In this chapter we learned about
CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIAN AGRICULTURE
the agriculture sector in Malaysia can be explained by two:
INDUSTRIAL CROPS.
Highlighted issue for industrial crops were about the ISSUE IN OIL PALM PLANTATION IN MALAYSIA.
Oil palms are originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, but were brought to South-East Asia at the beginning of the 20th century.Malaysia was the world's largest producer of palm oil by the middle 20th century and this stayed true until the Indonesian government began investing into the industry in the 1970s.This expansion officially pushed the country into the lead spot for top producer in 2007 and the nation now supplies the majority of the world's growing demand for this cheap edible. Palm oil plantation in Malaysia which the production is dominated by major players such as FELDA，IOI，SIME DARBY，FELCRA，ASIATIC，KULIN, GOLDEN HOPE and other companies.Together, they own up to 60% of the land that is planted with oil palm trees in Malaysia. 60% of the Malaysia palm oil industry is controlled by large companies, 26% by nationalized entities and the remaining of 14% by the owners of smaller plantations.
The issues in palm oil plantation:
- 1) Deforestation:
- Oil palm is expanded through the removal of forests.
- Much of the land planted to oil palm has been logged before clearing for oil palm.
- Often involves the burning of invaluable timber and remaining forest undergrowth.
- The oil palm cultivated as a mono crop is responsible for the loss of biodiversity when it replaces native vegetation and it has 25 years of productive life.
- 2) Sustainability:
- - Sustainable palm oil is an approach to oil palm agriculture that aims to produce palm oil without causing deforestation.
- Oil palm with large quantities of fertilizers and pesticides used are not sustainable
- 3) Traceability:
- The larger quantities of chemical used to contribute to the contamination of chemicals in the palm oil.
- - On the contrary, the low quantities of chemicals used efficiently actually reduced the probability of contamination of the oil.
- Oil palm plantations are the major contributor to forest fires and periodic haze
- As part of the oil palm good agriculture practice (OPGAP), zero burning had been introduced into the plantation and enforced since 1987 under the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974.
- Replanting now involves chipping the old oil palm trunk and fronds and the residues are placed in the inter-rows as a biomass mulch to slowly release nutrients for the newly replanted oil palm crop. The OPGAP will pave a way for sustainable production in the field
- 5) Oil palm destroys carbon.
- The oil palm plantation with its use of fertilizers, pesticides, diesel, etc is a net emitter of CO2.
- On the contrary, carbon sequestration through well managed LULUCF practice accumulates more carbon over its 25 years of the life cycle, and at the same time improves the livelihood of thousands of workers by increasing the carbon sinks and improving the sustainable use on natural resources available in the local community.
- Further, with a use of more efficient boilers in mill processing there is greater energy efficiency and the excess energy is helped in reducing the use of fossil fuels and thereby reduces GHG emissions.
- 6) Oil palm is destructive to the local community:
- Indigenous people are displaced from their land as a result of the expansion of oil palm areas.
- In Malaysia oil palm is a major contributor to the rural employment and economy through the plantations and small holder schemes. Many children of the initial land scheme settlers are qualified and trained professionals working in other jobs resulting in labor shortages that dictate employment of foreign labor
NEW SOURCE OF GROWTH FOR MALAYSIAN AGRICULTURE
Herbs & Spice, Pharmaceuticals, Natural Products
TONGKAT ALI
Botanical name: Eurycoma long folio
Eurycoma lungi folia (commonly called Tongkat all or pack bump) is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and, to a lesser extent, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Many of the common names refer to the plant's medicinal use and extreme bitterness. Penawar hit translates simply as "bitter charm" or "bitter medicine".
Botanical description
A medium size slender shrub reaching 10 m in height, often unbranched with reddish brown petioles. Leaves compound, even-pinnate reaching 1 m in length. Each compound leaf consists of 30-40 leaflets, lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate. Each leaflet is about 5–20 cm long, 1.5–6 cm wide, much paler on the ventral side. Inflorescence axillary, in large brownish red panicle, very pubescent with very fine, soft, glandular trichomes. Flowers are hermaphrodite. Petals small, very fine pubescent. Drupe hard, ovoid yellowish brown when young and brownish red when ripe.
Uses of Tongkat Ali
Antimalarial, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial and antipyretic.
HEMPEDU BUMI
Botanical name : Andrographis paniculate
- Andrographis paniculate is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in taste in all parts of the plant body. In Malaysia, it is known as Hempedu Bumi, which literally means 'bile of earth' since it is one of the most bitter plants that are used in traditional medicine.
Botanical Description
- Andrographis paniculate grows erect to a height of 30–110 cm in moist, shady places. The slender stem is dark green, squared in cross-section with longitudinal furrows and wings along the angles. The lance-shaped leaves have hairless blades measuring up to 8 centimeters long by 2.5 wide. The small flowers are borne in spreading racemes. The fruit is a capsule around 2 centimeters long and a few millimeters wide. It contains many yellow-brown seeds.
- It does best in a sunny location. The seeds are sown during May and June (northern hemisphere). The seedlings are transplanted at a distance of 60 cm x 30 cm
- Treatment of the gastro-intestinal tract and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, and a variety of other chronic and infectious diseases
KACIP FATIMAH
Botanical name: Lavista Pumila
Botanical description
- Labisia is a herbaceous plant that grows in low clusters, with solitary or rarely branching stems and fine, hairy roots. The leaves are oblong-shaped, hairy on its underside and can grow to 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 in) in length. The inflorescence is brown and 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) long. The plant is indigenous to Malaysia but also found in Sumatera, Java, and Borneo.Three varieties of Labisia have been described: var. Atlanta, var. Lanceolata dan var Pumila.
- The popular name for the plant is kacip fatimah ("Fatimah's betel cutter"). Other common names of the plant include "Selusoh Fatimah", "pokok pinggang", "rumput palis", "tadah matahari", "mata pelanduk rimba", "bunga belungkas hutan", "remoyan batu" and Sangkoh.
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DUKUNG ANAK
Botanical name : Phyllanthus niruri
- Phyllanthus niruri is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas, known by the common names gale of the wind, stonebreaker or seed-under-leaf. It is a relative of the spurges, belonging to the Phyllanthus genus of Family Phyllanthaceae.
- It grows 50 to 70 centimeters tall and bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. It bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed with red. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.
- Used for problems of the stomach, genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen. In Malaysia its used to treat diabetes, hypertension, diarrhea, itchiness, jaundice and as antidote for insect bites.
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MISAI KUCING
botanical names : Orthosiphon stamineus
- Orthosiphon stamineus is an herb that is widely grown in tropical areas. It is also known as Orthosiphon aristatus. The plant can be identified by its white or purple colored flowers that resembles cat whiskers. It is also commonly referred as "Misai Kucing" which means cat whiskers. The herb is popularly known as Java tea and is used widely in the form of herbal tea in Asia Java tea was possibly introduced to the West in the early 20th century. The brewing of Java tea is similar to that for other teas. It is soaked in hot boiling water for about three minutes, and honey or milk is then added. It can be easily prepared as garden tea from the dried leaves. There are quite a number of commercial products derived from Misai Kucing. Cultivation areas and post-harvesting method can significantly affect the quality of the herb.
- Used as an analgesic, diuretic, astringent and antiemetic; used to treat conditions like bronchitis, small pox, and diarrhea and as a brain tonic.
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PEGAGA
Botanical name: Centella asiatica
- Centella asiatica, commonly known as centella and gotu kola, is a small, herbaceous, frost-tender perennial plant of the family Mackinlayaceae or subfamily Mackinlayoideae of family Apiaceae, and is native to wetlands in Asia. It is used as a medicinal herb in Ayurveda medicine, traditional African medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine. It is also known as the Asiatic pennywort or Indian pennywort in English, among various other names in other languages.
- Habitat
- Centella asiatica is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and wetland regions of the Southeastern US. Because the plant is aquatic, it is especially sensitive to biological and chemical pollutants in the water, which may be absorbed into the plant
- Uses of Pegaga
- It is used to heal wounds, improve mental clarity, improve mental clarity, and treat skin. It can also boost mental activity and treat high blood pressure, rheumatism, fever, and nervous disorders.
MAS COTEK
- Mas Cotek plants grow wild in eastern peninsular Malaysia and it is popular among traditional medical practitioners. The trees can be found in the jungle in Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan.
- It also can be found grew in the oil palm plantation in Perak, Selangor and Johor.
- Mas Cotek is slowly receiving international recognition for its medicinal values and health benefits. Based on traditional knowledge the leaves, fruits, stems and roots of Mas Cotek display healing,palliative and preventative properties.
- Used to help womb contraction and as aphrodisiac for men and women, reduce cholesterol and blood sugar level.
AGRICULTURE MARKETING.
Agriculture is no longer the most important sector of the Malaysian economy, contributing 12% of GDP in 2001 (down from 38% in 1960) and occupying about 16% of the employed work force in that year. Nevertheless, agriculture still accounted for 6.3% of export earnings in 1997. Diversification—including development of such newer crops as oil palm, cocoa, and pineapples—is promoted by the government. Much of Sabah and Sarawak is covered with dense jungle and is not conducive to farming. Peninsular Malaysia, however, is predominantly an agricultural region. Cultivation is carried out on the coastal plains, river valleys, and foothills.
Domestic rice furnishes Peninsular Malaysia with about 80% of its requirements; most of the rice supply for Sabah and Sarawak, however, must be imported. Milled rice production for 1999 totaled 1,934,000 tons, of which about 70% came from Peninsular Malaysia. Rubber production totaled 886,000 tons in 1999. The government, through the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, has concentrated on improving production, but many estates have switched to production of the more profitable oil palm. Although Malaysia produced 14% of the world's rubber in 1999, and typically accounts for over one-third of the world's rubber exports, rubber is no longer the country's primary source of export income. Competition from Thailand and Indonesia has recently diminished the Malaysian market share for rubber.
Production of palm oil and palm kernel oil totaled 10,553,000 and 3,026,000 tons respectively in 1999, more than any other country in the world. More than 90% of all rubber and palm oil is produced in Peninsular Malaysia. Black and white peppers are grown on Sarawak; pepper exports amounted to $49.3 million in 2001. Output of lesser agricultural products in 1999 included copra, 13,000 tons; coconuts, 711,000 tons; cocoa, 100,000 tons; and pineapple, 143,000 tons.
Herbs & Spice, Pharmaceuticals, Natural Products
TONGKAT ALI
Botanical name: Eurycoma long folio
Eurycoma lungi folia (commonly called Tongkat all or pack bump) is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and, to a lesser extent, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Many of the common names refer to the plant's medicinal use and extreme bitterness. Penawar hit translates simply as "bitter charm" or "bitter medicine".
Botanical description
A medium size slender shrub reaching 10 m in height, often unbranched with reddish brown petioles. Leaves compound, even-pinnate reaching 1 m in length. Each compound leaf consists of 30-40 leaflets, lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate. Each leaflet is about 5–20 cm long, 1.5–6 cm wide, much paler on the ventral side. Inflorescence axillary, in large brownish red panicle, very pubescent with very fine, soft, glandular trichomes. Flowers are hermaphrodite. Petals small, very fine pubescent. Drupe hard, ovoid yellowish brown when young and brownish red when ripe.
Uses of Tongkat Ali
Antimalarial, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial and antipyretic.
HEMPEDU BUMI
Botanical name : Andrographis paniculate
- Andrographis paniculate is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in taste in all parts of the plant body. In Malaysia, it is known as Hempedu Bumi, which literally means 'bile of earth' since it is one of the most bitter plants that are used in traditional medicine.
Botanical Description
- Andrographis paniculate grows erect to a height of 30–110 cm in moist, shady places. The slender stem is dark green, squared in cross-section with longitudinal furrows and wings along the angles. The lance-shaped leaves have hairless blades measuring up to 8 centimeters long by 2.5 wide. The small flowers are borne in spreading racemes. The fruit is a capsule around 2 centimeters long and a few millimeters wide. It contains many yellow-brown seeds.
- It does best in a sunny location. The seeds are sown during May and June (northern hemisphere). The seedlings are transplanted at a distance of 60 cm x 30 cm
- Treatment of the gastro-intestinal tract and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, and a variety of other chronic and infectious diseases
KACIP FATIMAH
Botanical name: Lavista Pumila
Botanical description
- Labisia is a herbaceous plant that grows in low clusters, with solitary or rarely branching stems and fine, hairy roots. The leaves are oblong-shaped, hairy on its underside and can grow to 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 in) in length. The inflorescence is brown and 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) long. The plant is indigenous to Malaysia but also found in Sumatera, Java, and Borneo.Three varieties of Labisia have been described: var. Atlanta, var. Lanceolata dan var Pumila.
- The popular name for the plant is kacip fatimah ("Fatimah's betel cutter"). Other common names of the plant include "Selusoh Fatimah", "pokok pinggang", "rumput palis", "tadah matahari", "mata pelanduk rimba", "bunga belungkas hutan", "remoyan batu" and Sangkoh.
DUKUNG ANAK
Botanical name : Phyllanthus niruri
- Phyllanthus niruri is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas, known by the common names gale of the wind, stonebreaker or seed-under-leaf. It is a relative of the spurges, belonging to the Phyllanthus genus of Family Phyllanthaceae.
- It grows 50 to 70 centimeters tall and bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. It bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed with red. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.
- Used for problems of the stomach, genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen. In Malaysia its used to treat diabetes, hypertension, diarrhea, itchiness, jaundice and as antidote for insect bites.
MISAI KUCING
botanical names : Orthosiphon stamineus
- Orthosiphon stamineus is an herb that is widely grown in tropical areas. It is also known as Orthosiphon aristatus. The plant can be identified by its white or purple colored flowers that resembles cat whiskers. It is also commonly referred as "Misai Kucing" which means cat whiskers. The herb is popularly known as Java tea and is used widely in the form of herbal tea in Asia Java tea was possibly introduced to the West in the early 20th century. The brewing of Java tea is similar to that for other teas. It is soaked in hot boiling water for about three minutes, and honey or milk is then added. It can be easily prepared as garden tea from the dried leaves. There are quite a number of commercial products derived from Misai Kucing. Cultivation areas and post-harvesting method can significantly affect the quality of the herb.
- Used as an analgesic, diuretic, astringent and antiemetic; used to treat conditions like bronchitis, small pox, and diarrhea and as a brain tonic.
PEGAGA
Botanical name: Centella asiatica
- Centella asiatica, commonly known as centella and gotu kola, is a small, herbaceous, frost-tender perennial plant of the family Mackinlayaceae or subfamily Mackinlayoideae of family Apiaceae, and is native to wetlands in Asia. It is used as a medicinal herb in Ayurveda medicine, traditional African medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine. It is also known as the Asiatic pennywort or Indian pennywort in English, among various other names in other languages.
- Habitat
- Centella asiatica is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and wetland regions of the Southeastern US. Because the plant is aquatic, it is especially sensitive to biological and chemical pollutants in the water, which may be absorbed into the plant
- Uses of Pegaga
- It is used to heal wounds, improve mental clarity, improve mental clarity, and treat skin. It can also boost mental activity and treat high blood pressure, rheumatism, fever, and nervous disorders.
MAS COTEK
- Mas Cotek plants grow wild in eastern peninsular Malaysia and it is popular among traditional medical practitioners. The trees can be found in the jungle in Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan.
- It also can be found grew in the oil palm plantation in Perak, Selangor and Johor.
- Mas Cotek is slowly receiving international recognition for its medicinal values and health benefits. Based on traditional knowledge the leaves, fruits, stems and roots of Mas Cotek display healing,palliative and preventative properties.
- Used to help womb contraction and as aphrodisiac for men and women, reduce cholesterol and blood sugar level.
AGRICULTURE MARKETING.
Agriculture is no longer the most important sector of the Malaysian economy, contributing 12% of GDP in 2001 (down from 38% in 1960) and occupying about 16% of the employed work force in that year. Nevertheless, agriculture still accounted for 6.3% of export earnings in 1997. Diversification—including development of such newer crops as oil palm, cocoa, and pineapples—is promoted by the government. Much of Sabah and Sarawak is covered with dense jungle and is not conducive to farming. Peninsular Malaysia, however, is predominantly an agricultural region. Cultivation is carried out on the coastal plains, river valleys, and foothills.
Domestic rice furnishes Peninsular Malaysia with about 80% of its requirements; most of the rice supply for Sabah and Sarawak, however, must be imported. Milled rice production for 1999 totaled 1,934,000 tons, of which about 70% came from Peninsular Malaysia. Rubber production totaled 886,000 tons in 1999. The government, through the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, has concentrated on improving production, but many estates have switched to production of the more profitable oil palm. Although Malaysia produced 14% of the world's rubber in 1999, and typically accounts for over one-third of the world's rubber exports, rubber is no longer the country's primary source of export income. Competition from Thailand and Indonesia has recently diminished the Malaysian market share for rubber.
Production of palm oil and palm kernel oil totaled 10,553,000 and 3,026,000 tons respectively in 1999, more than any other country in the world. More than 90% of all rubber and palm oil is produced in Peninsular Malaysia. Black and white peppers are grown on Sarawak; pepper exports amounted to $49.3 million in 2001. Output of lesser agricultural products in 1999 included copra, 13,000 tons; coconuts, 711,000 tons; cocoa, 100,000 tons; and pineapple, 143,000 tons.
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