Reinforcing the control mechanism for fertilizers

As the Department of Agriculture (DoA) prepares to introduce the Fertilizer Act - a first for Malaysia, efforts are also underway to promote sustainable agriculture practices in Malaysia by building the capacities of agriculture personnel.

This timely support includes technical assistance to DoA for reinforcing the control mechanism for fertilizers, including management of counterfeit fertilizers, to implement the Fertilizer Act and gaining a better understanding of EU fertilizer regulation (EU 2019/1009) to promote exports.

Malaysia is currently practicing “self-regulation” by the fertilizer industry. The Act will be used to address current issues pervading the fertilizer industry in Malaysia, which are impacting the Malaysian fertiliser industry, and which could prevent attaining the goals of sustainable agriculture.

Through the ARISE Plus Malaysia project that is implemented by the International Trade Centre, a series of trainings have supported the country towards a full-fledged pragmatic registration framework for fertilizers that will align Malaysia with the other countries in the ASEAN region, which already have the registration scheme in place.

The training workshop on supplements and biofertilizer production especially on standards and quality control included onsite visits to commercial fertilizer production sites and laboratories (Sinergi Perdana, ERAS and All Cosmos) in Subang Jaya in Selangor and Pasir Gudang in Johor, Malaysia.

DOA officers gained a concrete and practical understanding of production methods, quality control measures practiced in factories. Most of the 35 participants indicated that this was their first visit to factories and that such visits were very beneficial.

Mr Lim Keat Seong, Soil Resource Management Division of the Department of Agriculture (DOA) extension in Pulau Pinang said: “ I have gained better understanding and knowledge on fertilizers through this training and field visits. It will enable me to do my job better in the future, especially when the Fertilizer Act is enforced.”

“I will use the knowledge gained in the training to educate our farmers and targeted audience in our extension work activities related to the fertilizer act,” added Ms Nur Liyana Binti Mohd Napiah, Soil Resource Management Division of DOA Putrajaya office.

These endeavours will position Malaysia to be well equipped on various developments entailing trade-related matters and firmer integration amongst Malaysia, ASEAN (i.e. AEC Blueprint 2025) and with the EU.

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.