(From left) Khairolnizam, Mohd Uzir, Policy and Strategic Planning Branch head Ayesha Ismail and Nabilah during the census taking in Penang.
BAYAN LEPAS: The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Penang has been conducting a census of 18,122 households in the agriculture sector across the state since July.
It will run until the month of October this year.
Nearly 65% of organisations and households involved in agricultural activities in Penang were surveyed on their crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, as well as forestry and logging.
According to Malaysia chief statistician and the 2024 Agriculture Census commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, this is the fourth census conducted by DOSM this year.
The survey was done in collaboration with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) and the Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) along with other agencies involved in agriculture.
Mohd Uzir mentioned that the census was part of the Government’s efforts to evaluate the performance of the agriculture industry in Malaysia.
It provides essential data on the profile of agricultural holdings, including demographic information, agricultural yields, input costs, farm size, land use and ownership, mechanisation and the use of technology.
He was speaking during an official one-day working visit to Penang, which included visits to Penaga (crops), Pulau Jerejak (aquaculture) and Sungai Bakap (crops).
Also present were Penang deputy commissioner (technical) Khairolnizam Hassan, Penang Agriculture (extension) deputy director Awang Iffaizul Awang Mohamad Sapuani and Penang Fisheries Department deputy director Nabilah Mohammed Yussof.
Based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report, the Penang agricultural sector contributed 1.9% to the state’s GDP, with an added value amounting to RM2.2bil.
The fisheries subsector was the largest contributor to the agriculture sector in the state, accounting for 40.0%, followed by the crops (33.0%) and livestock (27.0%) in 2023.
The findings from the census are expected to benefit farmers by providing them with more detailed data on crops and livestock, helping them make better decisions on how to increase supply chain efficiency and improve product offerings.
In addition, the data will assist policymakers and industry players in making more informed decisions and optimising operations within the agriculture sector.However, census takers faced challenges while canvassing for information in Penang, which include the reluctance of respondents to disclose agricultural information.
To address this, various efforts have been and are being made, such as providing explanations to the community and intensifying community engagement sessions.
These efforts are expected to help strengthen the census operation in the field.
For that reason, Mohd Uzir urged Penang agricultural organisations and entrepreneurs to cooperate with DOSM to ensure the completion of the census- taking, for the sustainability of the national agriculture sector.
This is in line with the 2024 Agriculture Census theme “Key to Agricultural Development.”
For more information on the 2024 Agriculture Census, visit www.myagricensus.gov.my.
The Malaysian government has declared Oct 20 each year as National Statistics Day (MyStats Day).
The theme for this year’s MyStats Day is “Statistics The Pulse of Life”.
DOSM also celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
