The agriculture sector contributed RM17.21 billion or 11.6 per cent to Johor’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said.
He said the crop subsector was the main contributor, accounting for 67.88 per cent, followed by the livestock subsector (25.36 per cent) and the fisheries subsector (6.59 per cent).
‘From a survey conducted in Johor, there was a farmer who switched from palm oil cultivation to vegetable farming. This farmer reported that the yield was nine times higher than that of palm oil.
‘I’m not suggesting that everyone should grow vegetables, but there are ways to increase vegetable supply when farmers adjust their crops based on current supply and demand factors,’ he told reporters after observing mussel farming activities in Kampung Orang Asli Kuala Masai here today.
He said the visit was part of the Agriculture Census 2024 programme, which has been conducted nationwide since July 7, covering crop cultivation, livestock, fisheries, forestry
and logging activities.
Mohd Uzir, who is also the Agriculture Census Commissioner, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia has conducted a census involving 35.3 per cent of the 423,195 operators in the agricultural sector nationwide.
‘The last comprehensive census of this kind was carried out in 2005, nearly two decades ago,’ he said, adding that Johor has been recognised as the largest mussel producer in the country, with an annual output of over 2,000 tonnes and an export value of RM4.7 million.
He said that the Agriculture Census 2024 is crucial for national planning and development, especially in assisting the government in devising and implementing better agricultural policies.
In addition, he said the data collected from the exercise would be instrumental in monitoring and evaluating the impact of agricultural programmes that have been implemented, as well as in designing strategies to boost the productivity and sustainability of the agriculture sector.
‘Among the data collected are the percent
age of technology adoption and the educational background of the operators. This information is essential for the government to elevate the agriculture sector to a more advanced level,’ he said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency