Penang: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has called for stronger support to advance value-added kenaf production, as rising demand and diverse industrial uses could significantly improve farmers' income and contribute to the country's green economy ambitions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader stated that Malaysia's kenaf sector has expanded steadily in recent years, with 623 growers cultivating 744 hectares (ha) in 2023. The National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) aims to increase this to 2,500 ha by 2026, or about 25,000 tonnes in estimated annual harvest.
He highlighted that the market value of kenaf products has also shown strong growth, rising to RM8.88 million in 2023 compared to RM5.57 million in 2022. As of the second quarter of this year, it reached RM6.28 million, marking a 74 percent increase over the previous year.
Mohideen emphasized that while expanding the cultivated area is important, Malaysia's real opportunity lies in moving towards value-added production, which can significantly increase farmers' earnings. Selling raw stalks yields modest returns, but processing them into higher-value products allows farmers to earn more from the same crop.
Kenaf fibres are increasingly used in sectors such as automotive components, green construction materials, packaging, biocomposites, and paper. This reflects a growing global demand for natural and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. Additionally, kenaf leaves, which are high in protein, could be sold as animal feed, while seeds show potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications based on early research. This allows farmers to generate additional revenue streams by utilizing parts of the plant that might otherwise be discarded.
Government agencies, including LKTN, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, and several local universities, are working to accelerate the shift towards higher-value kenaf products through improved planting materials, better processing techniques, and by linking farmers with industrial buyers.
Mohideen noted that CAP supports efforts by LKTN and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board to promote MyMS certification for kenaf-based products to enhance export competitiveness and build buyer confidence. He concluded that these developments illustrate the potential of value-added kenaf production not only to increase farmers' income but also to drive rural transformation and support Malaysia's broader economic and environmental goals.