PUTRAJAYA, The negative impact of the Southwest Monsoon (MBD) on the agricultural sector and the country’s food production can be effectively addressed through the use of efficient technology and thorough preparation at all levels.
The MBD, which begins this month until September, is expected to bring drier weather and most states will experience more days without rain, leading to issues of water scarcity and agricultural output.
Director of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof Dr Anjas Asmara Samsudin, said that the MBD phenomenon is not new to the country and the government has taken various control measures to mitigate its impact.
“Although it has occurred in the country before, the impact of this phenomenon can be seen in terms of the quality of crops and livestock produced during its occurrence.
“Crops that require abundant water resources, such as rice, are particularly affected when this phenomenon occurs. Therefore, the government has inc
reased the number of water retention areas for paddy field irrigation activities,” he told Bernama.
The Secretary of the Agriculture and Food Security Cluster of the National Council of Professors believes that agricultural practices utilising technology such as hydroponic systems should be adopted because they help reduce water usage by up to 90 per cent compared to conventional vegetable farming.
Additionally, he said that the use of closed-loop barns for the poultry industry also helps stabilise the country’s chicken production, as these closed-loop systems have a conducive environmental control system for poultry farming.
“The direct impact of the MBD on the poultry industry is seen in the decrease in poultry production itself because chicken raised in open barn systems are exposed to heat strokes due to this phenomenon,” he said.
In terms of the country’s main commodity industries, palm oil production is found to drop by 15 per cent during prolonged dry seasons.
“Peatland areas are exposed to proble
ms of wildfires due to extreme dry conditions. Open burning activities in these areas can trigger critical environmental disasters and will destroy all farming activities in peatland areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam, acknowledges that the productivity of palm oil will be affected if exposed to prolonged and extreme heat conditions such as a strong El Niño.
However, he noted that the current Southwest Monsoon (MBD) affecting the country is not expected to result in a strong El Niño.
“Based on observations of past production data, this MBD would not have a significant impact on palm oil production.
“At present, MPOB is still maintaining the price forecast made earlier in the year, with the average price of palm oil expected to remain between RM3,900 – RM4,200 per tonne,” he said.
Previously, the government agreed to allocate RM10 million to be used by state governments and relevant response agencies in addressing the impa
ct of the MBD, which began on May 17.
Related departments including the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Department of Environment, Ministry of Health, Department of Irrigation and Drainage and Department of Mineral and Geoscience have made preparations to face the MBD.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
