VEGETABLE GROWING IN MALAYSIA

Vegetable growing in Malaysia as an important industry in Food Production Sector. In 2006 39,659 hectare vegetable grown with total production 572,687 metric tones increase to about 40,980 in 2010 with total production about 534,370 mt (estimated). Johore is the largest area growing vegetables area in Malaysia with a total of 11,880 hectare (Ha) in 2009 and gross production 493,470 mt and it was 31% of national hectarage. The second largest state is Pahang with 6,540 hectare and gross production 85,460 mt in 2009 with highland vegetable from Cameroon Highland. The third largest producer was Kelantan (3,940 ha) followed by Sarawak (3,890 ha) and Sabah (2,650 ha). Trend of vegetable production was uncertain due to various factor from 572,687 mt (2006), 456,992 (2007), 490,963 (2008), 493,470 (2009) and estimated about 534,370 (2010).

From 22 types of vegetable grown in Malaysia seems that Brassica spp (Sawi) is the largest leafy vegetable grown with a total of 8,180 hectare in 2009 and total production about 118,610 mt.

Second largest variety was Kangkung (4,610 ha about 40,570 mt) followed by Cucumber (Timun) for 2,920 ha) and Chilli (2,740 ha produce about 31,240 mt). Other vegetables grown more tha 1,000 hectare annually was Long Bean (Kacang Panjang), Brinjal, Loofa and Tomato. For Salad, Pumpkins, Sweet shoot, Sengkuang, Kobis Bunga was less than 300 ha in 2009.

Bayam was popular grown in Johor State with Johor Bahru District (1,795 ha) , Kota Tinggi (460 ha) and Muar (301 ha) in 2008 and mostly for Singapore and Domestic market. Kangkung also grown in Johore in Johor Bahru (2,433 ha), Muar (432 ha) and Tumpat Kelantan (214 ha). For Cabbage it was grown in Cameroon Highland (510 ha), Ranau Sabah (250 ha) and Gua Musang (71 ha). For Sawi it was grown in Johor Bahru District (1,537 ha), Muar (735 ha) and Kota Tinggi (412 ha), For Tomato of course grown in Cameroon Highland (601 ha) followed by Lojing (Gua Musang Kelantan) and Ranau Sabah.

Vegetable production in Malaysia has a concentrated area such as in

Cameroon Highland, Lojing Kelantan and Ranau Sabah for Highland Vegetables. For lowland the area are in Senai Johor Bahru, Sengkang Muar, Simpang Renggam , Kluang and Kota Tinggi Johor and Kelantan. All vegetable growers monitored their activity by Department of Agriculture and NGO (Vegetable Association Growers of Malaysia) and FAMA (For tagging program). DOA impose Pesticide Extension Program to advise vegetable growers not to use excessive chemical for the market.

The vegetable production estimated to increase in area and quantity under 1oth Malaysian Plan with the NKEA project implementation. Few area are identified to produce Tomato, Lettuce and Bell Pepper especially at the highland area of Cameroon Highland and Lojing, Kelantan. The targeted market is for global export to meet the international demand. Malaysia import few million of temperate vegetable to meet the domestic demand. With the recent technology such as greenhouse and fertigation we hope some of the modified temperate vegetable able to produce locally. Vegetable industry in Malaysia has a potential future provided the infrastructure, technology, marketing access, land, manpower and skilled labour are in the place.

EAT FRESH VEGETABLE ............MORE HEALTHY....

GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLE....... BETTER FOR ECONOMY....

MORE LOCAL VEGETABLE..... BETTER INCOME FOR FARMERS

SO.....

By,

M Anem

DOA Muar