Kuala lumpur: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) has proposed that the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) conduct short-term agricultural censuses every two to four years to ensure data is regularly updated, enabling more effective policy coordination. KPKM secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said this follows the findings of the 2024 Agriculture Census, which provides comprehensive data not only at the national level but also at district levels nationwide.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Isham discussed with DOSM how future censuses can be implemented. For federal-level policymaking, long-term statistics over five to 10 years are necessary. However, for implementation at the state and district levels, data must be updated more frequently. Therefore, DOSM is encouraged to conduct smaller-scale censuses periodically, as large-scale surveys are costly.
Isham stated that the 2024 Agriculture Census offers a comprehensive picture of agricultural patterns, including the number of farmers, types of crops, and land ownership at the district level. With hyperlocal data, such as in Senaling, Kuala Pilah, the state government can conduct gap analysis, and village heads can make better-informed decisions to increase yields.
The 2024 census, conducted by DOSM, gathered data on agricultural holdings, including demographic profiles, crop yields, input costs, farm sizes, land use and ownership, mechanisation, and technology adoption. This information is crucial for formulating both short- and long-term policies and programmes to improve food security, productivity, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof previously stated that short-term agricultural surveys would be carried out periodically starting in 2026 to improve data availability and support continuous monitoring of the sector.
Commenting on other findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census, Isham mentioned that KPKM plans to introduce a new farm management model that brings landowners and smallholders together under cooperatives or associations, allowing government assistance to be distributed collectively for greater impact. He emphasized that grouping smallholders and consolidating land could improve productivity and income, relying on accurate, up-to-date data and close collaboration between federal and state governments and local farming communities.