CAP Seeks Stronger Support For Value-added Kenaf Production To Boost Farmers' Income

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has called for stronger support to advance value-added kenaf production, as rising demand and diverse industrial uses could significantly improve farmers’ income and contribute to the country’s green economy ambitions.

In a statement today, CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said Malaysia’s kenaf sector has expanded steadily in recent years, with 623 growers cultivating 744 hectares (ha) in 2023, while the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) aims to increase this to 2,500 ha by 2026, or about 25,000 tonnes in estimated annual harvest.

He said the market value of kenaf products also showed strong growth. It rose to RM8.88 million in 2023 against RM5.57 million in 2022. 

"As at the second quarter of this year, it reached RM6.28 million, a 74 per cent rise versus a year ago.

“While expanding the cultivated area is important, Malaysia’s real opportunity lies in moving towards value-added production, which can substantially raise farmers’ earnings.

“Selling raw stalks brings modest returns, but processing them into higher-value products allows farmers to earn more from the same crop,” he said. 

Mohideen said kenaf fibres are increasingly used in sectors such as automotive components, green construction materials, packaging, biocomposites and paper, reflecting growing global demand for natural and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products.

He added that kenaf leaves, which are high in protein, could also be sold as animal feed, while seeds show potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications based on early research. Farmers could, therefore, generate additional revenue streams by utilising parts of the plant that might otherwise be discarded.

Government agencies, including LKTN, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Forest Research Institute Malaysia and several local universities, are working to accelerate the shift towards higher-value kenaf products through improved planting materials, better processing techniques and by linking farmers with industrial buyers.

He said CAP supports efforts by LKTN and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board to promote MyMS certification for kenaf-based products to enhance export competitiveness and build buyer confidence.

“These developments show that value-added kenaf production has the potential not only to increase farmers’ income but also to drive rural transformation and support Malaysia’s broader economic and environmental goals,” he added.

-- BERNAMA