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SEREMBAN – The adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon on commodity crop yields, particularly palm oil, typically manifest several months after periods of sustained hot weather and reduced rainfall, according to Malaysian Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. The ministry, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is actively monitoring field operations and production trends to assess the evolving impact of weather patterns on the nation's vital commodities sector.
Minister Noraini Ahmad underscored the significant threat posed by prolonged heatwaves and dry spells. 'El Niño can certainly affect commodity crops if prolonged heat and dry spells persist,' she stated. A key priority for the ministry is to equip smallholders with the necessary tools and support to prepare for and mitigate these potential impacts on their harvests and livelihoods. She conveyed these remarks to reporters following her attendance at the Negeri Sembilan Salam Agrikomoditi Programme, which was officiated by Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) recently issued a warning, with director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip indicating over a 90 per cent probability of the El Niño phenomenon intensifying to a 'very strong category,' or 'Super El Niño,' between October and December.
In response to these concerns, Minister Noraini affirmed the ministry's commitment to reinforcing ground-level outreach initiatives. The goal is to ensure that smallholders have access to crucial government assistance and guidance, thereby enhancing their productivity, income, and the value-added output of their agri-commodity products. This proactive approach is deemed essential, as a considerable portion of the smallholder community remains unaware of available government aid, training programmes, and the application procedures. The recent Negeri Sembilan event, she added, served as a crucial platform to bridge this knowledge gap, bringing government services closer to the public and facilitating direct engagement to understand community needs.
During the same event, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim underscored the importance for the state to bolster its downstream activities. He emphasized the need for greater local economic value generation through processing, packaging, branding, and distribution, rather than solely depending on raw material production. He proposed the expansion of cluster-based farming models, encouraging growers and entrepreneurs to consolidate their produce, share resources, and streamline marketing strategies. Furthermore, Ismail called for the broader adoption of suitable technologies, including mechanisation, to reduce operational costs, increase yields, lessen reliance on manual labour, and simplify daily tasks for smallholders.
'I also urge the youth to view the agri-commodity sector as a field offering a bright future. The government will continuously provide support and assistance to agri-commodity entrepreneurs,' Ismail concluded, encouraging a new generation to participate in the sector.
Source: The Sun Malaysia