Malaysia Produces 135.29 Metric Tonnes Of Shallots During 2024-2025

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Jun (Bernama) -- A total of 135.29 metric tonnes of shallots have been successfully produced throughout 2024 to 2025 in efforts to increase local production and reduce dependence on imports, the Dewan Rakyat was informed today.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said this was achieved through the development of cultivated areas spanning 155.29 hectares across the country in a bid to increase the self-sufficiency rate of shallots to 30 percent by 2030 to ensure the nation's food security.

He said Selangor was the most active state in the development of the shallot industry in 2025 with a cultivated area of 40 hectares, followed by Kelantan (30.85 hectares), Perak (28 hectares), Terengganu (one hectare) and Perlis (one hectare).

"The implementation of this shallot industry development focuses on the development of production areas with potential, the use of varieties suitable to the local environment, as well as the application of technology and modern agricultural practices to enhance productivity and product quality," he said.

"This development will continue in 2026 with the involvement of an additional cultivated area of 61.18 hectares," he said in response to a question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) during question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamad said to strengthen the effort, the Department of Agriculture is providing incentives to farmers through the Shallot Industry Development Programme under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the 2026-2030 period, involving assistance of RM50,000 for each hectare with a maximum limit of two hectares.

He said the assistance covers development projects scope and strengthening farm infrastructure and production activities, materials provision and agricultural inputs, machinery, equipment and farm tools supply, and production of quality seeds by Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).

Responding to a supplementary question from Roslan regarding efforts to produce larger onions or white onions, Mohamad said the government is also exploring that potential, but the effort requires more in-depth research as both crops require different environmental conditions compared to shallots. 

He said among the key factors identified is soil suitability, particularly soil containing approximately 30 percent sand and such soil is abundant on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and several other areas.

In addition, he said climate factors, particularly the requirement for drier areas, are among the key aspects that need to be studied before cultivation can be expanded commercially.

"With current weather changes, areas that are drier may be more suitable for garlic cultivation in the future, but this depends on research conducted by the Agriculture Department and MARDI. This effort is still new and involves considerable trial, research and technology development, with elements of trial and error," he said.

He added that production cost of shallots remains high at an estimated average of approximately RM4.50 per kilogramme, however farmers still have the potential to make a profit should the produce be sold at a price higher than the production cost.

-- BERNAMA