Promoting sustainable agriculture in Malaysia

Mr Nazrul Fahmi is brimming with new ideas from his recent study tour in Europe.

He is the Deputy Director of the Pesticide and Fertilizer Control Division, Department of Agriculture (DOA) Malaysia.

As part of his responsibilities, he evaluates pesticide products registered by companies to ensure they are safe for environment and health.

A range of agricultural activities in Malaysia are undertaken to maintain high quality of agricultural products to safeguard the environment and meet the needs of farmers and communities which includes pesticides and fertilizers.

Distribution and usage of counterfeit fertilizers is often a challenge in the country. In its efforts to address the issue, the DOA Malaysia has been working on a Parent Act (Malaysia’s version of Fertilizer Act), initially based on the same structure as the pesticides act.

Nazrul Fahmi visited Netherlands, Germany and Belgium during the study tour where he gained first-hand knowledge about innovative sustainable agriculture technologies utilized in these countries. The visit to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Germany was particularly helpful.

He also carried out field visits to an organic fertilizer producer and a mineral fertilizer production company. Adhering and mirroring the EU regulations regarding fertilizers would facilitate business between Malaysia and the EU.

“We learnt a lot about the regulations prevalent in the EU countries. The knowledge from there will help us inform our efforts as we work on our fertilizer act, “Nazrul Fahmi says.

He notes that the Parent Act recognizes only 3 categories including Organic/ Inorganic Fertilizer, Biofertilizer and Supplements while the EU Regulation is based on 7 functions and 15 components of the fertilizers.

We need to review the structure of our Act. We realized that there is a need to deep dive on certain elements for ensuring high quality fertilizers,” he elaborates on the insights from the tour.

He wishes to support efforts to upgrade Malaysia’s agriculture sustainability landscape as he believes that sustainable agriculture should be able to curtail impact on environment and natural resources.

Back home, Nazrul Fahmi has already contributed his observations from the study tour to his peers and senior team members to support the efforts underway for Malaysia’s Parent Act.

“I just wish that our local farmers are equipped to provide healthier produce.”

Nazrul Fahmi along with 3 other delegates participated in the study tour which was organized by the International Trade Centre through the European Union funded ARISE Plus Malaysia project.

About the project

The ARISE Plus Malaysia project supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the country through enhancing sustainable business and investment environments, improving product quality and competitiveness, as well as enhancing sustainable and internationally quality-compliant practices in the agri-food sector.

The three-year project is funded by the European Union and is a part of its national and regional ARISE Plus projects to support greater connectivity and economic integration in ASEAN. The project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.