ARAU: ARAU: The Agriculture Census 2024, which begins today by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), is critical in producing data findings and statistics in managing agricultural concerns and national food security.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said more than 5,000 officers from DOSM would be involved in the three-month-long census to gather data in various sub-sectors, including poultry, fisheries, forestry and logging.
"This census is a necessity, especially in light of global challenges such as a shortage of agricultural production and why some countries are prohibiting the export of their commodities.
"We need this information and data as a point of reference to modernise our agricultural sector," Uzir told reporters after a visit to a 'pegaga' farmer at Kampung Paya Burma in Mata Ayer here today.
Present was Perlis DOSM director Hamka Ismail.
The census was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof on July 4. The last census was carried out 19 years ago.
Uzir said more than 1.3 million operators and households were involved in the agricultural sector and that the department would gather data from them, including on production, profiling, demographics and land use techniques.
"This information will be a valuable input for the government in drafting policies and programmes.
"The data will also be an important reference for more than 20,000 companies and business organisations involved in the agricultural sector."
Uzir also said the department had identified 14,800 households in Perlis that were involved in agricultural activities and own agricultural land.
"This data will help us not only to view issues from a macro perspective, but also directly from the farmers based on their locality, while enabling the government to carry out improvements in the sector.
"In short, the data gathered from the farmers will benefit them and the people at large through improved agricultural production."
Uzir added that the findings from the census were expected to be available by the first quarter of next year.
Agriculture industry players may visit mycensus.gov.my for more information.