CHAPTER 7: INNOVATION AND CHALLENGES IN MALAYSIAN AGRICULTURE

7.1 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY

Recently , much of technological innovations in agriculture have been introduced from local research findings from government agencies such as MARDI, MPOB, MCB, MRB, FRIM and etc. From the private sector also have been introduced such as  Golden Hope, Sime Darby, IOI, Guthrie and etc.

OIL PALM

The first commercial planting was done in 1911 at Tenammaran Estate, Kuala Selangor. In 1997, Malaysia’s export accounted for 52% of world production and 64% of world oil export. Research has succeeded in improving the yield of oil palm to 35 tonnes fresh fruit bunches per hectare per year by using Tenera Hybrid bred from the crossing of Dura and Pisifera varieties in early years.

RUBBER

A lot of technological innovations have been developed in the rubber industry. The MRB has introduced a new innovation in rubber tapping called puncture tapping or microtapping which can result in an increased production of latex. It produces yield with hormonal stimulation comparable to that of conventional excision tapping.

COCOA

Malaysia is forced to import cocoa beans from the neighbouring Indonesia to fulfill the requirement of the many processing factories. In 2002, a biotechnology division of the MCB was established. This division aims to implement research and development in cocoa biotechnology as wellas to provided services to the entire cocoa industry by developing a new technology, capacity building and onnovasion.

PADI

Malaysia achieves only 70% self-sufficiently in rice. Mechanisation of rice production and the Consolidation of small holdings to group farming and estisation were intensified to promote commercialization and greater private sector involvement. The use of a specially formulated chemical fertilizer in trial plots in Kedah, Perlis and Selangor was successful in doubling padi yield and producing better quality rice. Vita grow is a foliar and balanced plant nutrients that enchances growth of padi, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.

LIVESTOCK

The livestock industry grew at the rate of 3.1% per annum from RM953 milion in 1995 to RM1.1 billion in 2000. Integration is an effective way of reducing management cost by allowing the livestock to eat away the weeds and having the dung from the animals distributed all over the plantation as a fertilizer.

FISHERIES

Particularly deep sea fishing ang aquaculture have received government incentives to futher commercialized and to establish economy of scale by consolidating small ventures. Aquaculture is the cultivation of natural produce of water and also known as aquafarming.

7.2 FUTURE CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURE

PRICE

Increase in the price of fertilizers, seeds, tools and equipments has affected the cost of agricultural production.

CROP CHOISE

Big conglomerates are not interested in agriculture other than planting oil palm and rubber. Not many large companies are involved in food crops.