KLANG, July 29 — A comprehensive approach needs to be introduced to attract and encourage young people to join the agricultural sector, said Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
The move is crucial following the Selangor 2024 Agricultural Census Interim Report, which shows that the majority of farmers in the state are now aged 46 and above.
He said that apart from promising high returns, the agricultural sector also needs to be seen as a 'cool' activity from the perspective of young people.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari speaks to the press during the launch of the Selangor 2024 Agricultural Census Interim Report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia at the Wyndham Acmar Klang Hotel in Klang on July 29, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
"There was once a 'trend' of young people, including engineers, getting involved in agriculture, but that did not continue.
"Following that, we have to make agriculture 'cool', a good activity because it brings high yields or returns," Amirudin told the press after launching the Selangor 2024 Agricultural Census Interim Report today.
Also present at the event was the Department of Statistics Malaysia's (DOSM) Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin, who is also the Commissioner of the 2024 Agricultural Census.
Earlier, the Selangor DOSM said the majority of agricultural entrepreneurs in Selangor or 77.3 per cent, were aged 46 and above, while 44.5 per cent were aged 60 and above.
The Menteri Besar added that the policy to encourage young people to become farmers was expected to be implemented in the state budget or the upcoming Selangor Plan.
The census' findings would also be examined by the state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim, the Selangor Agriculture Department, and other related departments, to improve the policies or guidelines for the sector.
— Bernama
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State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim (third from left) and Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (centre) officiate the launch of the Selangor 2024 Agricultural Census Interim Report at the Wyndham Acmar Klang Hotel in Klang on July 29, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
