HIGH TEMPERATURE AFFECT FOOD SUPPLY

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE started in from February to April 2026 and prolonged dry spells in Malaysia, particularly during El Nino-induced heatwaves, are causing significant damage to crops, reducing yields, and increasing operational costs for farmers, according to reports by the New Straits Times (NST) portal. reported that based on recent (March 2026) reports, the key impacts on Malaysian agriculture include for the Padi Production Affected in which over 13,000 hectares of padi fields in Perak (specifically Seberang Perak and Sungai Manik) have been affected by water supply shortages. Similarly, hundreds of hectares of rice fields in Kedah, Negri Sembilan, and Melaka are experiencing stunted growth and dry conditions with potential yields threatened by up to 30%–80% in extreme scenarios. In other case in which in Cameron Highlands Vegetable Yields farmers are on alert as high temperatures exceeding 30°C in the northern states indicate that warmer, drier conditions will soon hit the highlands, affecting temperate vegetable farming and reducing yields. Earlier reports noted smaller, sour strawberry harvests due to heat stress. Issue of Water Scarcity and Costs whereby the farmers are facing rising operational costs due to the need for increased water usage, including installing pumps and water tanks. In other case the mixed effects on fruits seen in which some reports indicate that prolonged heat has boosted the quality and sweetness of Harumanis mangoes (MA224) in the northern peninsula, it also poses challenges in terms of crop management, requiring more intensive irrigation to prevent wilting. The impact also occure for livestock that stress in which the high temperatures have caused livestock, such as cattle, to suffer from heat stress, with some farmers losing cattle, which in turn leads to significant economic losses. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog explained the issue on high temperature affect food supply in Malaysia as reported by local mainstream media.

Reported also the Cameron Highlands farmers on alert as heatwave threatens vegetable yields whereby vegetable farmers in Cameron Highlands are on alert following the prolonged hot and dry spell in the northern states, with past weather patterns suggesting similar conditions could reach the highlands by April or May 2026. According to the Cameron Highlands Chinese Farmers Association deputy president Cheng Nan Hong said historical trends show that when temperatures in northern states exceed 30°C for a prolonged period, the highlands typically average at 23°C with at the greenhouse temperatures reaching 28°C. He said such temperatures were not optimal for temperate vegetable farming and could significantly reduce yields. As for now, temperatures remain manageable, as Cameron Highlands is typically warmer after the hot and dry spell in Kedah, Penang and Perlis subsides. If temperatures in Ipoh climb to about 36°C in April or May, the average temperature in Cameron Highlands could reach 23°C, translating to around 28°C in greenhouses and if this happens, mild-weather vegetables will wilt and production will be badly affected. The hot and dry spell in the northern states has persisted since early January, with Kedah the worst affected. The Meteorological Department said temperatures in the state have reached between 37°C and 40°C, with little to no rainfall over the past three months. A Kedah-based poultry operator, Mazlina Kamarudin, said the prolonged heat had forced operators to incur additional costs for water supply logistics but the production was stable with sufficient supply. The additional cost for water supply is not significant to the point that chicken and egg prices need to be increased where prolonged or worsening conditions could eventually affect production. According to Malaysian Coastal Fishermen's Network Education and Welfare Association chairman Che Ani Mat Zain said the prevailing weather pattern had also affected coastal fishing, although it is not a new phenomenon. For them this is not new to us. It has been happening since the 1970s, but climate change has intensified the heat during this period in the northern states.

Reported on mainstream media in which over 13,000ha of padi fields in Kedah and Perak affected by hot weather first quarter in 2026. Above are phote of a padi field in Kampung Tebuk Panchor in Bagan Serai, Perak that severely affected by the hot and dry weather recently. Padi fields in the Seberang Perak Irrigation Scheme and Sungai Manik Irrigation Scheme located in the Perak Tengah and Hilir Perak districts have been affected by the hot weather phenomenon and it is understood that the padi fields covering an area of ​​13,356ha are facing water supply problems due to the hot and dry weather and the lack of rain recently and this incident has affected padi growth. Stated that state government would submit the issue to the relevant parties to find the best solution to ease the burden of about 5,561 padi farmers and ensure that padi yields continue to be guaranteed. During inspection the area yesterday and it is very serious because it affects the padi industry in the Seberang Perak Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) which is one of the country's main padi granaries. Also steted that assistance from the Perak Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to add water pumps to provide a more stable water supply to the padi fields. The government asked to bear the cost of purchasing diesel for water pumps because it was found that farmers had to bear the cost of diesel for water pumps provided by IADA and DID and urged the farmers and the people to perform prayers to ask for abundant rain. reported that two days ago, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) announced that the entire state of Perlis, four districts in Kedah and one district in Perak had recorded a Level 2 heat wave, while 13 other areas in Peninsular Malaysia were at Level 1, which is on alert. and according to MetMalaysia, Level 2 is declared when the daily maximum temperature exceeds between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days, while Level 1 refers to the daily maximum temperature between 35 and 37°C during the same period. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist,

Room 507, Micasa All-Suite Hotel,

Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia.

(April 2026)