainability and clean environment. As the country moves toward developed status, green fertilizers and nanotechnology offer potential solution for sustainable agriculture. The utilization of nanomaterials for precision agriculture will cut on nutrient losses during fertilization and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by controlled release of nutrients, fertilizers and pesticides while elevating productivity. Circular economy promotes the shift toward sustainable waste management and hence, to use the waste products of paddy farming, such as the rice husk is commendable since this practice of value creation will indirectly cut on carbon footprint while embracing multiple SDGs. The steering away of chemical fertilizer will ensure not only a cleaner food chain but will put waste material into beneficial agriculture input to enhance productivity.
 

This article discussed a long way ti identify the long history of Malaysian rice industry since farming was established at the pre-independence era. In the 1960’s, soils in Peninsular Malaysia were ranked amongst the most superior quality in terms of organic matter factor. The swampy condition of west coast facilitated accumulation of soil organic matter (SOM). Long standing research on improved rice planting materials are primarily conducted using traditional breeding program. Government policy and support for a productive rice system is most evident through the implementation of Paddy Production Incentive Schemes and Guaranteed Minimum Price standardization under the paddy supply chain. Despite differences in environmental factors, mainly soil fertility, rice domestic trading has been serving equal in both high and low performing rice granaries. Farmers (for more than 50 years old) are the main actors of rice agricultural system; however, technology-enabled farming practices are least observed. On a global perspective, the rice industry in Malaysia fall behind in regard to yield and productivity as a result of unattended or widening gaps in the utilization of Genetically-Modified (GM) planting materials, nano fertilization and technology-driven farming practices. There is an urgent need to understand the GM-hesitancy culture among local farmers and educate them accordingly. Ultimately, farmers are the backbone support for rice research and development activities in Malaysia. It takes two hands to clap. For me maybe it takes effective farmer-researcher communication for meaningful laboratory to farm translational research and acceptance. This article has eight (8) segments for discussion on rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings. Thanks. Source: NSTP, Anim Agro Technology and frontliners.com respectively...

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(Created: November 2023).

Modified: 26 December 2025

RICE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA - AN ANALYSIS (PART 7)

RICE (Oryza sativa) is an important staple food for nearly half the world’s population. In Malaysia, rice and paddy cultivation kickstarted in the early 60s with small-scale farming in which later expanded by leaps and bounds before emerging as the country’s utmost important food crop. Over the decades, Malaysian rice production system has been suffering from various challenges which include extreme weather conditions, poor soil fertility and nutrient management, farmers’ lack of awareness and knowledge, hesitancy against Genetically-Modified Planting materials (GMO) and poor deployment of technology. The national rice production and consumption, simply measured as self-sufficiency status staggers in between 67 and 70%. The Southeast Asia region has been an important rice export trader with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, among the biggest rice-producing nations. Food security, under the context of sustaining international rice trading ties, succumbs to functional fluctuations of global supply chains. During the covid19 pandemic reported that the containment period during the outbreak led to significant disruptions to the food production chain. During the early phase of the pandemic, Malaysia experienced a volatile rice import trend, facing difficulty to secure a committed rice trading partner. In this review, we discuss the trajectory of the rice and paddy industry in Malaysia since its inception, lab-to-field translated breeding strategies adopted for rice yield improvement, governmental participation and contribution (approaches, policies and programs) and technologies in use for rice production. Further, relevant cutting-edge technologies, agricultural methods and practices catered for modern Malaysian rice farming, with opportunities to improve and enhance crop health and resilience are included. The review findings inform new rice agricultural practices, suggest research directions toward sustainable rice farming and provide a comprehensive knowledge base to accelerate innovation, technology diffusion and technology adoption for a resilient rice production system in Malaysia.  I published more than 100 article on rice industry in my blog for the past 15 years. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I want to discuss about an analysis of rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings.

There are many systems of growing paddy in this world. There are around four methods of cultivating rice known as broadcasting, drilling, transplantation and Japanese method. In some countries rice is mostly grown throughout the year in hot and humid regions. Based on the season and different species normally the life cycle of the rice plant is around 100 to 210 days. The life cycle of rice generally includes the vegetative stage, reproductive stage, and ripening stage. Each stage can be subdivided into more detailed stages. In the vegetative phase of growth there are four stages known as emergence, seedling development, tillering and lastly internode elongation. Similarly, later the reproductive phase of growth is subdivided into five stages known as pre-booting, booting, heading, grain filling and lastly maturity. Back to the topic in which the service models for rice farming in Malaysia are changing. In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones have become an important tool for precision agriculture. According to the US-based 1996 Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International in which about 80% of the future drone market is expected to engage in agriculture sector. Drone platform offers opportunities to fetch a wide array of more agronomically important datasets; soil analysis, mapping and detection of outliers, irrigation, spraying and planting of plants. In rice, the above ground biomass which accounts for yield-related traits such as number of panicles, spikelets or grains per panicle, percentage of filled kernels/grains, grain weight and others, cumulatively determine the yield potential of rice at a given growing cycle. Effective monitoring of yield-related traits is particularly important to gain insights into crop growth stability and yield.

From beginning of rice industry until today reported that rice cultivation in Malaysia has a long history of being dominated by small farmers. In general, they can be classified into five different groups based on the land hold area identified bay DOA as marginal size (less than 1 hectare), small farm size (1 - 2 hectare), Semi-medium size (2 - 4 hectare), medium size (4 -10 hectares) and large size or commercial grower's holders (more than 0 hectares). In Malaysia lately as I do know in which the drone technology for agriculture is mainly employed in private sectors especially in granary area. Although the drone industry had established a broad niche of application in agricultural systems (oil palm, mainly) but from my observation that the impact on Malaysian rice farmers is relatively minimal at engagement in sprayer drones solely. Please read my article about the drone in my article (Click Here) for reference. Sprayer drones are used to facilitate timely application of fertilizer, pesticides and other chemicals alike. Professional drone users do not hail from the farmers community. Spray drones are offered as service models and are mostly distributed in the high performing rice granaries in Malaysia (Tanjung Karang, Sekinchan). Since drone technology is gaining attention, paving new directions in modern rice farming, more youngsters are pursuing technical courses which are readily available locally. For example, the My Drone Services offers technical courses (basics for drone user and agriculture pilot drone) on the handling, maintenance and management of drones. Similar courses (professional drone navigator) are also organized at the community college levels (eg. Kolej Komuniti Sabak Bernam, Selangor). On a daily basis reported that an average capacity drone could cover up to 10 hectares of paddy field. The charges are based on area size covered; RM12-20 (USD2.70 - 4.50) for a quarter of a hectare. Some reports with local farmers (Feb 2020) in Tanjung Karang in Selangor found drones were favored for the technology that was fast-spraying efficiency which subsequently improved rice production via mitigation of pest, disease and lodging. This article has eight (8) segments for discussion on rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings. Thanks. Source: NSTP, Anim Agro Technology and frontliners.com respectively...

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(Prepared on November 2023).

Updated by December 2025.

MERRY CHRISTMAS....