What impact will the Agricultural Census 2024 have on food security policies?

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Agricultural Census 2024 to Inform Food Security Policies

The Agricultural Census 2024 is expected to provide crucial data that will assist the government in formulating policies to guarantee the nation's food security. This initiative aims to update agricultural statistics, which have not been comprehensively gathered since 2005, addressing a significant gap in information that impacts policy development for a sector identified as a pressing concern.
Data Collection for Policy Formulation

The primary objective of the Agricultural Census 2024 is to gather detailed data and statistics pertaining to the fundamental agricultural sector. This updated information is intended to serve as a basis for the government to enact policies that will ensure the country's food security is robustly guaranteed. The collected data will offer a clearer picture of the current state of agriculture, enabling more targeted and effective policy interventions.
Addressing an Information Gap

A key rationale for conducting the census is the considerable time lapse since the last update, with agricultural data last being refreshed in 2005. This 18-year gap has left a void in the available statistics, potentially hindering the government's ability to make informed decisions. The census seeks to bridge this informational deficit, acknowledging that agricultural data is often marginalised in economic discussions, thereby necessitating new collections.
Supporting Agricultural Revolution and Entrepreneurs

Beyond food security, the census is also positioned to ensure Malaysia remains competitive within the ongoing agricultural revolution. By providing up-to-date statistics, the government can better formulate policies that not only support national objectives but also aid entrepreneurs within the basic agricultural sector. This includes participants from various agricultural sub-sectors such as crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and cooperatives.
Scope and Timeline of the Census

The census is scheduled to be carried out in Penang between July and September of the upcoming year, involving an estimated 10,000 respondents across diverse agricultural sectors. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) is leading this effort, with the Penang government actively seeking Cabinet approval for the proposal paper to commence the census. The seminar preceding this initiative involved 300 participants from agricultural agencies and operators, highlighting the collaborative nature of this data-gathering exercise.

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What impact will the Agricultural Census 2024 have on food security policies?

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