Floriculture Industry Needs to be Elevated as a High-Value Sub-Sector – Dr Wan Azizah
KUALA LUMPUR: The floriculture industry is not merely about showcasing aesthetics and beauty; on the contrary, it is a high-value sub-sector capable of contributing to the national economy, the income of local entrepreneurs, family empowerment, and the food security agenda.
The Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said that efforts and promotions by various parties, particularly the Department of Agriculture, need to be continuously intensified to open up broader economic opportunities for young entrepreneurs, women, and smallholders.
The Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament said the development of the industry could also bring spillover benefits to the agro-tourism sector, e-commerce, and urban landscaping.
“It is a high-value sub-sector that contributes significantly to the national economy, the income of local entrepreneurs, family empowerment, and the food security agenda,” she said when officiating the Department of Agriculture’s Agrifood Floriculture Magica Garden, in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 at MAEPS in Serdang, Selangor today.
Dr Wan Azizah said the country’s floriculture industry contributed RM3.1 billion to the nation’s total export value for the period of 2018 to 2024, thus placing Malaysia in 10th position as a global floriculture exporter and a key leader in the ASEAN region.
Dr Wan Azizah also encouraged a shift from conventional production to a smart technology-based value chain to increase production and yield, promote products, and ensure quality.
She said cooperation between the government, research institutions, and the private sector is important to strengthen logistics networks and the country’s modern nursery infrastructure.
Meanwhile, she expressed hope that initiatives and creative efforts such as the Magica Garden would continue to act as a catalyst for the development of a sustainable, competitive, and world-class local floriculture industry.
Dr Wan Azizah is confident that such efforts also contribute to the success of MAHA 2026, particularly in attracting interest and encouraging more farmers and young entrepreneurs to venture into the floriculture field.
BERNAMA